It’s time - the longlist is here for The Alligator’s Mouth Award 2025!

“This fantastic longlist is bursting with all that is wonderful in illustrated fiction for young readers. We’re having so much fun recommending these funny, exciting, beautifully illustrated adventures – all these books will encourage young readers to go on a thrilling imaginative journey.” - Tony West and Margaret Wallace-Jones of The Alligator’s Mouth.

The full longlist for The Alligator’s Mouth Award 2025:

Bertha and Blink: Rumble in the Jungle written & illustrated by Nicola Colton (Little Tiger)

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)

Izzy the Inventor and the Time Travelling Gnome written by Zanna Davidson, illustrated by Elissa Elwick (Usborne)

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)

Reggie Rabbit: The Great Carrot Heist written by Swapna Reddy, illustrated by Becka Moor (Oxford Children’s)

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

The O.D.D. Squad: Rise of Invisidog written by Stuart Heritage, illustrated by Vincent Batignole (Puffin Books)

Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends written & illustrated by Rose Lihou (Puffin Books)

Tom Griffiths - a passionate educator and advocate for reading, currently serving as Head Teacher at Cheswick Green Primary School said:

“I’m sure you’ll agree The Alligator’s Mouth longlist is a wealth of incredible children’s literature. A diverse line-up featuring stories ranging from adventure to comedy, there’s something for every reader. I can’t wait to share this longlist with the children at my school – it’s going to be really tricky to shortlist this brilliant line-up. The Alligator’s Mouth Award is going to be a close call this year and I’m so excited to be a part of the process.”

Joining him on the judging panel is founder of Storymix Jasmine Richards, Head of Coram Beanstalk Amy Lewis and children’s author Mariesa Dulak.

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We look forward to celebrating the incredible talent of the 2025 nominees and, ultimately, a new winner for The Alligator’s Mouth Award.

The shortlist will be announced in May 2025.

Keep up to date with the awards at www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/award and on Instagram at @alligatorsmouth.