IBC Children's Choice Awards 2026
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Inclusive Books for Children have launched the new Children’s Choice Awards, an exciting shadowing scheme for their IBC Awards, where children act as 'official' judges, reading the shortlisted books and voting on their favourites. |
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The Children's Choice Awards shadowing scheme is designed to excite children about reading, motivating them to engage with a broader range of books. The scheme follows the recent release of The National Literacy Trust’s annual reading survey, which suggests children and young people’s reading for pleasure is at its lowest level in two decades, with only ‘1 in 3 (32.7%) children and young people aged 8 to 18’ saying they ‘enjoyed reading in their free time in 2025’, a 36% drop since 2005. |
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How do the IBC Children's Choice Awards work?
The scheme aims to engage children in fun reading activities that mirror the IBC Awards judging process. Children will have 5 weeks to read and judge the books.
How can my school participate?
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- Register your school for the IBC Children's Choice Awards by clicking the link below to fill out a short form.
- Purchase your books in handy shortlist packs with 20% off RRP. Simply add the shortlist packs (shown below) to your basket to place your order, or email your details (along with how many packs you'd like) to hello@peters.co.uk and our team will place the order for you.
- Please email hello@peters.co.uk to let us know how many pupils you have taking part, and we'll make sure we include enough bookmarks and stickers with your books!
- Read the books with your children. You have 5 weeks to read up to a maximum of 5 books, from 12 January to 16 February 2026.
- Vote for your winner!
What will I get in my shortlist book packs?
- IBC Children’s Book Award shortlist 2026 : Picture books 3–7 – £40
- IBC Children’s Book Award shortlist 2026 : Highly illustrated children's fiction 5–7 – £30
- IBC Children’s Book Award shortlist 2026 : Baby and toddler – £30
Each pack contains one copy of each shortlisted title. Inside each shortlist pack, you'll also receive extra resources and freebies to help you run the shadowing scheme with your pupils, including bookmarks, stickers, and a certificate template, as well as Book Talk Cards created by Peters' qualified children's book specialists, packed with useful discussion prompts.
