We are excited to reveal the wonderful longlist for the 2026 Information Book Award (IBA), alongside the opening of registrations for this year's IBA Book Club.
We have reviewed hundreds of book entries to compile a list of 29 exceptional titles across three age categories, showcasing the remarkable breadth and quality of information books available for children and young people. The longlist spans an impressive range of subjects from why we sleep, to where our recycling goes! With books for everyone, from animal lovers to young engineers, the longlisted titles demonstrate just how engaging information books can be as a route into reading.
Following last year's brilliant engagement with the IBA Book Club - over 1,600 children took part in the award shadowing! - we've updated the award schedule to better align with the academic year. Schools that would like to take part in the Book Club should register before 13th February for the chance to win a free set of shortlisted books in one age category, generously funded by ALCS. The Children's Choice voting period will then run until May 2026, giving you the chance to hold meaningful Book Club sessions across several weeks.
Taking part in the IBA Book Club will help children develop critical thinking skills, develop confidence in communicating their opinions, find new interests and fire up their love of reading.
All schools that sign up to take part will have access to free bespoke resources - available by the end of February - to help make these sessions engaging and worthwhile for your pupils. Title packs for each shortlist category will also be available to purchase from Peters at a discounted rate.
The 2026 Information Book Award is sponsored by DK.
Get involved by exploring the longlist, registering your school for the IBA Book Club and looking out for the shortlist announcement, which will be made next week!
The 2026 Information Book Award Longlist is as follows:
- Happy Holi by Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Amberin Huq (Bloomsbury Children's Books)
- Frog by Isabel Thomas, illustrated by Daniel Egneus (Bloomsbury Children's Books)
- It's OK to Say No by Molly Potter, illustrated by Sarah Jennings (Bloomsbury Education)
- The Museum of Shapes by Sven Volker (Cicada Books)
- Recycling Day: What Happens to the Things We Throw Away by Polly Faber, illustrated by Klas Fahlén (Nosy Crow)
- Where Did She Go? by Cariad Lloyd, illustrated by Tom Percival (Hodder, Hachette Children's Group)
- The History of We by Nikkolas Smith, illustrated by Nikkolas Smith (Rock the Boat)
- Start Small, Think Big: Small, Sparkling Raindrop by Mary Auld, illustrated by Lou Baker Smith (Mama Makes Books)
- The Endless Sea by Chi Thai, illustrated by Linh Dao (Walker Books)
- A Billion Ways to Be by Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Ana Sanfelippo (Franklin Watts, Hachette Children's Group)
- Get Connected! by Kay Barnham, illustrated by Emans (Franklin Watts (Hachette Children's Group))
- What Do Doctors Do? by Sarah Hull, illustrated by Adam Allsuch Boardman, Geraldine Sy (Usborne)
- Why Do We Sleep? by Cathy Evans, illustrated by Polya Plavinskaia (Cicada Books)
- Amazing Shark: Guardian of the Seas by Michael Stavarič, illustrated by Michèle Ganser (Pushkin Children's Books )
- The Cities of the Future by Didier Cornille (Post Wave Children's Books)
- Science Detective Agency by Steve Derrick, illustrated by Miriam Serafin (Wayland (Hachette Children's Group))
- A World of Cats by Carlie Sorosiak, illustrated by Luisa Uribe (Nosy Crow)
- About Time by Rebecca Struthers & Alom Shaha, illustrated by Lucy Rose (DK Books)
- Choose Your Own Evolution by Jules Howard, illustrated by Gordy Wright (Nosy Crow)
- How to Save Your Granny From a Runaway Train by Swapna Haddow , illustrated by Jess Bradley (Red Shed, Farshore)
- Normal Women by Philippa Gregory, illustrated by Alexis Snell (Red Shed, Farshore)
- AI for Beginners by Rose Hall, Rachel Firth, illustrated by Hylton Warburton (Usborne)
- Girls with Goals by Clelia Castro-Malaspina (Quarto)
- The House on the Canal: The Story of the House that Hid Anne Frank by Thomas Harding, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup (Walker Books)
- It's a Brave Young World by Anu Adebogun, illustrated by Soofiya and Lila Cruz (Little Tiger)
- Great Escapes by David Long, illustrated by Jamie Coe (Faber & Faber)
- Explodapedia: The Brain by Ben Martynoga, illustrated by Moose Allain (David Fickling Books)
- Owning It: Our disabled childhoods in our own words by Edited by James Catchpole, Lucy Catchpole and Jen Campbell (Faber & Faber)
- Shoes! A Footwear Fashion Frolic by Anna Davies, illustrated by Daisy Wynter (Cicada Books)
- We Are Your Children by David Roberts, illustrated by David Roberts (Two Hoots, Macmillan Children's Books)
Key dates for the Information Book Award 2026:
13th January: registration opens for the IBA Book Club. Register before 13th February for the chance to win free books for your library
21st January: the IBA shortlist will be announced
w/c 24th February: selected schools will be sent their free books and and printed Book Club resources. Other schools can purchase shortlist title packs at a discounted price from Peters and download free online resources. Three lucky schools who find a Golden Bookmark in their book bundle will be invited to present one of the Children's Choice Awards
May 2026: Children’s Choice voting closes
Summer term: awards ceremony with students presenting Children’s Choice Awards (details TBC)
Find out more
About DK
DK is a global publisher of internationally bestselling authors and illustrators across fiction, non-fiction, adult and children’s publishing. They have been pioneering ways to bring knowledge and adventure to people around the world for over 50 years.
About Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society
ALCS is a not-for-profit organisation started by writers for the benefit of all types of writers. Owned by its members, ALCS collects money due for secondary uses of writers’ work. It is designed to support authors and their creativity; ensure they receive fair payment and see their rights are respected. It promotes and teaches the principles of copyright and campaigns for a fair deal for writers. It represents over 130,000 members, and since 1977 has paid over £750million to writers.