2026 Derby Children's Picture Book Award - The Shortlist

Derby Book Festival has announced the three shortlisted books for the Derby Children’s Picture Book Award 2026, selected by 22 Derby primary school teachers. Now in its eighth year, the Award celebrates picture books that children can relate to and in which the diversity and challenges of modern life are represented. 

Children’s publishers were invited to submit up to three books, published in 2025, which meet the Award criteria. A record number of 83 books were submitted from publishers. Members of the Festival’s Education Group selected the longlist of 10 books, before the team of teachers made their selection of the shortlist.

Making the shortlist are:  ‘The Great Green Island’ by Becky Colvin;  ‘That’s Not Stella’ by Donna Fredin, and  ‘My Rice is Best’ by Selina Brown and Maxwell A. Oginni.

This year 73 Derby schools will take part, receiving copies of the three books for each class, involving 235 classes. Around 7,100 children in Years 2 and 3 will vote for their favourite book after reading them in class this term. Voting Day is 26th March and the winner will be announced on 28th March. The previous winners have been hugely inspiring books, which continue to be used by schools across the city.

Shortlisted author, Selina Brown, said, “I’m so full of gratitude and excitement that ‘My Rice is Best’ has been shortlisted for the Derby Children’s Picture Book Award. This book is a love letter to family, food, and the joy of seeing your own world reflected in a story. Knowing it’s been read, enjoyed, and chosen by teachers and children across Derby makes this moment incredibly special to me.”


Di Smith, Festival Trustee who has devised and organised the Award since it began eight years ago, said: “We had a very high standard of submissions again this year and recognition of the Award continues to grow. We are delighted that each year the number of books increases. This year we have had 83 books submitted by 22 publishers. We have an excellent and varied shortlist of books which will give Derby children the opportunity to see a window on their world and a mirror in which to see themselves.”

A teacher at Alvaston Infant and Nursery School said: “The children always love to analyse and discuss the books that they are exposed to with the Derby Children’s Picture Book Award, thinking critically about what they like about each story and articulating why their chosen book should be the winner. Additionally, our children love to be a part of something bigger than just our school; knowing that they are contributing to a big and important decision and that their opinion very much matters!”

”Professor Keith McLay, Chair of Derby Book Festival and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “The Derby Children’s Picture Book Award is an important part of
the annual Derby Book Festival.

“The award, voted for by schoolchildren across the city, aims to inspire a new generation of readers through books that reflect a range of lives and experiences.

“Once again, the University of Derby is proud to be involved with the Derby Book Festival, and we look forward to another successful year.”

Derby Book Festival has a strong programme of events for children, families and schools. Each year it organises Meet the Author events for Derby and Derbyshire primary and secondary schools, which last year reached over 9,000 pupils. The two primary events are held at Derby Theatre and live streamed to around 60 schools across the city and county. This year’s Meet the Author events will include current Children’s Laureate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce and author & illustrator Joe Todd-Stanton.