SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSED.
Please be aware the address to send your submissions to has changed from previous years.
2025 guidelines
Definitions
The Little Rebels Children’s Book Award recognises and awards radical children’s fiction. It is an award which runs parallel to the Alliance of Radical Booksellers’ Bread & Roses Award for adult non-fiction.
What do you mean by a ‘radical fiction book’?
For the purposes of this award, a ‘radical fiction book’ is defined as a story which meets any of the following criteria:
*is informed by any of the following: anti-discriminatory, environmental, socialist, anarchist, feminist concerns
*actively (rather than implicitly) challenges stereotypes and/or the status quo
*builds children’s awareness of social issues
*promotes social equality, social justice and a more peaceful and fairer world.
nb: submissions to and winners of the award for previous years can be seen on this site; do please take a look at these as they are a good indication of the sorts of submissions which have been accepted in the past.
How do I enter a book?
Books must be submitted by publishers, not individuals – except in the case of self published books (see below). Please send four copies of each book to:
Fen Coles/Little Rebels Children’s Book Award
c/o Letterbox Library
Unit 13 Mainyard Studios
679 High Road
Leyton
London
E10 6RA
A total of approximately six books will be shortlisted and forwarded to the judges. Additional copies (up to twelve) of the shortlisted books will be requested at this stage.
There is no entry fee for nominated titles but publishers will be asked for £100 per shortlisted title as a contribution to marketing costs. This fee will be waived for self-published books.
What are the entry criteria?
Submitted books should fall under the definition of a ‘radical fiction book’- see above.
Submitted books must be targeted at ages Birth-12; teen & YA books will not be considered.
Only fiction and story books will be considered (ie: no resource/information books). These can be picture books, chapter books or beginner readers. Boardbooks for babies & toddlers are also positively invited for submission and in these cases, both fiction & non-fiction content are acceptable.
The 1st edition of the book must be/have been physically published between Jan 1st and Dec 31st 2024.
All nominated titles must be received by March 3rd 2025.
The book must have been published in the UK.
The author(s) or, in the case of picture books, either the author or illustrator, must be primarily resident in the UK.
All books must have an ISBN.
Books must be published in a physical form.
Self-published books are eligible but please note the following:
They must have standard trade distribution, i.e. bookshops must be able to order the books, either directly or through a distributor, under normal trade terms (i.e. a standard trade discount and returns policy).
Books that are published via Amazon, or that are only available to order via Amazon, are not eligible. The award is given by the Alliance of Radical Booksellers, a collective of independent bookshops, many of whom boycott Amazon for unethical trading and labour practices, and for its deleterious effect on independent bookselling. This decision has been made after careful consideration and Little Rebels Award organisers will not enter into further discussion on this issue.
What is the timeline for the award?
Closing date for nominations: 3rd March 2025
Shortlist to be announced: July 2025
Winner to be announced at an award ceremony in London in October 2025.
What is the Prize?
There will be one winning cash prize of £2000.
Who are the judges?
Find out about the guest judges here.
Publicity
As always, the shortlist will be promoted widely through the book trade, the radical publishing community, on social media and through Letterbox Library and Housmans Bookshop’s own education and book bloggers’ networks (schools, nurseries, children’s centres etc.).
Further Information
For questions about submissions, please contact catherine@housmans.com, or call Housmans Bookshop on 020 78374473 and ask for Catherine.
Letterbox Library is a not-for-profit, children’s booksellers and social enterprise founded in 1983. They were nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2015. Letterbox Library specialises in sourcing, selecting and selling children’s books which celebrate diversity, equality and inclusion. They are also known for their ‘special issue’ books eg: titles dealing with social justice, peace & conflict, the environment etc.
One of the UK’s oldest radical bookshops, Housmans is a founder member of the Alliance of Radical Booksellers, and stocks a wide range of radical books and magazines, including children’s and young adult books.
Little Rebels Award: littlerebels.org
The Alliance of Radical Booksellers: www.radicalbooksellers.co.uk
Bread & Roses Award: www.breadandrosesprize.wordpress.com
The Little Rebels Children’s Book Award 