Winners of the Inclusive Books for Children book awards 2025

At a ceremony this evening, 26 February, Inclusive Books for Children (IBC), has announced the winners of their 2025 book awards.

Now in their second year, the IBC Awards were founded to recognise the best new inclusive children’s books published in the UK and span three categories focusing on diverse titles for younger readers: baby &  toddler books (for ages one to three), picture books (for ages three to seven) and highly illustrated children’s fiction (for ages five to nine).

Democratic Republic of the Congo (Barefoot Books) by Mel Nyoko and Joelle Avelino is the winner in the Baby & Toddler Books category, Blessing Musariri and Maisie Paradise Shearring have won the Picture Books category with Two People Can (Kumusha Books) and Adeola Sokunbi is winner of the Illustrated Children’s Fiction category with Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise (Nosy Crow). These five authors and illustrators will share a £30,000 prize fund.

Sarah Satha, co-founder of IBC  says, ‘At a time when we’re seeing a backlash against progress made in the last few years on diversity, equity and inclusion, the IBC Awards are more important than ever, to bring to light the very best stories with characters from under-represented groups. We’re thrilled that the awards have been won by these wonderful books that do such an amazing job of nourishing our children’s imaginations, self-esteem and empathy. No collection of children’s books is complete without them!’

Winning author Mel Nyoko says, ‘This award means so much to us, especially as I’m a relatively new author so to be recognised so early in my career means the world. Both Joelle and I are from Congo and we wanted to show Congolese children in a positive light. Many children there are displaced and living in a war zone, so we dedicate this award to them.’

Inclusive Books for Children is a charity with a free website for families that helps them choose books for a more inclusive bookshelf. It showcases stories that represent all types of families, featuring books with a variety of identities, including ethnicity, positive images of disabilities and neurodivergence, and celebrate Own Voice authors and illustrators.