Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2025 shortlist revealed

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What is the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize?

Now in its 21st year, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize is one of the UK’s most prestigious book awards for young readers.

Voted for by Waterstones booksellers, it celebrates the most talented new voices in children’s literature.

Previous winners have included bestsellers like Katherine Rundell and Rob Biddulph, with the prize helping to launch many authors’ careers.

The award is divided into three categories: Illustrated Books, Younger Readers, and Older Readers. Each category winner receives £2,000, while the overall winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year will be awarded an additional £3,000.

The winners will be revealed at a special ceremony on Thursday, 27 March 2025.

This year’s shortlist

Illustrated books

Perfect for younger children, this category features beautifully illustrated stories filled with adventure, humour, and heart.

Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf by Craig Barr-Green – A playful twist on classic fairy tales with bold, engaging illustrations.
Mountain and Cloud by Jana Curll – A stunning visual journey through nature and imagination.
Dim Sum Palace by X. Fang – A delightful celebration of Chinese cuisine wrapped in a charming bedtime adventure.
The Café at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please – A whimsical tale blending magic and mystery.

Younger readers

For readers aged 6–12, this category offers a mix of historical adventure, fantasy, and heartfelt storytelling.

Secrets of the Snakestone by Piu DasGupta – A thrilling mystery that blends history and adventure.
Tidemagic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit by Clare Harlow – A fantasy novel featuring a shape-shifting heroine on a magical quest.
The Boy in the Suit by James Fox – A compelling and emotional contemporary story.
Rune by Carlos Sánchez – The first-ever graphic novel to be shortlisted in this category, bringing mythology to life.

Older readers

For teens and young adults, this category includes a mix of contemporary, fantasy, and emotionally powerful reads.

Lover Birds by Leanne Egan – A sharp, witty queer romcom with a lot of heart.
King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore – A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud contemporary novel.
Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald – A gritty and moving story set in Scotland.
For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga – A dark, feminist fantasy packed with drama and revenge.

What makes this year’s shortlist special?

Bea Carvalho, Head of Books at Waterstones, praised the selection, saying:

Booksellers have prioritised reading for pleasure with this shortlist, and we can’t wait to share all twelve books with readers young and old.

This year’s list stands out for its diversity in storytelling, including the first-ever graphic novel shortlisted in the Younger Readers category and a range of genres from fairy-tale retellings to high-stakes fantasy and laugh-out-loud contemporary fiction.

When will the winners be announced?

The Waterstones Children’s Book Prize winners will be revealed on Thursday, 27 March 2025. The three category winners will each receive £2,000, with one of them going on to be crowned the overall winner, earning an additional £3,000.

Whether you’re looking for a new bedtime favourite or a gripping novel for a teen, these shortlisted books are set to be some of 2025’s must-reads.

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Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.