Six Female Authors Triumph at 2026 Inclusive Books for Children Awards with £30,000 Prize Fund
The 2026 Inclusive Books for Children (IBC) awards have announced their winners, with six female authors and illustrators taking home the prestigious honors. The literacy charity's prizes, which celebrate the best UK-published inclusive titles for children aged one to nine, awarded a total prize fund of £30,000 to the recipients. This year marks the second consecutive time since the awards' inception in 2023 that all winners have been women, highlighting a significant trend in the industry.
Winning Titles That Push Boundaries in Children's Literature
The awards recognized outstanding works across three categories, each praised for their innovative approach to inclusivity. In the children's fiction category, Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy emerged victorious. This graphic novel tells the story of a young Black girl with a passion for science, combining engaging visuals with a compelling narrative.
The picture book award went to The Beautiful Layers of Me by Sophia Payne and Ruchi Mhasane. This book follows a young girl as she gains the confidence to wear a salwar kameez for the first time, offering a heartfelt exploration of cultural identity and self-acceptance.
In the baby and toddler category, Let's Play by Alex Strick, Annie Kubler, and Sarah Dellow was honored. This touch-and-feel book incorporates words in signs and braille, making it accessible and engaging for young readers with diverse needs.
Judges Praise Authentic Representation and Storytelling
A panel of educators, authors, and illustrators selected the winning titles, commending them for their exceptional quality. Judge Mei Matsuoka, an illustrator and author, remarked, "These books are pushing boundaries and opening pathways into worlds that need to be represented more. I was delighted to see how inclusivity was incorporated into sweet, funny, and engaging stories without overpowering them."
According to the IBC, judges highlighted the winners for their compelling storytelling, strong visual composition, and authentic representation. These elements were key in selecting books that not only entertain but also foster a sense of belonging among young readers.
Inaugural Children's Choice Awards Encourage Reading for Pleasure
This year also saw the introduction of the inaugural children's choice awards, a pilot scheme designed to complement the main prizes and promote reading for enjoyment. Primary school pupils across the country voted for their favorites, with winners including Won't Go! by Sumana Seeboruth and Fotini Tikkou, Cloud Boy by Greg Stobbs, and the main prize winner, Supa Nova.
The announcement of these awards coincides with the government's National Year of Reading campaign, which aims to encourage children to read by following their interests and passions. This initiative is particularly timely, as recent research by the National Literacy Trust reveals that reading enjoyment among children and young people is at its lowest recorded level. Only one in three individuals aged eight to 18 reported enjoying reading "very much" or "quite a lot."
Addressing Declines in Representation in Children's Publishing
The IBC awards come against a backdrop of concerning trends in children's literature. A 2025 report by the charity found that the number of children's books featuring a Black main character dropped by more than a fifth between 2023 and 2024. Out of 2,721 books surveyed, only 51 (1.9%) featured a Black main character, representing a 21.5% decline from the previous year.
The charity described these findings as a "catastrophic decline in Black representation" and noted that the report exposed "stark inequalities" in UK children's publishing. This underscores the critical importance of awards like the IBC in promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry.
The winning authors and illustrators will present their work at the Hay festival in May, offering a platform to showcase these groundbreaking titles to a wider audience. As the literary community continues to grapple with issues of representation, the IBC awards serve as a beacon of progress, celebrating works that enrich the lives of young readers through inclusive and authentic storytelling.
