The English 4-11 Picture Book Awards are presented by the English Association to the best children’s picture books of the previous year across four categories:

• Fiction for 4-7 year-olds
• Non-fiction for 4-7 year-olds
• Fiction for 7-11 year-olds
• Non-fiction for 7-11 year-olds

In addition, one of the books submitted to the English 4-11 Picture Book Awards is selected as the recipient of the Margaret Mallett Prize for Children’s Non-Fiction. Margaret Mallet was a member of the English Association and the prize was created in her memory to celebrate unique approaches to non-fiction writing for children. 

The shortlist is selected by a panel of teachers and primary specialists who are looking for titles where text and pictures are of equal importance, and that ‘demonstrate the synergy between high quality writing and imaginative well-crafted images’. There is also the opportunity for primary practitioners to shadow the shortlisting process for the non-fiction categories.

The winning titles are chosen by the editorial board of English 4-11, the journal for primary teachers published jointly by the English Association and the United Kingdom Literacy Association. 

Read our shortlist announcement for the English 4-11 Picture Book Award 2026.

Timetable: 

• Register to shadow the shortlisting process by 24th January 2026.
• The 2026 shortlists will be announced on 13th April 2026.
• The winners will be announced on 27th April 2026. 

Cost: Free. 

About the English Association: The English Association is a learned society, membership association, and registered charity incorporated by Royal Charter (no. 1124890).