First launched in 1990 and now run by The Bookseller, the British Book Awards seek to showcase and celebrate the best books, the best bookshops and the best publishers.
Nicknamed The Nibbies, they are unique in recognising that a book’s success is not down to just one factor. It is the author’s creative genius, it is the publisher’s skill and support and it is the bookshop’s championing. The Nibbies’ Books of the Year are unapologetically about success but not ‘just’ who is top of the bestseller lists.
There are categories for bookshops, publishers and agents as well as:
Book of the Year – Audiobook; Book of the Year – Children’s: Fiction; Book of the Year – Children’s: Illustrated & Non-Fiction; Book of the Year – Fiction; Book of the Year – Fiction: Crime & Thriller; Book of the Year – Fiction: Début; Book of the Year – Non-fiction: Lifestyle; Book of the Year – Non-fiction: Narrative; Author of the Year; Illustrator of the Year
https://www.thebookseller.com/british-book-awards
| Winner- Children’s Non-Fiction A Better Day by Dr Alex George. ISBN: 978-1526364449 (Wren & Rook) A mental health and wellbeing handbook for children from 9-11 upwards, by the celebrity doctor and Youth Ambassador for Mental Health . The user friendly handbook format and the balance between the text and the illustrations by The Boy Fitz Hammond was admired by the judges. It offers practical and scaffolding techniques for young readers to use, including overcoming stigma, talking about your feelings, developing resilience and switching your mindset when faced with a range of common issues from exam stress to peer pressure. |  |
| Winner-Children’s: Fiction Tyger by S F Said, illustrated by Dave McKean. ISBN: 978-1788452830 (David Fickling Books) Acclaimed by judges as “a classic” this is the story of Adam living in an alternate London where slavery has never been abolished. He finds a mysterious, mythical, magical animal who is in great danger and tells him the whole world is also on the verge of destruction. Adam and his friend Zadie are determined to help. Can they learn to use their powers before it’s too late? This is a thought-provoking, profound, political and spiritual book which skilfully interweaves myths, legends and dark stories from real life history and illustrated in perfect synergy by the acclaimed David McKean |  |
| Winner-Children’s: Illustrated Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate ISBN: 978-1783449927 (Andersen) A girl helps her grandfather embrace life again following the death of his partner Gramps. This poignant tale was inspired by the lack of older LGBTQI+ characters in children’s fiction. It sensitively acknowledges the sadness of losing a loved one, but also celebrates the pleasure of remembering those who have touched our lives. The illustrations are warm and joyful creating a glowingly colourful intergenerational journey of loving memories, managed grief and a renewed delight in living. |  |
