Winners of 2026 Information Book Award announced
Owning It: Our disabled childhoods in our own words by James Catchpole, Lucy Catchpole, Jen Campbell and Sophie Kamlish has emerged as the clear winner of the 2026 Information Book Awards, run by the School Library Association. It scooped two awards, winning the 13-16 age category and being named Judge’s Overall Winner.
The judges described Owning It as perfectly encapsulating how books can be both a window and mirror: ‘For 
those who can relate, this book is a much-needed reflection, shining a light on experience that is largely unseen; for those who can’t, it provides much-needed insight.
With humour, heart and striking illustrations by Sophie Kamlish, these inspiring stories will illuminate, bring comfort and boost empathy. From blatant to inadvertent othering, to coming to terms with a disabled ‘identity’ and finding community, this book is honest about pain, fear and heartache. Crucially though, as the title suggests, Owning It offers hope, connection and shows how it is possible to take control of one’s life whatever the challenge: a vital message for every teenager.’
The School Library Association’s Information Book Award is an annual celebration of information books.It is sponsored by DK and supported by the Authors’ Licensing and Collection Society and Peters.
There were twelve titles recognised in total, in three categories.
The Judges’ Choice winners are:
Under 7: Recycling Day: What happens to the things we throw away?, Polly Faber, illustrated by Klas Fahlén (Nosy Crow)
Age 8-12: Choose Your Own Evolution, Jules Howard, illustrated by Gordy Wright (Nosy Crow)
Age 13-16: Owning It: Our disabled childhoods in our own words, James Catchpole, Lucy Catchpole and Jen Campbell, illustrated by Sophie Kamlish (Faber)
Overall winner: Owning It: Our disabled childhoods in our own words, James Catchpole, Lucy Catchpole and Jen Campbell, illustrated by Sophie Kamlish (Faber)
Children from across the country came together and selected their best information books from the shortlist too. This year saw over 1100 school children participate in the Information Book Award Book Club, which is supported by the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society.
Pupils from three schools were at the ceremony to present the Children’s Choice awards in person.
The overall Children’s Choice winner was Choose Your Own Evolution, written by Jules Howard and illustrated by Gordy Wright (Nosy Crow, 2025). This inventive, interactive adventure turns readers into active participants in the story of evolution, blending solid science with an engaging, game-like structure.
The Children’s Choice winners were:
Under 7: Frog: A Story of Life on Earth, Isabel Thomas, illustrated by Daniel Egneus (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
Age 8-12: Choose Your Own Evolution, Jules Howard, illustrated by Gordy Wright (Nosy Crow)
Age 13-16: It’s a Brave Young World, Anu Adebogun, illustrated by Soofiya and Lila Cruz (Little Tiger)
Overall winner: Choose Your Own Evolution, Jules Howard, illustrated by Gordy Wright (Nosy Crow)
Chair of the judges, Helen Cleaves, said: ‘At a time when we are so quick to outsource thinking, knowledge and expertise, it is books like this years’ Information Book Award winners that will ignite curiosity, fuse connections and build empathy; the vital front-line defence for maintaining progress and the fundamentals that make us human.’
Victoria Dilly, CEO of the School Library Association said: ‘This year’s Information Book Award continues to celebrate the incredible creativity of children’s publishing, as evidenced by our brilliant shortlist and deserved winners – titles which capture the artistry and high quality the best of information books can bring. I congratulate everyone involved with their production.
Each book offers a route to discovering more about the world and the amazing people and animals who live in it, their cultures and history. From feminism to frogs, from encounters with grief to evolution – the 2026 shortlist covers everything about the human experience and more.’
Discover more about the Information Book Award, or register for future updates.
Submissions for the 2027 Information Book Award will open on Friday 3 July, via the link above.
The celebratory event was held in London and hosted by children’s author and bookseller, Tamara McFarlane.
