The Alligator’s Mouth Award 2025 Shortlist is here!

Now in its seventh year, the award – co-founded by The Bright Agency and The Alligator’s Mouth Bookshop – continues to spotlight the very best in highly illustrated children’s fiction for readers aged 6–8. It’s a celebration of the dynamic collaboration between authors and illustrators.

This year’s shortlist is packed with humour, heart, and visual brilliance – showcasing a fantastic range of formats and artistic approaches. Huge congratulations to all the creatives behind these brilliant books!

The 2025 Shortlist:

Beti and the Little Round House written by Atinuke, illustrated by Emily Hughes (Walker Books)

Gordon the Meanest Goose on Earth written & illustrated by Alex Latimer (Oxford University Press)

Murray and Bun: Murray the Viking written & illustrated by Adam Stower (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

Rabbit and Bear: This Lake is Fake! written by Julian Gough, illustrated by Jim Field (Hachette Children’s Books)

Supersquirrel and the Crazy Rain Maker written by Russell Punter, illustrated by Josh Cleland (Usborne)

The award is judged by a brilliant panel of children’s book experts, including authors, illustrators, educators and booksellers – all passionate about getting children excited about reading.

With Gardners offering up to 50% discount to independent bookshops on shortlisted titles and Coram Beanstalk running a schools competition to win the longlist, this year’s award is all about getting these exceptional books into more hands and hearts.

The winner will be announced at a special ceremony in July – stay tuned!

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Explore more at: www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/award