In today's author spotlight video, Nikkolas Smith talks about educational justice in his beautifully illustrated information book 'The History of We' @4nikkolas.bsky.social @rocktheboatnews.bsky.social youtu.be/QVWxl-Y3TWI?...

Our shortlist author spotlight videos are here! You can catch them all on our YouTube channel but we'll be highlighting them here one at a time...first up @deborahhocking.bsky.social introducing her wonderful Non-Fiction book: 'The Great Pollination Investigation' youtu.be/tqUxgw0UhDA?...

Buzz's Book club is back, bigger and buzzier than ever before! Our mascot, Buzz, (with help from Scott) will be recommending brilliant books every Friday - so watch this space... First up, the legendary 'Varjak Paw' by @whatsfsaid.bsky.social #BuzzsBookClub www.sparkbookawards.co.uk/schools/buzz...

The Sparkies were rushed off their feet with the first day that our spark shelf was open! @sparkbookaward.bsky.social

Our Poetry Competition is now open! You don't have to have read the books YET - write a poem inspired by the title or cover of our shortlisted books. Participating schools have received further details via email this morning. We can't wait to read your poems!

11+ Fiction Shortlist 2026! ✨📚🏆 #Spark6Shortlist

9+ Fiction Shortlist 2026! ✨📚🏆 #Spark6Shortlist

7+ Fiction Shortlist 2026! ✨📚🏆 #Spark6Shortlist

Our guest category: Non-Fiction Shortlist 2026! ✨📚🏆 #Spark6Shortlist

And here they are in all their glory... Picture Fiction for Early Readers Shortlist 2026! ✨📚🏆 #Spark6Shortlist

And last but definitely not least - here are the four thrilling reads shortlisted in the 11+ Fiction Category. Congratulations to all the authors! #Spark6Shortlist

Here are the inspiring and engaging reads shortlisted in our 9+ Fiction category - congratulations! #Spark6Shortlist

Here are the brilliant books shortlisted in our 7+ Fiction Category - congratulations all! #Spark6Shortlist

Our guest Non-Fiction category shortlist is full of fascinating and beautifully illustrated information books. Congratulations to these amazing authors and illustrators... #Spark6Shortlist

Starting strong - announcing the shortlist for our Picture Fiction for Early Readers category... congratulations to these incredible authors and illustrators! #Spark6Shortlist

Apologies...we had some technical difficulties with the videos! Take two...

We’re so excited to announce our 2026 shortlists!

WATCH THIS SPACE! 👀 We're so excited about sharing our brilliant shortlists with you on Friday! Which books are you hoping to see? #SparkBookAward2026

