Entries are now open for the Inclusive Books for Children (IBC) Awards 2025. Entry is free and the awards include a total prize money of £30,000 for the best new inclusive children’s books published in the UK.

The deadline for publishers to submit entries is September 20, 2024. Submissions will be divided into three different categories: baby and toddler books (1-3 years), picture books (3-7 years) and richly illustrated children’s and young adult literature (5-9 years).

Submissions are limited to fictional stories, with the exception of the Baby and Toddler category, which accepts all genres and formats of baby and toddler books. Books must also include representations of minority ethnicity, disability, neurodivergence, or LGBTQ+ at the main character level.

The judges also consider whether the books offer an original point of view (i.e. books by authors/illustrators who have the same cultural, ethnic or other identity as the characters they create), whether they challenge gender stereotypes, whether different family structures are portrayed (e.g. single-parent, blended or same-sex parent families) or whether there is a diverse cast of characters beyond the main character.

The 2025 IBC Awards will accept new books published in the UK between 1 November 2023 and 31 October 2024. The winning author and illustrator in each category will receive a cash prize of £10,000.

Sarah Satha, co-founder of Inclusive Books for Children, said: “We had an overwhelming response to our first awards ceremony last year, with so many powerful stories competing for an IBC award. It has never been clearer how much these books are needed to promote mutual respect and a cohesive, empathetic society. We are really excited to see this year’s submissions from publishers and can’t wait to shine a spotlight on the year’s best titles and the creative talent behind them.”

Click here to submit an entry for the IBC Award.