A message from the Co-Founders of Oscar’s Book Prize
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.
You can find out more about Beanstalk here and donations to support its work are always welcome here.
With huge thanks,
Viveka Alvestrand and James Ashton
Oscar’s parents and Co-Founders of Oscar’s Book Prize
February 27, 2026
Oscar's Book Prize
Oscar’s Book Prize was an annual prize for the best picture book of the year for young children. The winner(s) received £10,000. The prize was awarded in memory of Oscar Ashton.
Watch this video to hear from nominees, members of the publishing community, and special guests as they reflect on the importance of the prize and the power of picture books to shape young minds.
Our 2025 winner
Oscar’s Book Prize 2025 winner: Polly Noakes. Image (C) PA
The winner of the six outstanding books on our 2025 shortlist was revealed at a star-studded party on Thursday 10th July as Just The Two Of Us by Polly Noakes!
Huge congratulations to Polly, and to all of our incredible twelfth year shortlistees. If you’d like to discover more about this tender and uplifting story of friendship, imagination and moving on, head to our News page now!
As ever, we would like to say a huge thank you to all who entered, and to our fantastic judges on both our longlist and shortlist panels for doing such an incredible job (and making the toughest decisions ever!).
Thanks so much for sharing our journey - not to mention so many outstanding picture books - with us. We are thrilled to have had such a memorable year!
We’ll post more information here about submissions for Oscar’s Book Prize 2026 in due course.
Oscar’s Book Prize 2025 shortlisted authors and illustrators. Image (C) PA