New publishing talent from across the UK has been recognised in the 12th annual shortlist for Oscar’s Book Prize.
The £10,000 award for the best picture book for young children this year spotlights authors and illustrators based from Cornwall to North Yorkshire.
The prize, which is supported by Amazon and the London Standard, also includes a strong showing for London creators on its six-strong shortlist. The titles chosen feature a full-colour menagerie of characters, including tigers and horses, and also subtly address topics including temptation, autism and spirituality.
The Oscar’s Book Prize winner will be announced at a London event on May 6. The judging panel includes CBeebies presenter Ben Cajee, along with the bestselling Smriti Halls and Imogen Russell Williams, an expert reviewer with a comprehensive knowledge of classic and contemporary children’s literature.
Oscar’s Book Prize is an annual prize for the best illustrated book for young children. It champions magical storytelling by authors and illustrators, best shared between young children and their parents.
It is awarded in memory of book-loving Oscar Ashton, who died in 2012 of an undiagnosed heart condition aged three and a half. Founded by his parents James Ashton and Viveka Alvestrand, the prize has been running since 2014.
“We know the children’s publishing industry is centred on London but it’s gratifying to see so many talented writers and illustrators from across the country getting recognised on our 12th annual shortlist,” said Mr Ashton.
“Once again our judges had a hard task selecting their favourites plus an eventual winner, which goes to show just how creative and diverse this books category is. These stories do a beautiful job of spreading joy and getting youngsters thinking and we hope many parents and children will pick them up to share.”
The judging panel includes Ben Cajee, an experienced television and radio presenter, voiceover artist, writer and event host. He’s been a main presenter on CBeebies since 2015 and has gone on to front Blue Peter, Bitesize Daily, Live Lessons, Presentation and Match of the Day Kickabout on CBBC.
Shortlist for Oscar’s Book Prize 2025
All You Need to Know About Dogs by Fred Blunt (Happy Yak) - Wales
Gina Kaminski Rescues the Giant by Craig Barr-Green and Francis Martin (Little Tiger) - Truro and Brierfield
Hank Goes Honk by Maudie Powell-Tuck and Duncan Beedie (Little Tiger) - London and Bristol
Just the Two of Us by Polly Noakes (Andersen Press) - Yorkshire
Terrible Horses by Raymond Antrobus and Ken Wilson-Max (Walker) - London and Kent
There’s a Tiger on the Train by Mariesa Dulak and Rebecca Cobb (Faber) - London and Cornwall
Cajee, who has been a main presenter on CBeebies since 2015 and has gone on to front Blue Peter, Bitesize Daily, Live Lessons, Presentation and Match of the Day Kickabout on CBBC, said: “I’ve always loved reading and storytelling. I know that picture books play such an important role in shaping relationships with the people you’ve shared them with and forming core memories. I can think back to my childhood and those special times and now have the privilege of reading lunchtime and bedtime stories for our young audiences on CBeebies and at festivals and events around the country.”
Halls, whose stories have been translated into 43 languages, said: “Oscar’s Book Prize is a hugely important award, shining a brilliant light on the very best in children’s picture books. The shortlist always sparkles with absolute gems and it’s my joy to be on the judging panel this year.”
For more information about Oscar’s Book Prize, please visit www.oscarsbookprize.co.uk, follow @oscarsbookprize on Instagram or X/Twitter, find Oscar’s Book Prize on Facebook or email laura@oscarsbookprize.co.uk or robyn@oscarsbookprize.co.uk.
