Winners 2025
Below is a list of the 2025 WINNERS in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. The children's books were read and judged by children in 8 UK primary and secondary schools, the adult books by 2 Reading Groups, 1 in London and 1 in Stockholm. The books were marked according to EDITING, THEME, STYLE, COVER and, in the case of many of the children's books, ILLUSTRATIONS.
Jump straight to:
- Category 1: Pre-school picture books
- Category 2: Books for 6 - 8 year olds
- Category 3: Books for 9 - 12 year olds
- Category 4: Books for Teenagers
- Category 5: Books for adults (fiction)
- Category 6: Books for Adults (non-fiction)
- Category 7: Audio Book - Children/Young Adult
- Category 8: Audio Book - Adult
- Category 9: Best Book Cover - Children/Young Adult
- Category 10: Best Book Cover - Adult
- Category 12: Adult/Children's Poetry
- Short Story - Novelette
If you happen to be looking for a good read, the readers at The Wishing Shelf Awards thoroughly recommend the following:
Bronze
Monkey See, Monkey Do. Monkey Can Do It, Can You?
Author: Harriet Cobb
Illustrator: Patrizia Donaera
Gold
The Adventures of Mrs. Crockess and Ivy: No Pockets? No Problem!
Author: Julia Kolouch
Illustrator: Petros Bouloubasis
Bronze
Watching Sarah Rise: a Journey of Thriving with Autism
Author: Jennifer Celeste Briggs
Performed by:
Gold
The Horned Women by Christy Matheson
Silver
Commanding the Cleanest Space Station by Jessica Kaye
Bronze
The King, Lady Killer and the Virgin by Mark Sheehan
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HABITAT MAN
Midlife crisis meets eco-
fiction in heartwarming romcom
Amazon
The Other Side of Nowhere
A fast-paced page turner
southern gothic horror
by Jack Holt
Popina & Slumberina
Join in a Magical Journey of
Growth and Self Discovery
Amazon
ARNI'S ADVENTURES
8 charming, silly, comic
stories to laugh at & enjoy.
Amazon
THE MERMELF
Mystery girl. Mermelves arrive
Dystopian rebellion begins
Amazon
ONE FOOL'S GOLD
Is that nugget you seek gold,
or only fool's gold?
Amazon
MaryLou
"An engaging, well-crafted
family drama" TWSA
Amazon
Jack's 1st Birthday Adventure
Journey to Jingle Jangle:
A fun story with activities!
Amazon
A First Book of Microbiology
A fun learning journey
down the microscope lens.
Amazon
WHERE DO BEARS SLEEP?
Bedtime for Animals & Children
Illustrated Songbook
by Chris Meade
The Boy from the Night Sky
Thrilling fantasy adventure
for all ages.
Amazon
Naked in the Now
What if presence felt like
being seduced by life?
Amazon
Publishing Questions?
Find easy to understand
answers, top tips & more.
oldmatemedia
Book Love
YOUNG READERS become
WORLD LEADERS
Lorilyn Roberts
Holy Hell
Diabolical Delights: Twisted
Tales of Faith and Fear
Memoir & creative non-fiction
Escape From Peconic Bay
A fast-paced, historical novel
set during the run up to WW2
books2read
The Devil has Spoken
2020: The Devil has created a
virus that won't discriminate
Everand
MOTHER TO ELEPHANTS
A heartwarming, inspiring kids
picture book biography
THE STORY OF DAPHNE SHELDRICK
Terracolina-A Place to Belong
Magic & wonder collide
in this bold MG adventure
by Carla Kessler
MINIMUM SAFE DISTANCE (2022)
NOT pro-US Sci-Fi
weltweite, profond, prisbelönt
by X. Ho Yen
DEAR JAMES
I know it's been 20 years, but
I needed to tell you I'm sorry
Amazon
THE WAY OF WATER
Brilliant YA Fantasy with
Magic, Mystery & Romance
Amazon
Pure Ink Press
Quality partnership publisher
open for submissions
Pure Ink Press
Sam & Me & the Hard Pear Tree
A personal account of
a mother’s ultimate loss
Amazon
WAYS TO BE EQUALLY HUMAN
A deep dive into being non-
binary,climate activism & love
by Leslie Tate
Popina & Slumberina
Join in a Magical Journey of
Growth and Self Discovery
Amazon
The Lonely Lighthouse Bogle
A quirky tale celebrating
the magic of friendship.
Amazon
VR,AR &AI in Special Education
Tech transforming special ed:
benefits, risks & apps
Amazon
ARNI'S ADVENTURES
8 charming, silly, comic
stories to laugh at & enjoy.
Amazon