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Waterstones Children's Book Prize Shortlist 2025

It is our enormous pleasure to share with you our Waterstones Children’s Book Prize shortlist for 2025. Chosen by knowledgeable and passionate booksellers committed to championing the finest new talent in children’s writing and illustration today, previous winners include Katherine Rundell, Rob Biddulph and Angie Thomas. This year’s selection is a tribute to the depth and diversity of contemporary children's literature across three age ranges, from a gorgeous picture book celebration of Chinese cuisine to a shapeshifting girl's fantastical quest and a razor-sharp queer romcom. The category winners and overall winner will be announced at a special ceremony on the evening of Thursday 27 March.

Waterstones Children's Book Prize Shortlist 2025

It is our enormous pleasure to share with you our Waterstones Children’s Book Prize shortlist for 2025. Chosen by knowledgeable and passionate booksellers committed to championing the finest new talent in children’s writing and illustration today, previous winners include Katherine Rundell, Rob Biddulph and Angie Thomas.

Illustrated Books Shortlist
Younger Readers Shortlist
Older Readers Shortlist
History of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize

Illustrated Books Shortlist

This year’s Illustrated shortlist will make you smile, laugh and even tempt your appetite with a variety of visual styles.

Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf
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Mountain and Cloud
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Paperback
£7.99 £6.49
Dim Sum Palace
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Paperback
£8.99 £7.49
The Cafe at the Edge of the Woods
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Younger Readers Shortlist

Our Younger Readers shortlist invites you on adventures in the past, present and otherworldly realms alike.

Rune
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£10.99 £8.99
The Boy in the Suit
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£7.99 £6.49
Secrets of the Snakestone
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Tidemagic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit
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Older Readers Shortlist

Meet and fall in love with heroes both human and fantastical, courtesy of our Older Readers shortlist.

Lover Birds
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Paperback
£8.99 £7.49
King of Nothing
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Paperback
£7.99 £6.49
Glasgow Boys
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Paperback
£8.99 £7.49
For She is Wrath
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Paperback
£8.99 £7.49

Meet the Experts

Our discerning readers take us through the shortlists.


2024's Overall Winner

£7.99 £6.49
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A boarding-school runaway, a botanical genius and a seriously feisty cat must join forces to protect an enchanted verdant paradise from dark magic in Thomson's immersive fantasy.
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Previous Overall Winners

The Cats We Meet Along the Way
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The Last Bear
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Paperback
£7.99
A Kind of Spark
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Look Up!
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Paperback
£7.99
The Boy At the Back of the Class
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The Hate U Give
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The Girl of Ink & Stars
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My Brother Is a Superhero
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Blown Away
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Paperback
£7.99

 

Rooftoppers
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Ketchup Clouds
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The Pirates Next Door
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Artichoke Hearts
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Ways to Live Forever (2019 NE)
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Darkside NE
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Paperback
£8.99
The Diamond of Drury Lane
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The Cry of the Icemark
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Previous Winners Gallery

Helping launch the careers of writers and illustrators such as Katherine Rundell, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Rob Biddulph and Dapo Adeola, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious children’s book awards in the literary calendar. Join us on a trip down memory lane as we remember over two decades-worth of fantastic and inspiring winners.

Magical Worlds

Children’s stories have the power to transport the reader into enchanting – and enchanted – lands and many of our previous winners are sprinkled with irresistible literary fairy dust.

Hard-Hitters

We applaud Young Adult works that refuse to speak down to their readers, covering gritty and controversial topics with intelligence and sincerity.

Picture Perfect

We know that pictures can bring stories to life. Over the years it has been our pleasure to introduce fresh creative talent which combines words and pictures to stunning effect.

Action-Packed Pages

Feeding young imaginations with the fuel to build universes of their own, we have always championed sweeping adventures of new worlds and daring deeds.

Period Page-Turners

We know it is a rare storytelling skill to be able to bring past eras to vibrant life, and that is why we adore the very best historical fiction for children.

Literary Laughs

We know that one of the hardest challenges for a writer is making readers laugh and that's why we love to celebrate books that raise either a chuckle or a full-on guffaw.

Conversation Starters

Our choices always put readers first, spotlighting the books that matter to them and reflecting the topics young people of all ages are most passionate about.

Family, Friends & Feelings

Throughout the history of the prize, we’ve rewarded books that really understand the dynamics of children’s relationships with both family and friends. These uniquely emotive connections have been brilliantly explored with humour, tenderness and power by a number of our winners.


Illustrated Books Shortlist
Younger Readers Shortlist
Older Readers Shortlist
History of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize