Inaugural James Cropper Wainwright Prize for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation awarded to The Biggest Footprint

The Biggest Footprint: Eight Billion Humans. One Clumsy Giant by Rob and Tom Sears, published by Canongate, has won the 2022 James Cropper Wainwright Prize. Now in its nineth year, the Prize is named after much-loved nature writer Alfred Wainwright and is awarded annually to the books which most successfully inspire readers to explore the outdoors and to nurture a respect for the natural world.

This is the first time that books for children have been included.

The 2022 Yoto Carnegie Medal winner, October, October by Katya Balen, illustrated by Angela Harding (Bloomsbury) is Highly Commended.

In their book, writer/illustrators the Sears brothers use statistics to present the challenges of climate change in a new light, in a fun, accessible and empowering story that will inspire younger readers to make the world a better place. Chair of Judges, CBBC Presenter, Gemma Hunt said, ‘This totally unique and highly innovative book captured all our imaginations. It’s an empowering, insightful tale that helps us all, at any age, understand and take ownership of the biggest threat of our lifetime. Such a clever and original book that feels totally deserving of our inaugural prize.’