The School Library Association has announced the 2022 shortlist for their Information Book Award (IBA).

Now in its twelfth year, the IBA aims to emphasise the importance of non-fiction by highlighting and celebrating the high standard of children’s information books.

The awards are divided into three age categories, judged by a panel of educators. Children will then also have the opportunity to vote for their favourites in each group, as well as their favourite overall, to determine four additional Children’s Choice winners.

Margaret Pemberton, IBA Chair, says, ‘This is once again a tremendous year for high quality, informative and enjoyable information books. The range of books is wide and they cover diverse and fascinating topics, in all of the age categories. Choosing the shortlist has been a strenuous but exhilarating challenge to the judges.’

This year’s shortlist is made up of 10 titles, drawing on themes of science, art and diversity.

The shortlist for each age category is as follows:

AGE 0-7

All About Diversity An Engineer Like Me Meet the Microbes Felicity Brooks, illustrated by Mar Ferrero, Usborne

An Engineer Like Me, Dr. Shini Somara,  illustrated by Nadja Sarell, Wren & Rook (HCG)

Meet the Microbes, Dr Emily Grossman illustrated by Maggie Li, Wren & Rook (HCG)

What is Racism?, Katie Daynes & Jordan Akpojaro , illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat, Usborne

AGE 8-12

Black and British: An Illustrated History, David Olusoga illustrated by Jake Alexander & Melleny Taylor, Macmillan Children’s Books

Making a Baby: An Inclusive Guide to How Every Family Begins, Rachel Greener illustrated by Clare Owen, Nosy Crow

Unleash Your Creative Monster: A Children’s Guide to Writing, Andy Jones , illustrated by Olaf Falafel, Walker Books

AGE 13-16

Black Artists Shaping the World, Sharna Jackson & Dr Zoé Whitely, Thames and Hudson

Grown: The Black Girl’s Guide to Glowing Up Melissa Cummings-Quarry & Natalie A. Carter Illustrated by Dorcas Magbadelo, Bloomsbury

What’s the T?, Juno Dawson, illustrated by Soofiya, Wren & Rook (HCG)

Along with the shortlist, accompanying activities that can be easily implemented in a school library or classroom setting have been released to help schools unlock the full potential of these titles.

These are available to download for FREE via the SLA website, with packs of the shortlisted titles also available at a discounted price from Peters.

Voting for the Children’s Choice is now open, and children are encouraged to get involved in the award by voting to crown their favourites. The winners will be announced in a ceremony to take place in November.

For more information and to download your resources, visit the SLA website.

The Information Book Award is sponsored by Hachette Children’s Book Group.