A new award, the Brian Wildsmith Prize, is set to celebrate creative projects that use illustration to spark children’s and young people’s imaginations and encourage a lifelong love of reading.
The prize recognises the important role that illustration can play in bringing stories to life, capturing children’s curiosity and providing an engaging starting point for discovering books and reading for pleasure. It is open to projects of all sizes, delivered by libraries, schools and community groups. From comic book clubs and picture book projects to storybook walks and community murals, the prize aims to showcase innovative ways of using art and illustration to connect young people with reading.
Applications open on 2 November 2026 and close at 6pm on 26 March 2027. Projects are invited to submit an expression of interest of no more than 500 words, outlining their activities, intended audience, reach and impact, as well as what worked well and what could be developed in the future.
Up to six projects will be shortlisted, with the overall winner selected by an expert judging panel bringing together leading voices from children’s literature, illustration and librarianship.
Meet the judging panel
The panel includes:
- Nicola Davies – Multi-award-winning author and naturalist, with an extensive catalogue of books for children and young adults. She is the current Children’s Laureate for Wales.
- Olivia Lomenech Gill – Award-winning illustrator and winner of the 2025 Carnegie Medal for Illustration for Clever Crow. She also illustrated Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
- Amy McKay – Former School Librarian of the Year and Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). She has judged several awards, including the Klaus Flugge Prize.
- Alison King – Chair of Judges for the 2026 Carnegie Medals and a school librarian at King’s Monkton School in Cardiff. She is also involved with the Open University’s Reading for Pleasure group.
- Chris Baker – Oxford-based teacher-librarian and creator of the Instagram account Broadening the Bookshelf, championing reading and inclusion in children’s publishing.
- Oxford Children’s Books – Further details of its involvement are to follow.
The winning project will receive a place at the CILIP Youth Library Group (YLG) Conference 2027, a collection of books from Oxford University Press worth over £100, and opportunities to share and celebrate its work.
The prize honours Brian Wildsmith (1930–2016), the acclaimed British artist and children’s book illustrator who illustrated more than 80 books and won the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 1962 for Brian Wildsmith’s ABC. Renowned for his vibrant colours, distinctive style and beautiful depictions of the natural world, his work continues to inspire readers of all ages.
The Brian Wildsmith Prize is an opportunity to celebrate the creativity, imagination and impact of projects that put illustration at the heart of inspiring the next generation of readers.
More information go to: https://www.cilip.org.uk/community-events/special-interest-groups/youth-libraries-group/
How to enter: Send an expression of interest (maximum 500 words) to chair.ylg@cilip.org.uk by 6pm on 26 March 2027.
Find out more about Brian Wildsmith and his work at brianwildsmith.com.