Book Festival announces children’s book shortlist

Derby Book Festival has announced the shortlist for its Derby Children’s Picture Book Award 2026.

The award celebrates picture books that children can relate to and in which the diversity and challenges of modern life are represented.

Children’s publishers were invited to submit up to three books, published in 2025, which meet the award criteria. A record number of 83 books were submitted.

Making the shortlist are: ‘The Great Green Island’ by Becky Colvin; ‘That’s Not Stella’ by Donna Fredin, and ‘My Rice is Best’ by Selina Brown and Maxwell A. Oginni.

This year, around 7,100 children in Years 2 and 3 will vote for their favourite book after reading them in class this term.

Professor Keith McLay, chair of Derby Book Festival and deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “The Derby Children’s Picture Book Award is an important part of the annual Derby Book Festival.

“The award, voted for by schoolchildren across the city, aims to inspire a new generation of readers through books that reflect a range of lives and experiences.”