Today's Read Team Lauren Child Nominated for Carnegie Medal 2025
Famed author and illustrator Lauren Child has received a nomination for the prestigious Carnegie Medal for Illustration for her latest work, Grey (Walker Books), marking a significant milestone as it comes 25 years after she first won the medal for her debut Charlie and Lola book in 2000.
About the Carnegie Medal Awards
Announced during the London Book Fair on March 11, 2025, this recognition falls under the auspices of the UK’s longest-running book awards dedicated to children and young people. The awards honor exemplary literary contributions, providing a platform for both established and emerging talents.
Shortlisted Nominees
Alongside Child, the nominated list features:
- Yu Rong, a talented illustrator making his third nomination
- Debut author-illustrators Theo Parish and Kate Rolfe
Writers and illustrators hailing from various regions in the UK, including Norfolk, Cambridge, Wiltshire, Bath, Peckham, Stockport, Hertfordshire, and Belfast, have also been recognized across both awards.
Thematic Trends in Writing
In the writing category, prominent Scottish writers Brian Conaghan and former NHS worker Margaret McDonald have both been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Writing. Interestingly, this marks a second nomination for Conaghan, alongside Nathanael Lessore, both previously recognized for their literary contributions.
Organizers of the award highlighted a significant theme emerging this year: the exploration of masculinity and the modern experience of young males. Many nominees are representing the voices of boys and teenagers from marginalized communities, portraying diverse settings ranging from foster homes to urban estates in South London.
Independent Publishers Shine
This year’s nominations include a nod to independent publishers, with seven out of the 12 shortlisted publishers being independent entities. Notably, four small presses—Firefly Press, Otter-Barry Books, UCLan Publishing, and Lantana—are among the nominees, showcasing the vibrant landscape of children’s publishing in the UK.
The Impact of the Carnegie Medals
The Carnegie Medals celebrate the exceptional reading experiences found in children’s and young adult literature. Unique to these awards is the panel of librarians who judge the nominations, while Shadowers’ Choice Winners are determined through voting by thousands of reading groups across schools and libraries both in the UK and internationally.
