£78.8m


The value of NielsenIQ BookScan’s adult and children’s graphic novel categories in 2025, by far the biggest year for British comics since records began. Graphic Novel of the Year-shortlisted creators Dav Pilkey and Jamie Smart’s combined take accounted for 22% of that overall total, and a whopping 67% of the kids’ comics sector.


BOOK OF THE YEAR Graphic Novel


Jamie Smart’s talent as an illustrator and storyteller is without question as he takes home his third Nibbie with his win in this new category. The judges called Bunny vs Monkey: Intergalactic Monkey Business! “beautiful” and saluted Smart’s unique ability to distil chaos into a meaningful and fun story. “Smart is a gorgeous illustrator,” said one judge; “Extraordinary,” said another. David Fickling Books is incredibly “invested in Jamie” and put together a


“strong” strategy, running its largest advertising campaign to date. Smart was also indispensable, filming with Red Nose Day and CBeebies, and providing exclusive artwork for Scottish Book Trust. He also hosted a superfan event with Waterstones, where a life-sized Bunny and Monkey made a special appearance. This “beautifully articulated” graphic novel made Smart the fifth-bestselling children’s author of last year and gave him his biggest first-week sales to date.


THE SHORTLIST


Dog Man: Big Jim Believes DAV PILKEY


Ginseng Roots CRAIG THOMPSON


InvestiGators:


Case Files JOHN PATRICK GREEN WITH STEVE BEHLING AND CHRIS FENOGLIO (ILLUSTRATOR)


This Slavery ETHEL CARNIE HOLDSWORTH, SOPHIE RICKARD (ADAPTATION), SCARLETT RICKARD (ILLUSTRATOR)


Who Killed


Nessie? PAUL CORNELL, RACHAEL SMITH (ILLUSTRATOR)


Bunny vs Monkey: Intergalactic Monkey Business! Jamie Smart DAVID FICKLING BOOKS


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