Finalists 2025
Below is a list of the 2025 FINALISTS 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.
The WINNERS will be announced on April 1st, 2026.
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
- Red Ribbon Bands
- Adult/Children's Poetry
If you happen to be looking for a good read, the readers at The Wishing Shelf Awards thoroughly recommend the following:
Excuse Me: Dyslexic Inclusive (Life's Little Lessons From The Countryside Companions)
Author: Diane Hull
Cover Designer: Jeannie Duncanson
Sponsored Ads
The Boy and the Jaguar
A magical Mayan tale
for middle-grade readers.
Amazon
Monty and the Monster
Heartwarming adventure
of an unlikely friendship
Amazon
Mirrors & Smoke: A War of 1812
'A smartly plotted, character
novel set in 1800s Canada' WSA
Amazon/Audible
I FEEL YOUR STARE
An Autobiography by Cheryl
Gillespie - Book Award Winner!
Amazon
The Nephilem
A Sun-soaked setting
with a difference.
www.exquil.com
Publishing Questions?
Find easy to understand
answers, top tips & more.
oldmatemedia
Battle for Eklatros
Can Ànifa’s party save
Eklatros from the invasion?
Amazon
SEA CHANGE
Gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea
Nick Bamford
I’m Going to Have a Sister
For new siblings teaching
patience & understanding
thegreatbritishbookshop
The Book of Wisdom-ish
Adventure begins with
a book. And an A.
Amazon
Sprout's Surprise!
A humorous story with
a gentle ecofriendly message
Amazon
False Neutral
A story of choices made & not
made, & the collision of paths
Amazon
Sophia and Sinclair Get Lost!
A rabbit and a turtle get
lost in a hay maze!
Amazon
Sneaky Snobby by Jennifer Kvam
LOOK OUT! Making trouble is
Sneaky Snobby´s hobby!
Amazon
BELIEVING IN HORSES
Ride away with the
Believing in Horses books!
Amazon
The Woodsman
A 5* serial killer thriller
on Kindle and Unlimited
Amazon
Comfort in the Wings
An inspiring, heartfelt
journey of joy after loss
Amazon
BROKEN
A victim to survivor love
story with a twist.
Amazon
Book Love
YOUNG READERS become
WORLD LEADERS
Lorilyn Roberts
Children of the Knight
When the children rise,
will the city fall?
Amazon
Adventures of Wizard Aquarius
A clever young wizard searches
for his missing grandfather
Amazon
CLOUDY WITH CHANCE OF ANSWERS
"Crazy family. Endless cold
case. Then there's a clue!"
Amazon
The Devil has Spoken
2020: The Devil has created a
virus that won't discriminate
Everand
Hanna’s Ascent
A lyrical story of transgender
history and triumph
www.bedazzledink.com
THE CURIST
Abby Steel hunts an evil
killer. Can he be caught?
Amazon
The Tree of Life
Come with Lord Robert %
seek out an unknown 5th gospel
Amazon
THE WAY OF WATER
Brilliant YA Fantasy with
Magic, Mystery & Romance
Amazon
A Mixing Colour Adventure
Colour mixing, teamwork &
perseverance for 3 - 7 yr olds
Amazon
Crowded platforms Window Seats
One family's adventures
around Europe by train.
Amazon
Meet the Snozzeralls
Fun & Educational
Kids Picture Book
Amazon
GOING UNDER THE RADAR
Honest, insightful, battling
autism/mental health - TWSA
Amazon
A Lady Newspaperman's Dilemma
Alex’s goal: succeed in a 1926
male world of news reporting
Amazon
SECRET SKY
Everybody wishes they could
fly - until it happens
books2read.com
Glitching Souls - Steve Kenney
Neil can read minds...
He can't turn them off.
Amazon
Winkle and Aster
Urban fantasy that takes
imagination to its limits
books2read
Anna and the Adders
A rhyming counting book
to get little ones learning
Amazon
Fit to Eat
Empower yourself to age
without chronic diseases.
Amazon
Into the BeanStalk
Corrupt megacity, broken world
A girl hiding from her past
Amazon
What You Cannot See
A woman trying to navigate
and understand her life
Amazon
Fenix and the Firework Fliers
Can Fenix save the Fireworks
when a firefly gets sick?
creativemovementstories.com
The Faraway Mountains
A memorable novel about
growing up under dictatorship
Amazon
NUDGES FROM THE OTHER SIDE
Must-read for those who grieve
or curious about the afterlife
Amazon
MERCY'S VIEW: BLACKOUT
Memoir - A runaway's reckless
re-entry into society
Amazon
DRAGONDAH (9 - 12 year olds)
Solving ancient mysteries and
outwitting scheming villains!
Amazon
THE MAGIC OF KINDNESS
Join the adventure with
the cat witches here:
Amazon
A SQUEAKY TOY, A LEASH, AND
A PRAYER Mom's Choice Awards
GOLD - for dog loving families
Amazon
Tuskie’s Travels
Tuskie teaches his crew to
dissolve upsets in 30 seconds!
www.thekidcode.ca
Touch of the Whimsy
Witty fantasy, this Castaway
romance is an enigma!
Amazon
Beyond a World Apart
Story Nazis attempted to burn
based on historical events
Amazon
The Boy from the Night Sky
Thrilling fantasy adventure
for all ages.
Amazon
Terracolina-A Place to Belong
A fantasy to delight middle-
graders and nature lovers.
Amazon
ARNI'S ADVENTURES
8 charming, silly, comic
stories to laugh at & enjoy.
Amazon
Captain Polo Saving the Planet
"Eco-adventure comics
for middle graders"
www.alanhesse.com
THE GREAT MOSQUITO HUNT
Hunting the world for
the causes of disease
Amazon
Wild Asses of Mojave Desert
“Funny & tender, moving &
poetic" Recommended US Review
books2read.com
Mirrors & Smoke: A War of 1812
'A smartly plotted, character
novel set in 1800s Canada' WSA
Amazon/Audible
Thar She Blows
Brian got swallowed by
a whale. Mom’ll be mad.
www.books2read.com
ARNI'S ADVENTURES
8 charming, silly, comic
stories to laugh at & enjoy.
Amazon
The Gift of Knowing You
Discover all of who you are &
the power of your story.
Amazon