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
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Escape From Peconic Bay
A novel of love, impending
war, and espionage.
books2read
NUDGES FROM THE OTHER SIDE
Must-read for those who grieve
or curious about the afterlife
Amazon
Sophia and Sinclair Get Lost!
A rabbit and a turtle get
lost in a hay maze!
Amazon
THREE DETAIL STORIES audiobks
Where storytime is an
adventure designed by kids
threedetailaudiobooks
The Last Professional
A hobo, a wanderer, a madman-
their lives are on the line!
www.eddavisbooks.com
Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows &
humans dying at the Mesa?
Amazon
BURT, THE AIRPORT CAT
Follow Burt, the black cat,
on a fun family adventure
Amazon
Literary Historical Fiction
Karma and horses drive one
family through 2500 Years.
Amazon
Mother To Elephants
A Beautiful Tale of
Care and Compassion
Amazon
An Enemy Like Me
A story not only of war but of
love & what we will do for it.
Amazon
Beyond the Brink
Teleportation is just the
beginning...
Amazon
Fenix and the Firework Fliers
Can Fenix save the Fireworks
when a firefly gets sick?
creativemovementstories.com
CLEAR-CUTS
In 72 hours, a legend, a lore
& 2 brothers will all collide
Amazon
Pebbles and the Biggest Number
A butterfly’s quest to
find the largest number
Amazon
EVERKNIGHT
A Heroic Journey of
Uncompromising Honor
Amazon
The Book of Wisdom-ish
Adventure begins with
a book. And an A.
Amazon
Arctic Dinosaurs
Her first Arctic year -
middle grade - free activities
Fathom Publishing
When Secrets Come to Light
A novel of love, mystery
friendships, and murder
www.georgerhopkins.com
100% SUCCESS MINDSET
Achieve your goals and
improve personal development
Amazon
Rainbow Bridge
Ever wondered where your
dog ends up after this life?
Amazon
Book Love
YOUNG READERS become
WORLD LEADERS
Lorilyn Roberts
Tatiana and the Russian Wolves
A Russian émigré reconciles
tragic family secrets
www.stephenevansjordan.com
Children of the Realm
Girl finds mythical origins
in YA urban fantasy
Amazon
Crowded platforms Window Seats
One family's adventures
around Europe by train.
Amazon
The Woodsman
A 5* serial killer thriller
on Kindle and Unlimited
Amazon
2024... Your Year of More
is a meaningful self-help
book for wise readers.
Amazon
Then We'll Say Goodnight
How would you get your
unruly puppies back to bed?
Amazon
“Later,†Said Gator
Encourage kids to clean up
in a positive, fun way!
Amazon
The Secrets of Hawthorne House
An unlikely friendship, clash
of cultures, and hidden magic
Amazon
Truth Was Once Taboo
New humanity, ancient
wisdom: spirituality reborn.
Amazon
Children of the Knight
When the children rise,
will the city fall?
Amazon
WELCOME TO OPINE
Homo Sapiens 2.0: Will genetic
blessing be their undoing?
Amazon
For Evil Done & Evil Suffered
Gripping murder mystery; tease
the brain & stir the senses.
Amazon
THE FISH TANK - short stories
NARRATIVES ABOUT LIFE, EXILE,
GHOSTS…AND MURDER.
books2read
Tilda Finds Her Rainbow
Journey of kindness, courage,
friendship and forgiveness
nicolaalewis.com
Bentley Makes a Dump Cake
A delightful, messy adventure
with joy, teamwork, & color
Miki Taylor
THE GRAVITY OF LIES
WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE
WAS BASED ON LIES?
Amazon
Forever Boy
Isaac comes to realize his new
friend harbors dark secrets.
books2read
PARIS BLUE, first love memoir
Classical music and first love
in the magical city of Paris
www.mybook.to
DON'T DOUBT THE RAINBOW series
Crime-busting teen
detective adventures!
www.crownhouse.co.uk
Hanna’s Ascent
A lyrical story of transgender
history and triumph
www.bedazzledink.com
Clouds on the Ground
Poems exploring natural beauty
and the realm of dreams
Amazon
HEALER'S BLADE
Can a young woman change
the fate of England?
StoryOrigin
Aunty Jane Knits Up A Storm
Knitting, Friendship, Loss &
Healing in a Children's Story
Amazon
Rooted and Remembered
An orphaned boy wonders if
home is a place or a feeling.
Goodreads
MERCY'S VIEW: BLACKOUT
Memoir - A runaway's reckless
re-entry into society
Amazon
THE MERMELF
Mystery girl. Mermelves arrive
Dystopian rebellion begins
Amazon
A Tree in Time
A fabilious journey into
the distant past.
gentlpresspublishing.co.uk
The Last Spiritwalker
Blood, magic, myths &
a badass female lead
Amazon
THE IMPROBABLE WONDERS OF
MOOJIE LITTLEMAN "Visionary,
magical, rich" -MC WEEKLY
Amazon
Mirrors & Smoke: A War of 1812
'A smartly plotted, character
novel set in 1800s Canada' WSA
Amazon/Audible
Sea Change by Nick Bamford
'A gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea'
nickbamford.com
The One Week Writing Workshop
7 Days to Spark, Boost
or Revive Your Novel
Karin Adams
I Never Said I Love You
A story of travel, friendship,
forgiveness, & roads not taken
Amazon
MEMOIR OF A MANGLED MIND
Steve's 2 other personalities
wreak havoc all around him
Amazon
The Putaway Monster
A delightful mystery to
solve as toys disappear.
Amazon
How We Healed
A vivid family saga and an
unforgettable healing odyssey
Amazon
GRAVE SECRETS-Cassandra Aston
The dark fantasy you've
been waiting for
Amazon
Tilda Finds Her Rainbow
Journey of kindness, courage,
friendship and forgiveness
nicolaalewis.com