Peters Children's Book of the Year winners announced for 2026

Alison Tarrant, Peters’ Head of Library Services, says:

 “With 2026 designated a National Year of Reading, it's more important than ever to ensure all young people have access to books that will engage and inspire them, and we're proud that our award draws on the expertise of educators and librarians who are passionate about promoting reading. Thank you to all those who voted.”

Voted overall winner and Junior Fiction category winner from an incredibly strong shortlist, Peters’ team described 
The Boy at the Window as 'the perfect ghost story.'

The Peters judges praised the book for its eerie writing, and great plot twist. From award-winning, dyslexia-friendly publisher Barrington Stoke, it is not only 'thoroughly atmospheric' but it’s also an inclusive book that will attract a wide range of readers.

“Full of the right elements to make a perfect ghost story – it's eerie, strange and with a great twist. An ideal quick read.”
Peters' Librarian Review

Voted winner in the Picture Book category, Peters’ judges were unanimous in their praise for Don’t Trust Fish, a ‘clever,’ ‘delightful’ book that at first glance appears to be a straightforward, non-fiction title – but all is not as it seems! ‘Vibrant and enjoyable’, and full of humour, it’s great for sharing.

Have you ever noticed that fish spend all of their time under water? What are they plotting down there? And did you know that a group of fish is called a 'school'? Exactly what are they learning in these 'schools'? We must find answers. But one thing's for sure. Whatever you do: Don't. Trust. Fish.

Laugh along as you learn lots of fishy facts from a very suspicious narrator, who believes that there's something more than a bit fishy about fish... Prepare to laugh, learn, and maybe even look at your pet goldfish a little differently.

"Lovely illustrations and great text - gives the impression that it's a simple non-fiction title until you get to the fish! There are plenty of laughs and even a hint to guess at who is writing the book.”
Peters' Librarian Review

Voted Junior Fiction category winner and overall winner from an incredibly strong shortlist, Peters’ team described The Boy at the Window as 'the perfect ghost story.'

Folk say the fog plays tricks – that it shapes itself into little hands and frightened faces that press at people's doors and windows, desperate to come inside. But Hugo is convinced the ghost he has seen at the window is no trick of the fog. The boy's hollow eyes are haunting him. What would happen if Hugo were to open the door, and let him in? Brace yourselves for a chilling, wintery ghost story...

The Peters judges praised the book for its eerie writing, and great plot twist. From award-winning, dyslexia-friendly publisher Barrington Stoke, it is not only 'thoroughly atmospheric' but it’s also an inclusive book that will attract a wide range of readers.

“Full of the right elements to make a perfect ghost story – it's eerie, strange and with a great twist. An ideal quick read.”
Peters' Librarian Review

Taking the top spot in the teen fiction category, Tamsin Winter’s I Dare You is a "modern-day cautionary tale of taking online challenges too far", with sympathetic and engagingly written characters. Highly topical, it’s a powerful and hard-hitting read for teens, but funny and sharp too. 

Willow and Alma are best friends, sharing a love of the spotlight. All they want is fame and fortune, and Willow is determined that the best way to get it is to go viral. So they start filming dares. Okay, so getting stuck in a basketball hoop doesn't get them the sort of attention they were hoping for, but as their challenges get more extreme, their fan base grows. Duct-taping themselves to a wall? No-brainer. Eating super-hot chillis? Of course! Waxing an eyebrow off? Super funny! And if they get in a bit of trouble, it's worth it.

“A modern day cautionary tale of taking online challenges too far; well written and engaging with sympathetic characters. A great read for teens.”
Peters' Librarian Review

Non-fiction winner The Cave Explorer is a fascinating retelling which really ‘brings the events to life for young readers today.’ Beautifully illustrated by Kate Winter, it works as a leisure read or for topic support in schools.

One day in 1940, a young boy named Marcel Ravidat was walking his dog, Robot, near his home in southwestern France. When Robot found a strange hole near an upturned tree, Marcel and his friends rushed in to explore and find some hidden treasure. But the treasure they found was like nothing they had ever expected - prehistoric paintings and carvings that covered the walls of an underground cave, and that told the story of the palaeolithic people that had once called this place home.

This rediscovered cave was an important historical find, and the artefacts and paintings inside helped archaeologists and anthropologists piece together what life must have been like for humans living hundreds of thousands of years ago. 

“Engaging and fascinating in its retelling which really brings the events to life for young readers today.”
Peters' Librarian Review

Visit Peters Children's Book of the Year Award page