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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Truth Was Once Taboo
New humanity, ancient
wisdom: spirituality reborn.
Amazon
Sara My Sara
A moving tale of friendship,
loss, and the gifts of grief.
Amazon
Out of the Darkness...
A memoir of animal
connections, love, and healing
books2read.com
SIN EATER
A unique, funny, and
emotional novel for YA
Amazon
Building The Beast:
The Comic Memoir
of a Crazy Idea!
Amazon
The Monster Bones of...
A time travel mystery about
an ancient skeleton for kids.
by Linda Maria Frank
Clouds on the Ground
Poems exploring natural beauty
and the realm of dreams
Amazon
A QUEST FOR HIDDEN THINGS
A cozy, coming-of-age
fantasy adventure
by Karen Eisenbrey
REMEMBER THIS
Award-Winning
Spiritual Masterpiece
Truly life changing!
Book Love
YOUNG READERS become
WORLD LEADERS
Lorilyn Roberts
THEY'RE ALL BARKING
Springer Spaniel's eye-opening
view of human behaviour
Amazon
A Lion's Head
Myth brought to life.
A fantasy novel for YA.
by D.M. De Alwis
Rider of the Wind
An exultant celebration
of the magic of music
Amazon
Demons to Champions
A tale of neurodivergent
awakening and triumph.
Amazon
Holy Hell
Diabolical Delights: Twisted
Tales of Faith and Fear
Memoir & creative non-fiction
Your Words Your Love
A dazzling explosion
of beauty for your soul.
books2read
THE WAY OF WATER
Brilliant YA Fantasy with
Magic, Mystery & Romance
Amazon
Connecting Threads
A graphic memoir of
resilience and hope
Amazon
THE TRALL SERIES
Middle-grade portal
fantasies set in Australia.
by Gayle Torrens
INTO THE BLAZE
A new trilogy where fantasy,
myth, and reality entwine
Amazon
LoveVortex ... Drakor's Curse
A voyage into the unknown -
and a terrible curse.
Amazon
A Misfortunate Misfit
Incredible true story of a
man saving his own life
Amazon
Publishing Questions?
Find easy to understand
answers, top tips & more.
oldmatemedia
BEAUTIFUL AND TERRIBLE THINGS
A NOVEL. Award-winning story
of social justice & friendship
Amazon
The Scrivener's Apprentice
Words have power.
Especially hers.
Amazon
101 Ways to Wow! Our World
Insights, ideas, & actions
to WOW your life now!
Amazon
THE NIGHT SLAYER
Perfect for PERCY JACKSON fans
'Thrill-a-page, fantasy' TWSA
Amazon
Aunty Jane Knits Up A Storm
Knitting, Friendship, Loss &
Healing in a Children's Story
Amazon
MERRYSHIELDS
A magical, action-packed
portal story for kids!
by Jen Jones