We are sad to share the news that Oscar’s Book Prize is closing.
Despite our best efforts, we’ve been unable to find a new sponsor to help us carry the prize into 2026 and beyond.
What began as a way to honour our late son Oscar’s love of stories grew into an annual celebration of the very best in British picture books.
Since its founding in 2013, the prize has championed stories that spark wonder, comfort and connection in the earliest years of life.
We are immensely proud of the brilliant books that have been shortlisted and won. This journey has only been possible thanks to the creativity, heart and craftsmanship of the authors and illustrators whose extraordinary work we’ve been privileged to read and celebrate.
The prize has also been embraced by the UK publishing community, schools, nurseries, countless young readers and their families and carers who have shared the magic of reading together. We thank you.
We are equally grateful to everyone else who has helped us along the way: our sponsors, board of directors, thoughtful judges, administrative team and patron. Our collective effort has enabled us to distribute thousands of free books and hold reading events at the Hay Festival and the Discover Story Centre in East London, among other locations.
We hope the spirit of Oscar’s Book Prize lives on in some way as James joins the reading charity Coram Beanstalk as a trustee. Beanstalk’s volunteers support thousands of children across the UK with their reading and is part of Coram, a charity with almost 300 years of history supporting and campaigning on behalf of young people.
With huge thanks
Viveka Alvestrand and James Ashton
Oscar’s parents and Co-Founders of Oscar’s Book Prize
