Winners of the 2026 Children's Book Award announced

A graphic novel has won the overall award in the 2026 FCBG Children's Book Award, which is the only award in the UK voted for by children. Sheena Dempsey's Pablo and Splash: Roman Holiday won the Books for Younger Readers category and the Overall Winner prizes.

Gozzle by Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie (Macmillan Children's Books) won the Books for Younger Children category, with My Name is Samim by Fidan Meikle (Floris Books) taking the prize for Books for Older Readers. 

Now celebrating its 46th year, the Children's Book Award continues to shine a spotlight on the books that truly connect with young readers, with children across the UK choosing the stories that captured their imaginations, hearts and conversations over the past year.

This year's winners are:

Books for Younger Children: Gozzle by Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie (Macmillan Children's Books)

Books for Younger Readers and Overall Winner: Pablo and Splash: Roman Holiday by Sheena Dempsey (Bloomsbury Children's Books)

Books for Older Readers: My Name is Samim by Fidan Meikle (Floris Books)

Graphic novel wins overall prize

Sheena Dempsey's Pablo and Splash: Roman Holiday was not only voted winner in the Younger Readers category but also crowned the Overall Winner of the 2026 Children's Book Award. Bursting with humour, comic chaos and vibrant illustrations, the latest adventure in the much-loved series proved enormously popular with children across the country.

The success of Pablo and Splash also reflects the continuing rise in popularity of graphic novels and illustrated fiction amongst young readers. Dynamic, accessible and highly engaging, graphic storytelling is playing an increasingly important role in fostering a love of reading and helping children build reading confidence and enjoyment.

Julia Donaldson's Gozzle, a charming and memorable story that proved hugely popular with the youngest children. Continuing a successful partnership, Sara Ogilvie's quirky illustrations add extra details to the humour and warmth of Donaldson's trademark storytelling magic.

My Name is Samim by Fidan Meikle was voted favourite in the Older Readers category. This powerful and thought-provoking debut novel resonated deeply with readers through its moving exploration of identity, belonging and resilience, highlighting the ability of children's books to open conversations and foster empathy.

Sarah Stuffins, CBA Coordinator, said that thousands of children had taken part in this year's voting process and that their enthusiasm for the award demonstrates "the importance of giving children ownership over the stories they read and celebrate".

The Children's Book Award, which has run since 1980, is the only national UK children's book award to be voted for entirely by children and each year over 80,000 votes are cast, involving nearly 250 schools across the UK.

Children's Book Award 2026 shortlist

The ten titles on the shortlist for the Books for Younger Children, Books for Younger Readers and Books for Older Readers categories, were chosen by children nationwide who read and voted for the books throughout the year as part of the network of the Federation's Children's Book Groups. They included:

Books for Younger Children

Creepy Pair of Underwear!, written by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Peter Brown, published by Simon & Schuster
Gozzle, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Sara Ogilvie, published by Macmillan
The Tortosaurus, written and illustrated by Katie Cottle, published by Little Tiger
There’s a Shark in my Pants!, written by Michelle Harrison and illustrated by David Tazzyman, published by Simon & Schuster

Books for Younger Readers

Murray and Bun: Murray the Pirate, written illustrated by Adam Stower, published by HarperCollins
Pablo and Splash: Roman Holiday, written and illustrated by Sheena Dempsey, published by Bloomsbury
Supa Nova, written and illustrated by Chanté Timothy, published by Nosy Crow

Books for Older Readers

Fear Files: Hide and Seek, written by Christopher Edge and illustrated by Mathias Ball, published by Walker Books
My Name is Samim, written by Fidan Meikel, published by Floris Books
The Last Dragon on Mars, written by Scott Reintgen, published by Rock the Boat

Find out more on the FCBG website.