Awards
IBBY UK is a nominating body for many of the major international awards for writing and illustration for children and young people. Three major awards are run by IBBY: the Hans Christian Andersen Awards, the IBBY Asahi Reading Promotion Award and the IBBY-iRead Award. We also celebrate the biennial IBBY Honour List and other book collections. Additionally, IBBY UK is invited to nominate for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award; the Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB) and the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals amongst others.
Nominations are made by the UK Committee after consultation with IBBY UK members.
IBBY Awards
Hans Christian Andersen Awards
Asahi Reading Promotion Award
IBBY-iRead Outstanding Reading Promoter Award
The IBBY-iRead Outstanding Reading Promoter Award has been established by the Shenzhen iRead Foundation and IBBY to encourage a real commitment to the cause of reading promotion in the hope of spreading this dedication to others around the globe.
IBBY Honour List
The IBBY Honour List is a biennial selection of outstanding recently published books, honouring writers, illustrators and translators from IBBY member countries. The titles are selected by the National Sections which can nominate one book for each of the three categories (writing, illustration and translation). Seven sets of the books circulate around the world at exhibitions during conferences and book fairs, including the Bologna Book Fair. You can read more about the IBBY Honour List and other IBBY book collections here.
IBBY Silent Books
In response to the waves of refugees from Africa and the Middle East arriving in the Italian island, Lampedusa, IBBY launched the project “Silent Books, from the world to Lampedusa and back” in 2012. The project involved creating the first library on Lampedusa to be used by local and immigrant children.
The second part required creating a collection of silent books (wordless picture books) that could be understood and enjoyed by children regardless of language. These books were collected from IBBY National Sections, over one hundred books from over twenty countries.
Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities
All young people need books they can read and enjoy. In addition to identifying excellent picture books and novels with plots that feature characters with varied abilities, we believe it is important for children and teens to be able to read on their own whenever possible. By highlighting accessible books, we increase the opportunities for people of all abilities to read independently. Access is enhanced through a range of formats such as Braille, Picture Communication Symbols, Sign language, Easy-to-Read language, tactile or textured illustrations, dyslexia-friendly font and other design features.
Awards nominated for by IBBY UK
Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
The Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB)
CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals
BOP Bologna Prize for Best Children’s Publisher of the Year
In 2016 the Europe prize was won by Andersen Press, the first British winner.
Children’s Laureate, UK
The role of Children’s Laureate, UK is awarded once every two years to an eminent writer or illustrator of children’s books to celebrate outstanding achievement in their field. The Children’s Laureate is managed by BookTrust. IBBY UK is one of the organisations involved in the nomination process and consults with the membership in this process.
The Laureate for 2024-2026 is Frank Cottrell-Boyce.
BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award
The winners of the 2018 Award were John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury.