Information Book Award 2022 shortlist announced!

June 23rd 2022

The School Library Association has announced the 2022 shortlist for their Information Book Award (IBA), in partnership with sponsors Hachette Children’s Book Group (HCG). Here at Peters we're also thrilled to be supporting the Award again for 2022.

What is the Information Book Award? 

Now in its twelfth year, the IBA aims to emphasise the importance of non-fiction by highlighting and celebrating the high standard of children’s information books. The awards are divided into three age categories, judged by a panel of educators. Children will then also have the opportunity to vote for their favourites in each group, as well as their favourite overall, to determine four additional Children’s Choice winners. 

Shortlist: book packs available

This year's shortlist is made up of 10 titles, drawing on themes of science, art and diversity. To find out more about the titles, click on the links or book covers below. You can also save on our discounted book packs. 

Age 0-7

All About Diversity by Felicity Brooks

An Engineer Like Me by Dr. Shini Somara

Meet the Microbes! by Dr Emily Grossman

What is Racism? by Katie Daynes and Jordan Akpojaro

Age 8-12

Black and British: An Illustrated History by David Olusoga

Making A Baby: An Inclusive Guide to how Every Family Begins by Rachel Greener

Unleash Your Creative Monster: A Children's Guide to Writing by Andy Jones 

Age 13-16

Black Artists Shaping the World by Sharna Jackson and Dr Zoe Whitely

Grown: The Black Girl's Guide to Glowing Up by Melissa Cummings-Quarry and Natalie A. Carter

What's the T? by Juno Dawson

Popular and new authors

The 2022 shortlist sees the return of some former favourites, such as author Katie Daynes who was shortlisted for the award back in 2016 and then again last year, when she went on to become the IBA's overall 2021 winner for her Lift the Flap First Questions and Answers book, Why Do Things Die? Familiar names from Usborne also include Felicity Brooks, whose title The Usborne Big Book of Colours was crowned the 0-7 children's choice winner back in 2016. Felicity then appeared on the IBA shortlist again in 2020 with illustrator Mar Ferrero for their book, All About Feelings. 

Along with past successes, this year also sees a debut from publisher Thames and Hudson, whose Black Artists Shaping the World title from award-winning author Sharna Jackson and Dr Zoé Whitely marks their first appearance on the IBA shortlist. Margaret Pemberton, IBA Chair, says: This is once again a tremendous year for high quality, informative and enjoyable information books. The range of books is wide and they cover diverse and fascinating topics, in all of the age categories. Choosing the shortlist has been a strenuous but exhilarating challenge to the judges."

Free resources

Along with the shortlist, accompanying activities that can be easily implemented in a school library or classroom setting have been released to help schools unlock the full potential of these titles. These are available to download for free via the SLA website.

Get involved!

Children are encouraged to get involved in the award by voting to crown their favourites – voting for the Children's Choice also opens today. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in November.

For more information and to download your resources, click here.