The Shropshire Bookfest Book Awards are a book award and reading for pleasure project for primary schools in Shropshire. The Awards take place every two years and provide teachers and pupils with the opportunity to read, discuss and vote for their favourite titles from a pre-selected shortlist. The next Shropshire Bookfest Book Awards will take place in the academic year 2025-2026.

There are two award categories:

• The Big Book Award, voted for by children in UKS2.
• The Picture Book Award, voted for by children in KS1.

Schools can enter for one or both of the award categories and each participating school will receive:

• Access to a Bookfest CPD conference at the University Centre Shrewsbury to launch the project.
• A free set of the shortlisted titles along with a pack of accompanying classroom activities and a teacher guide.
• The opportunity for pupils to enter a range of art, creative writing and trailer competitions.
• The chance to attend the Awards Ceremony, which includes talks from all the shortlisted authors.

Timetable:

• To participate schools must register by the end of September. Places are limited so early booking is recommended.
• The Big Book Award shortlist is announced in early December.
• The Big Book Award project opens in January and voting closes at the end of March.
• The Big Book Award Ceremony takes place in April.
• The shortlist for the Picture Book Award is announced in June.
• The Picture Book Award project runs through the summer term and the winners are announced in July.

Cost: £4 per child, or £10 per child if attending the Award Ceremony.

About Shropshire Bookfest: Shropshire Bookfest is a charity dedicated to inspiring, enthusing and entertaining children through literature and the arts. It was founded in 1999 and was awarded the Queen’s Award for Excellence in the Voluntary Sector in 2009.