INDEPTH ‘‘
The Carnegies are the UK’s best-loved Children’s book awards, delivered by CILIP and uniquely judged by children’s librarians.
Rob Green is Editor of Information Professional.
Carnegies shortlists inspire hope
The shortlists for The Carnegies 2026 is out now, covering a broad range of topics in both categories for writing and illustration. With Shadowing now underway – there is still time to get involved – Rob Green looks at the shortlists as we countdown to this year’s winners.
THIS year’s Carnegies Shortlists were revealed at last month’s London Book Fair, with judges welcoming books that “meet young readers where they are, asking searching questions about identity, belonging, community and how we respond as life changes around us”. The Carnegies are the UK’s best-loved children’s book awards, delivered by CILIP and uniquely judged by children’s librarians. Each year brings fresh insight from writers and illustrators who are committed to giving young readers books that challenge and enlighten.
Chair of judges Stella Hine said: “These short- lists offer a wide scope of everyday life including friendship, wellbeing, courage, consent, respectful relationships, and empathy in the face of prejudice. Innovation in form is particularly exciting with in- ventive verse and chronology, subversive storytelling and reimagined folklore, alongside more traditional narratives.
“Together, these books reflect our world and empower young people to live and act with all their being and with hope.”
Sixteen books have been shortlisted, with eight titles in each category for the Carnegie Medal for Writing and the Carnegie Medal for Illustration.
Spotlight on Shadowing
Each year thousands of young people join Shadowing Groups across the country and abroad to read and judge books together. Led by teachers and librarians
April-May 2026
these groups connect young readers to the books, en- gaging and empowering them to enjoy and critically appraise the titles.
This year’s Shadowing Scheme is running a new pilot version that includes longlisted books, providing greater choice and variety for those taking part. It means that groups will find it easier to discover the right books for them – particularly helping younger readers engage with the scheme.
“I loved seeing the students who would usually refuse to read enjoying their books.” – Adele, 2025 Shadowing Group leader.
All Shadowers are also invited to cast a vote for their favourite books on both shortlists to decide Shadowers’ Choice award winners for Writing and Illustration. Winners from both the Shadowers’ Choice and Carnegies Medals will be revealed at this year’s ceremony, which will be held at the Cam- bridge Theatre, home to the Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical on 23 June 2026. Last year hundreds of school children who had taken part in the Shadowing Scheme were invited to the ceremony and thousands more were able to join the live stream on the day. To sign up for this year’s Carnegies Shadowing Scheme visit
www.carnegies.co.uk/take-part.
Shortlist highlights Identity, belonging, relationships, and the meaning of home have emerged as themes throughout both Medal shortlists, with creative storytelling ranging from the deeply personal to the historic and mythical.
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