And finally, congratulations to the authors and illustrators of the 12 excellent longlisted books in our 11+ Fiction category! #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Congratulations to the fantastic authors and illustrators of the 12 longlisted books in our 9+ Fiction category! #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Congratulations to the amazing authors and illustrators of the 12 longlisted books in our 7+ Fiction category! #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Congratulations to the brilliant authors and illustrators of the 12 longlisted books in our Non-Fiction category! #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Congratulations to the authors and illustrators of the 12 longlisted books in our Picture Fiction for Early Readers category! #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 12, 11+ Fiction: 'The Uninvited' by Ross MacKenzie. Two boys, one broken world, and a secret that could shatter both realms. @andersenpress.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 12, 9+ Fiction: 'Shrapnel Boys' by Jenny Pearson. As the Blitz rages, Ronnie faces his own fight to stop his brother being led into a dangerous, shadowy world. (Usborne) #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 12, 7+ Fiction: 'Leo and Ralph' by Peter Carnavas. When lonely Leo discovers a furry alien named Ralph in his garden, an extraordinary friendship begins. @pushkinchildrens.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 12, Non-Fiction: 'Blitz' by Martin Impey. Inspired by family history, this visual account of one family’s experience of the London Blitz is notable for its attention to detail and outstanding draughtsmanship. (Harbour Moon) @martinimpey.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 12, Picture Fiction for Early Readers: 'Dim Sum Palace' by X. Fang. A mouthwatering adventure with culture and charm. @pushkinchildrens.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 11, 11+ Fiction: 'Wolf Siren' by Beth O’Brien. Will Red Riding Hood be able to resist the lure of the forest in order to save the wolves and protect her family secret? @harpercollins.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 11, 9+ Fiction: 'Small Wonder' by Ross Montgomery. Follow Tick into the wild, where deadly cold and a kingdom in peril turn protecting his little brother into an epic adventure. @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social @mossmontmomery.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 11, 7+ Fiction: 'Grumpfort' by Jamie Hammond. Step into Grumpfort for a marvellous monster-filled adventure packed with mystery, mayhem and laughs. (Usborne) #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 11, Non-Fiction: 'Frog' by Isabel Thomas & Daniel Egneus. Awe and wonder are exquisitely conveyed through well-matched poetic text, vibrant artwork, and thoughtful design. @kidsbloomsbury.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 11, Picture Fiction for Early Readers: 'The Worried Book' by Howard Pearlstein & James Munro. A comforting companion for anxious minds and big feelings. @graffegbooks.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 10, 11+ Fiction: 'Under the London Sky' by Anna Woltz & transl. by @michehut.bsky.social. Friendships form and romance blossoms during nights spent sheltering in the underground. But who will live? And who will die? @rocktheboatnews.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 10, 9+ Fiction: 'Running My Own Race' by Abena Eyeson. The new boy at school shines on the track but has to tackle tough challenges off it, learning that finding his own rhythm is the true victory. @nosycrow.bsky.social @eyesab2.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 10, 7+ Fiction: 'Buzz Sausage Wolf' by Jim Beckett & Aurelie Lise-Anne. A hapless sausage dog with wolfish dreams scrambles through chaos, comedy and spilled hot chocolate as he attempts to be the perfect pet. @hachettechildrens.bsky.social @jimbeckett.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 10, Non-Fiction: 'See Inside AI' by Alex Frith, Victoria Williams & Beatrix Hatcher. A popular lift-the-flap format introduces children to the world of AI. (Usborne) @beatrixhatcher.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 10, Picture Fiction for Early Readers: 'Let’s Play Rugby!' by Gordon D’Arcy, Paul Howard & Ashwin Chacko. An interactive book that’s fast, fun and full of sporting spirit. @littleislandbooks.bsky.social @whackochacko.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 9, 11+ Fiction: 'Nettle' by Bex Hogan. A barefoot misfit, a dangerous bargain, and a realm stitched from moonlight and lies. @zephyrbooks.bsky.social @bexhogan.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 9, 9+ Fiction: 'WOOD: Taller, Older, Wiser' by Tanya Turner, iIllust. by Blanka Szonda. Patrick Wood prefers the company of his best friend—an oak tree named Robert—but when declared a hazard, Patrick must find help to save him. (Troubador) #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 9, 7+ Fiction: 'Wild Magic: Legend Of The Black Lion' by Abiola Bello & Emma McCann. Two siblings with secret animal powers go on Safari in Ethiopia to find the magical Black Lion - before it disappears forever! @simonkidsuk.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 9, Non-Fiction: 'Tales of Scary Beasts' by Susan Martineau & Vicky Barker. Sailors suckered to their deaths by sea monsters - fact or fiction? Oozing appeal for thrill-seeking readers who want to uncover the truth behind the legends. @bsmallpublishing.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 9, Picture Fiction for Early Readers: 'Harmony House' by Monika Singh Gangotra & Nicci Martin - a story of music, connection and finding your voice. @owletpress.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 8, 11+ Fiction: 'The Brightest Star' by Meg Grehan. A stunning verse novel that captures the chaos of navigating anxiety, self-discovery, and surviving secondary school. @littleislandbooks.bsky.social @megcathwrites.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 8, 9+ Fiction: 'The Odyssey of Phoebe Quilliam' by Annelise Gray. Following in her grandmother’s footsteps, Phoebe’s love of art and adventure sweeps her into her own Odyssey—an epic journey of friendship, love, and loss. @zephyrbooks.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 8, 7+ Fiction: 'Froggy' by Paige Walshe. Froggy is like no other frog you have met. Get ready for adventure and plenty of laughs as Froggy hops out beyond his pond! @paigewalshe.bsky.social @flyingeyebooks.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 8, Non-Fiction: 'Earth’s Biggest Show Offs' by Andy Seed & Sam Caldwell. An ideal balance between a light-hearted voice and fascinating facts; expanding minds and entertaining in equal measure. @quartokids.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 8, Picture Fiction for Early Readers: 'These are My Rocks' by Bethan Woollvin. A uniquely bold tale of collecting and being a collector. (Frances Lincoln) @bethanwoollvin.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 7, 11+ Fiction: 'No Refuge' by Joe Brady & Patrice Aggs. What would you do if you were forced to leave everything behind? This tense graphic novel maintains suspense all the way through. @dfbstoryhouse.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚

Day 7, 9+ Fiction: 'The Dawn of Adonis' by Phil Earle. As London’s shadows close in, 12-year-old Nettie risks everything to save a baby gorilla from the cruel Goliath Deeds, before it’s too late. @andersenpress.bsky.social @philearle.bsky.social #Spark12BooksOfChristmas 🎄🎁📚