The Waterstones Children's Book Prize is an annual award given to a work of children's literature published during the previous year. First awarded in 2005, the purpose of the prize is "to uncover hidden talent in children's writing" and is therefore open only to authors who have published no more than three books.
laura Beginning in 2012, the prize was divided into three categories: Picture Books, Fiction 5–12, and Teen. Each category winner receives £2,000 with an overall winner chosen from the three getting an additional £3,000 (thus the overall winner receives £5,000 in total).
Winners and shortlists
2005 – The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill
Nelly the Monster Sitter by Kes GraySiberia by Ann HalamThe Goose Girl by Shannon HaleThe Merrybegot by Julie HearnThe Whole Business with Kiffo and the Pitbull by Barry JonsbergUrchin of the Riding Stars by M. I. McAllisterThe Whispering Road by Livi MichaelAirborn by Kenneth OppelOlivia Kidney by Ellen PotterJammy Dodgers on the Run by Bowering SiversThe Time Wreccas by Val Tyler2006 – The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John BoyneShakespeare's Secret by Elise BroachThe Quantum Prophecy by Michael CarrollGregor and the Rats of Underland by Suzanne CollinsJack Slater, Monster Investigator by John DoughertyRalph the Magic Rabbit by Adam FrostThe Lottery by Beth GoobieNorth Child by Edith PattouSpymice by Heather Vogel Frederick2007 – Darkside by Tom Becker
Nathan Fox: Dangerous Times by L. BrittneyJake Cake: The Werewolf Teacher by Michael BroadSebastian Darke by Philip CaveneyA Swift Pure Cry by Siobhan DowdBunker 10 by J. A. HendersonThe Black Book of Secrets by F. E. HigginsThe Case of the Missing Cats by Gareth P. JonesThe Thing with Finn by Tom KellySmugglers by Christopher Russell2008 – Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls
Tumtum and Nutmeg by Emily BearnTIM Defender of the Earth by Sam EnthovenShadow Forest by Matt HaigBlue Sky Freedom by Gabrielle HalberstamBetween Two Seas by Marie-Louise JensenAncient Appetites by Oisín McGannStone Goblins by David MellingBroken Soup by Jenny Valentine2009 – 13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison
How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant by Elen CaldecottZelah Green Queen of Clean by Vanessa CurtisChangeling by Steve FeaseyGnomes are Forever by Ceci JenkinsonThe Lady in the Tower by Marie-Louise JensenMapmaker's Monsters by Rob StevensNumbers by Rachel Ward2010 – The Great Hamster Massacre by Katie Davies
Flyaway by Lucy ChristopherThe Crowfield Curse by Pat WalshThe Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria ForesterLove, Aubrey by Suzanne LafleurThe Seven Sorcerers by Caro KingThe Toymaker by Jeremy De QuidtMeteorite Strike by A. G. TaylorDesperate Measures by Laura Summers2011 – Artichoke Hearts by Sita Brahmachari
The Memory Cage by Ruth EasthamTall Story by Candy GourlayThe Pain Merchants by Janice HardyWereworld: The Rise of the Wolf by Curtis JoblingFantastic Frankie and the Brain-Drain by Anna KempA Beautiful Lie by Irfan MasterMortlock by Jon MayhewWhen You Reach Me by Rebecca SteadFor 2011 publications the Prize was divided into three categories with separate shortlists, announced in February 2012.
2012 – The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Duddle (Overall and Picture Book)
TeenYou Against Me, Jenny DownhamBeing Billy, Phil EarleAmy and Roger's Epic Detour, Morgan MatsonMy Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, Annabel PitcherDivergent, Veronica RothBetween Shades of Gray, Ruta SepetysFiction 5-12The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, Liz PichonThe Windvale Sprites, Mackenzie CrookMuncle Trogg, Janet FoxleySky Hawk, Gill LewisMilo and the Restart Button, Alan SilberbergClaude in the City, Alex T. SmithPicture BookThe Pirates Next Door, Jonny DuddleNo!, Marta AltésI Don't Want to be a Pea!, Ann Bonwill and Simon RickertyA Bit Lost, Chris HaughtonI Want My Hat Back, Jon KlassenGood Little Wolf, Nadia Shireen2013 – Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher (Overall and Teen)
TeenKetchup Clouds by Annabel PitcherSeraphina by Rachel HartmanSkin Deep by Laura JarrattInsignia by S. J. KincaidThrone of Glass by Sarah J. MaasGeekhood: Close Encounters of the Girl Kind by Andy RobbFiction 5-12Wonder by R. J. PalacioThe Wolf Princess by Catherine ConstableAtticus Claw Breaks the Law by Jennifer GrayThe Secret Hen House Theatre by Helen PetersChronicles of Egg: Deadweather and Sunrise by Geoff RodkeyI Am Not A Loser by Jim SmithPicture BookLunchtime by Rebecca CobbRabbityness by Jo EmpsonOh No, George! by Chris HaughtonThe Worst Princess by Anna KempThe Journey Home by Frann Preston-GannonCan You See Sassoon? by Sam Usher2014 — Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell (Overall and Fiction 5-12)
Teen – Geek Girl by Holly Smale
The Bone Dragon by Alexia CasaleButter by Erin LangeIf You Find Me by Emily MurdochPaper Aeroplanes by Dawn O'PorterOur of the Easy by Ruta SepetysFiction 5-12 – Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell
The School for Good and Evil by Soman ChainaniDarcy Durdock by Laura DockrillShiverton Hall by Emerald FennellSkull in the Wood by Sandra GreavesThe Last Wild by Piers TordayPicture Book – Open Very Carefully by Nicola O'Byrne
Harold Finds a Voice by Courtney DicmasWeasels by Elys DolanPenguin in Peril by Helen HancocksTime For Bed, Fred! by Yasmeen IsmailThe Crocodile Who Didn't Like Water by Gemma Merino