Inclusive Books for Children reveals 2026 Awards longlist
Inclusive Books for Children (IBC) has announced the longlist for its 2026 Awards, recognising outstanding inclusive books for young readers, published in the UK.
The annual awards celebrate excellence in storytelling and representation across three categories: baby and toddler books (ages one to three), picture books (ages three to seven) and children’s fiction (ages five to nine).
The authors and illustrators of 14 titles are in contention for an IBC Award, a share of the £30,000 prize fund and the opportunity to participate in the award winners’ showcase at the Hay Festival next May.
Last year’s children’s fiction winner Adeola Sokunbi returns for the second time, while creative duo Alex Falase-Koya and Paula Bowles feature for a third.
As in previous years, the baby and toddler books category will move straight to shortlist due to a lower number of submissions. Four shortlisted titles will be announced in January alongside the other awards categories.
Children’s fiction longlist:
Destiny Ink: Birthday Secret by Adeola Sokunbi (Nosy Crow)
George and the Mini Dragon by George Webster, Helen Harvey and Tim Budgen (Scholastic)
Marv and the Duck of Doom by Alex Falase-Koya and Paula Bowles (OUP)
Pia’s Pet Club: Puppy Problem by Serena Patel and Emma McCann (Usborne)
Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy (Nosy Crow)
The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood: School Trip by Farhana Islam and Simran Diamond Singh (Farshore)
Picture book longlist:
A Taste of Home by Maryam Hassan and Anna Wilson (Orchard Books)
Cloud Boy by Greg Stobbs (OUP)
Dancing Dumplings for My One and Only by Eva Wong Nava and Natelle Quek (Walker Books)
Noah’s New Home by Zeshan Akhter and Nabila Adani (Templar Books)
That’s Not Stella by Donna Fredin (Flying Eye Books)
The Beautiful Layers of Me by Sophia Payne and Ruchi Mhasane (Walker Books)
The Hunt for the Fog Town Moose by Stefania Aldana Trujillo (Kumusha Books)
Wednesday Is for Wiggling by Eva Wong Nava and Holly Sterling (Walker Books)
Sarah Satha, IBC co-founder, said: ‘For a third year running, the IBC Awards have teased out the crème de la crème of inclusive children’s literature in the UK. This outstanding collection of works from a supremely talented group of creatives – most from underrepresented groups – goes to show that inclusivity goes hand-in-hand with excellence. Our judges face an exceptionally tough task, and we can’t wait to see which books prevail!’
This year’s judges are Pragya Agarwal, writer and academic; Scott Evans, primary school teacher and creator of The Reader Teacher website; Mei Matsuoka, children’s illustrator and author; Phyllis Ramage, librarian and children’s literature academic; and Nina Tame, disability consultant and content creator.
