A new charity, Inclusive Books for Children (IBC), has launched a set of awards worth £30,000 for authors and illustrators whose books demonstrate inclusivity.
IBC aims to “support time-pressed parents and caregivers in their book-buying decisions”, by offering over 700 “freely available, expert book reviews and recommendations”.
Its inaugural awards – the Inclusive Books for Children Awards – seek to celebrate the talent behind the best, new inclusive children’s books published in the UK. Submissions will open Monday 18th September 2023 and close Friday 27th October 2023. More can be found out here.
A panel of children’s literature experts and “inclusivity advocates” will award a £10,000 prize for the winning book in each of three categories: books for babies and toddlers aged one to three, picture books for ages three to seven and children’s fiction for ages five to nine. The prizes will be shared between the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the winning books.
The shortlists will be announced in January 2024, and the winners announced at a ceremony in March 2024.
The idea for the IBC website was conceived in 2022 by Marcus and Sarah Satha, book-loving parents to two, young, mixed-heritage children. They say they experienced first-hand “how difficult it can be to source children’s books that adequately represent different ethnicities, disabilities, and the modern family – and don’t draw on gender stereotypes”.
The project runs in parallel to IBC’s provision of funding to other not-for-profit organisations also working to improve inclusivity in children’s books, and access to those books.
Charity ambassador Nadiya Hussain said: “Diverse representation in children’s fiction is so important. As a mum, I’m always trying to make sure that my children can see themselves represented in the media they consume and are able to feel included and seen. Inclusive Books for Children is the perfect platform for finding exactly what I’m looking for, and with expert reviewers recommending books for my kids I know I can trust that what I’m buying is the best the book world has to offer.”
Sarah Satha, co-founder of Inclusive Books for Children, said: “We’ve created what we hope is a beautifully designed and inclusive resource. For anyone who has struggled to find their family reflected in stories – and for anyone else – we have fantastic book recommendations to suit everybody.”
Marcus Satha added: “Stories are powerful tools that allow us to relate, understand and connect with one another. We all want the children in our lives to be able to access the power of stories, and how they open the imagination and inspire creativity. That’s where the Inclusive Books for Children project began.”
Fabia Turner, founder of the Jericho Prize and head of content for Inclusive Books for Children, said: “Our book reviews are quick and easy to digest, and there’s huge variety within our current offering, which is mainly fiction for all children up to nine.
“We have everything from relatable everyday stories to fantastic magical adventures – books to enthuse all children, suiting a wide range of reader needs and tastes. Of course, the books also reflect the rich demographic diversity of the UK and beyond – and many parents will appreciate that.”
Jake Hop is an awards executive for the Yoto Carnegies and reviewer and adviser to Inclusive Books for Children. He added: “With around 10,000 children’s books published annually, finding the best books to suit particular readers and situations can sometimes feel a daunting task. Every book on IBC is carefully appraised to explore the types of representation that feature in it, considering the role characters play in the book, the types of world they inhabit and the motivation and agency they possess. They help everyone to feel part of a world of stories and ideas that fire young hearts, minds and imaginations.”
