Children's Booker Prize: A New Chapter in Literary Culture

The Booker Prize Foundation announces a new 50,000-pounds Children's Booker Prize to be launched in 2026, celebrating contemporary fiction for children aged 8-12. Supported by AKO Foundation, it aims to promote reading among children with a panel of child and adult judges playing a crucial role.

The Booker Prize Foundation has announced the creation of the Children's Booker Prize, a new initiative aimed at celebrating outstanding contemporary fiction for children aged eight to twelve. Set to launch in 2026, the prize carries a reward of 50,000 pounds, matching its prestigious counterpart for adult fiction.

This new award seeks to inspire a new generation of young readers and will feature a unique judging panel consisting of both children and adults. The Children's Booker Prize is supported by the AKO Foundation and plans to distribute at least 30,000 copies of shortlisted and winning books to ensure widespread access to quality fiction for young readers.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce, a renowned children's author, will be the inaugural Chair of judges, alongside other cultural and educational partners. This initiative follows a significant history of the Booker Prize, a leading literary award recognized globally for its role in promoting exceptional fiction.

(With inputs from agencies.)