Flower Block by Lanisha Butterfield, illustrated by Hoang Giang (Puffin Books) has been crowned The 2025 Wainwright Prize Children’s Book of the Year.

The Wainwright Prize is the world’s leading literary award for nature and conservation writing and includes books for adults and children. To be declared this year’s Children’s Book of the Year, Flower Block had first to be chosen as the winner of the Picture Book category from a shortlist of seven titles, before going on to beat the winners of the Children’s Fiction and Children’s Non-fiction categories.

Wildlands by Brogen Murphy (Puffin Books) won The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Fiction, while the winner of The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Non-Fiction went to University of Cambridge: Think Big! Secrets of Bees by Ben Hoare, illustrated by Nina Chakrabarti (Nosy Crow).

Commenting on this year’s awards, Alastair Giles, Director of The Wainwright Prize, said: ‘This year’s entries demonstrate just how vital and vibrant nature writing has become — not only as a form of creative expression, but as a force for change. As environmental and social challenges grow ever more urgent, it’s inspiring to see writers of all ages and backgrounds using their voices to deepen our connection with the natural world. The Wainwright Prize continues to champion those who remind us that storytelling can be a powerful step towards awareness, action, and ultimately, hope.’

Also Highly Commended were Wildful by Kengo Kurimoto (Children’s Fiction); National Trust: Look What I Found by the River by Moira Butterfield, illustrated by Jesús Verona (Children’s Non-fiction); Leave the Trees, Please by Benjamin Zephaniah, illustrated by Melissa Castrillon (Children’s Picture Books); and Bothered by Bugs by Emily Gravett (Children’s Picture Books.).

The 2025 Wainwright Prize Book of the Year (adult) was Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton (Canongate Books).