The organisers of the prestigious Booker Prize have announced a new award dedicated to children’s fiction, aiming to inspire young readers and celebrate creative storytelling. The new award, called the Children’s Booker Prize, will be launched in 2026, with the first winner to be announced in 2027. It will honour the best contemporary fiction written for children aged between eight and 12 and will involve both adult and child judges in the selection process.

The initiative marks a major step by the Booker Prize Foundation in expanding its influence beyond adult literature. Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the UK Children’s Laureate and author of the popular novel Millions (2004), will serve as the inaugural chair of judges for 2027. Expressing his enthusiasm, he said, “I am absolutely buzzing about the news that I’m going to be chairing the judging panel. It’s going to be, as they say, absolute scenes in there. Let the yelling commence.”

Cottrell-Boyce will be joined by two adult judges who will shortlist eight books from global submissions. Once the shortlist is finalised, three children will join the judging panel to help select the winner. This unique structure is designed to ensure that young readers themselves play a role in determining which stories best resonate with their age group.

According to Gaby Wood, chief executive of the Booker Prize Foundation, the introduction of this prize is “the most ambitious endeavour we’ve embarked on in 20 years”. She added that its impact is expected to “resonate for decades to come”. At least 30,000 copies of the shortlisted and winning books will be distributed to children, making literature more accessible and encouraging reading as a lifelong habit. Wood noted that the award will “champion future classics” and “inspire more young people to read”.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Cottrell-Boyce emphasised that the new award would “make a big difference”. He explained that it would make books more available for many children and “really ignite a conversation” about the importance of reading and creativity.

The announcement has been welcomed by prominent authors and former Children’s Laureates. Dame Jacqueline Wilson, known for her beloved children’s books, described the initiative as “a marvellous idea”. Fellow writer Anne Fine also expressed her support, saying, “When it comes to book prizes, we all say the more the merrier, especially when it comes to writing for children, which has all too often been the overlooked Cinderella of the book world.

Like the main Booker Prize and International Booker Prize, the Children’s Booker will offer significant rewards. Each shortlisted author will receive £2,500, while the winner will be awarded £50,000. Publishers can begin submitting entries in spring 2026, when the remaining two adult judges will be announced. The shortlist and the three young judges will be revealed in November 2026, and the winner will be announced at a special event for young readers in February 2027.

The prize will be open to authors worldwide for books originally written in English or translated into English, provided they are published in the UK or Ireland between 1 November 2025 and 31 October 2026.

The launch coincides with growing concerns about declining reading habits among young people. According to the National Literacy Trust, children’s reading for pleasure has dropped to its lowest point in 20 years. To address this, the organisation has declared 2026 the National Year of Reading, aiming to revive the culture of reading across the nation. The introduction of the Children’s Booker Prize, therefore, aligns with this broader effort to nurture a new generation of engaged and imaginative readers.