SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2023 AWARD ARE NOW CLOSED
2023 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-
*is informed by any of the following: anti-discriminatory, environmental, socialist, anarchist, feminist concerns
OR
*promotes social equality or challenges stereotypes and/or the status quo or builds children’s awareness of issues in society
OR
*promotes 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). Please send four copies of each book to:
Fen Coles/Little Rebels Children’s Book Award
c/o Letterbox Library
Unit 151 Stratford Workshops
Burford Rd, Stratford
London E15 2SP
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.
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 2022.
All nominated titles must be received by January 19th 2023.
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.
Self-published books are not eligible; all books must have an ISBN.
Books must be published in a physical form.
What is the timeline for the award?
Closing date for nominations: 19th January 2023.
Shortlist to be announced: April/May 2023
Winner to be announced at an award ceremony in London in July 2023.
What is the Prize?
There will be one winning cash prize of £2000.
Who are the judges?
2023 guest judges will be confirmed soon – find out about the 2022 guest judges here.
Publicity
As always, the shortlist will be promoted widely through the book trade, the radical publishing community, on Twitter, Facebook 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 33-year-old, not-for-profit, children’s booksellers and social enterprise. 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 London’s longest surviving and last remaining 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. They were awarded the London Independent Bookshop of the Year award in 2016 at the British Book Industry Awards.
Little Rebels Award: littlerebels.org
The Alliance of Radical Booksellers: www.radicalbooksellers.co.uk
Bread & Roses Award: www.breadandrosesprize.wordpress.com
November 2022
The Little Rebels Children’s Book Award 