It's awards season at the SLA! Last week we celebrated our Secondary School Librarian of the Year, Peter Usborne Primary School Library of the Year and Enterprise of the Year Awards at a ceremony in London, and later this month we will announce the winners of the 2025 Information Book Award.
The Information Book Award was founded to support school libraries to celebrate the value of non-fiction books. Reading information books for personal interest and pleasure gives children and young people the opportunity to follow their natural curiosity, explore new areas of knowledge and build on their existing interests.
Ahead of the award ceremony, we spoke to author Rashmi Sirdeshpande and (Carnegie-nominated!) illustrator, Jason Lyon about their shortlisted title, Amazing Asia: An Encyclopedia of an Epic Continent.
Rashmi: What role do you think information books play in helping children understand and navigate the modern world? I think information books are fundamental in helping children understand and navigate the world. They give valuable context whether that’s historical, cultural or geographical. They inspire readers to question things that they see and read, to turn things over in their own minds and come to their own conclusions. They inspire readers to be empathetic and creative. To raise their voices where they see inequality and injustice. And to hold onto hope and believe in a better future.
Jason: What was the most surprising or fascinating fact you discovered while researching this book? I think, overall, it was discovering just how many things originated in Asia. Although I’m not a chess player, I was surprised to learn that the origins of the game can be traced back to a 6th-century strategy game called Chaturanga, which spread from India to Persia and eventually reached the West.
Rashmi: Can you tell us about one information book that inspired you as a child? How did it influence your approach to creating books for young people? ONE book?! I’m going to cheat and say I loved those big DK information books I discovered in the library. There were books on all kinds of themes from space, dinosaurs and the human body to ancient civilisations. I remember that feeling of WONDER as I turned the pages. That’s the feeling I try to capture when I write books for young people. I want them to see how wondrous our world is – how there’s so much to treasure, so much to discover, so much to be proud of.
Jason: What about you? Can you remember an information book that inspired you as a child? I can’t remember the exact title, but funnily enough, it was also an encyclopaedia, one filled with photographs of marine animals. I was fascinated by all the weird and wonderful sea creatures, and that sense of awe really stuck with me. It inspired me to be more bold, vibrant, and energetic in how I depict things. That book actually sparked my love of drawing, too. My dad used to sketch the sea creatures with me, which made it feel even more magical.
Rashmi: What do you hope young readers will take away from your book beyond just the facts? I hope they’ll see how beautiful and epic the continent of Asia is – from its incredible history and cultures to its wildlife and landscapes. I hope what they read will challenge negative stereotypes and divisive rhetoric by showing how interconnected we truly are. How culture, ideas and innovations travel across borders, blending with others. How our world is all the richer for it. For children with a connection to Asia – I hope this book makes them feel a sense of pride and joy. And for those who perhaps don’t have such a connection, I hope it sparks wonder and curiosity!
Jason: How do you decide what to show and what to leave out when illustrating information books? What's your process for making information visually engaging and accessible? I focus on what’s essential to the text, what helps the reader understand or feel something. If a detail doesn’t add clarity or emotion, I would leave it out. I try to keep things visually interesting but also add a spark, whether through storytelling, composition, or a surprising detail that draws people in.
Rashmi: If you could sit down with a group of young readers who've just finished your book, what question would you most like to ask them? I’d love to ask them what really drew them in. What were their favourite bits? What made them say WOW? And what will they do next? Are they inspired to make a guidebook of their own? Where would they write about? What place do they love? Or where would they love to visit? What treasures can we find there?
Rashmi Sirdeshpande is an award-winning, neurodivergent British Indian children’s author who writes a mix of picture books and illustrated non-fiction. An official World Book Day author for 2022 and a former BookTrust Writer-in-Residence, her books have been published around the world and featured in a number of national and international newspapers.
Jason Lyon is an award-winning British-Chinese illustrator based in London. His multicultural background profoundly shapes his creative process, infusing his work with a unique blend of vibrant Asian and Western influences. His artwork often explores the magical and surreal aspects of the world around him, crafting visual narratives that are deeply personal and close to his heart.
Rashmi will be joining us for a free, online author panel on Tuesday 11th November, celebrating the Information Book Award Shortlist and exploring the role information books play in developing curiosity, critical thinking skills and cultural understanding in children and young people. Book your place and join us online from 6.30pm.