Our fantastic panel of judges are hugely inspiring and influential. They are passionate about books and reading, each with expertise in their category and are well-known in the book writing, publishing and illustrating industry. 

Announcing the 2025 Judges!

Shortlist Committee

Meet our Shortlist Committee below. They are responsible for selecting entries against the criteria and will meet in person to agree on the final shortlist for the judges. 

Sanchita Basu De Sarkar
Sanchita Basu De Sarkar
The Children's Bookshop
Owner

Jay Bhadricha
Jay Bhadricha
Forward Arts Foundation
Head of Programmes

Caroline Carpenter
Caroline Carpenter
The Bookseller
Children's Editor and Deputy Features Editor

Stevie Derrick
Stevie Derrick
The Week Junior Science+Nature
Deputy Editor

Scott Evans
Scott Evans
The Reader Teacher
Primary School Teacher and Author

Charlotte Eyre
Charlotte Eyre
The Bookseller
Children's Book Previewer

Dan Green
Dan Green
The Week Junior Science+Nature
Editor

Jake Hope
Jake Hope
Freelance
Reading Development and Children's Book Consultant

Dave Kelsall
Dave Kelsall
The Week Junior
Art Director

Deborah Maclaren
Deborah Maclaren
LoveReading4Kids
Managing Director

Isabel Popple
Isabel Popple
BookTrust
Book Selection and Purchasing Manager

Emma Scott
Emma Scott
Calibre Audio
Director of Commissioning and Editorial

Lucy Starbuck Braidley
Lucy Starbuck Braidley
The National Literacy Trust
Senior Programme Manager for Reading for Enjoyment

Meet the rest of our brilliant judges for 2025

Working alongside our Shortlist Committee, meet the judges who will help select this year’s winners – bringing their expertise, insight, and passion for reading to the final decision.

Alison Palmer
Alison Palmer
Book Clubs in Schools
Director

Camilla Pang
Camilla Pang
Scientist in Sustainable Innovation, Award Winning Author, Neurodiversity Advocate

Phoebe Demeger
Phoebe Demeger
CLPE (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education)
Librarian

Lucas Maxwell
Lucas Maxwell
Glenthorne High School
Librarian

Daniel Hahn
Daniel Hahn
Translator, writer, editor

October Jones
October Jones
GLL Wandsworth Libraries
Children's Librarian

Isabel Thomas
Isabel Thomas
Science writer

Dr Sheila Kanani
Dr Sheila Kanani
Her Place For Space
Author, space educator

Mr Dilly
Mr Dilly
Educator

Imogen Russell Williams
Imogen Russell Williams
The Guardian
Children's book critic

Joe Fletcher
Joe Fletcher
The Week Junior
Staff writer