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littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Little Rebels Award
@littlerebsprize.bsky.social
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Est. 2012. The Little Rebels Children's Book Award celebrates UK radical fiction for readers aged 0-12. Run by Letterbox Library & Housmans Bookshop on behalf of the Alliance of Radical Booksellers #LittleRebelsAward #UKKidLit #KidLitUK #KidsBookAward
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littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · Oct 1
🥳🎉CONGRATULATIONS🎉🥳

We are delighted to announce that the Winner of the 2025 Little Rebels Award for Radical Children’s Fiction is @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social for The Fights That Make Us, published by Usborne.

Congratulations, Sarah! Our first ever double champion!!
#KidLitUK
Photo right hand corner of author Sarah Hagger-Holt. Under which is written the title of her book “The Fights That Make Us” and then “WINNER”. Left side is the book cover and, above that, a confetti shower.
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
🪧❤️A REBELLIOUS CIRCLE OF LOVE❤️🪧

In addition to the winner’s prize, every year, former #LittleRebelsAward recipient, @gill-lewis.bsky.social , gives a donation to the most recent winner to pass on to a charity of their choice.

This year, @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social donated to ….
#KidLitUK
November 10, 2025 at 1:54 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Fabulous to see the 2021 Winner of #littlerebelsaward @amdassu.bsky.social at the launch of her new MG book Wild Journey published by @zephyrbooks.bsky.social

Oooh- and two other winners in attendance!
Pic 1- with @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social (2023 winner)
Pic 2- Zanib Mian (2018 winner)
#KidLitUK
Az Dassu, left, stands smiling with Patrice Lawrence. Patrice holds up two copies of Wild Journey. In a bookshop, surrounded by bookshelves. Author Zanib Mian stands smiling, holding a copy of Wild Journey. Behind her is a tall bookshelf full of copies of the book. Just off to the right, in the background, we can see Az Dassu.
November 6, 2025 at 1:06 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Plenty more #LittleRebelsAward 2025 Shortlistee Catchup (they’re all so busy!) Except this one is also our 2025 Winner.

@sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social is in the middle of @empathylabuk.bsky.social’s Empathy Action Month. The #littlerebelsaward winning title is in perfect synch!
#KidLitUK
sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social Sarah Hagger-Holt @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social · 25d
November is Empathy Action Month - which means if you're a teacher, this is your chance to download free author videos (including mine!) and writing prompts to help your students grow their happiness through using their imaginations.
empathylab.uk/empathy-acti...
Text: Empathy Action month. Growing our happiness. Pictures of author Sarah Hagger-Holt and cover of The Fights That Make Us. Text: Register now to access free resources.
November 4, 2025 at 2:05 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
More of our #LittleRebelsAward 2025 Shortlistee Catchup…

The creatives behind the wonderful Kende! Kende! Kende! couldn’t attend our award night but Kirsten Cappy sent such a lovely message, packed with rebelliousness!

Extract below.

#KidLitUK
#UKKidLit
@childsplayusa.bsky.social
Background image taken from the picture book Kende! Kende! Kende! Superimposed are extracts from author Kirsten Cappy’s quote. Reads: “Imagine a country bereft of Lillie’s living family. Imagine a country without Lolie’s future contribution as, perhaps, an engineer. Imagine the co-authors’ community without the actual men and women who gave their love and voice to this book. It is unacceptable and, thus, we rebel. May KENDE! KENDE! KENDE! make little rebels of all its readers”
November 3, 2025 at 1:42 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
We blush proudly whenever we see our name in #LittleRebelsAward winners’ subsequent works.

Here we are, listed in @amdassu.bsky.social ‘s brand new illustrated middle grade: Wild Journey.😊
@headofzeus.bsky.social
#UKKidLit #KidLitUK
A section in the book called “About the Author”. This lists all of the author’s award credits including The Little Rebels Award. The cover of Az Dassu’s new book. Orange/black/white palette. 5 small illustrations depict each of the 5 chapters: An injured starling being cradled in 2 hands 2 camel riders linked with a rope A prowling wolf A child runs with homemade ‘wings’ An artist’s sketch book The 5 pictures are linked by a curving swirl- a starling murmuration Subtitle reads, “a flight of stories across deserts & forests, cities & seas”
October 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Continuing our #LittleRebelsAward 2025 Shortlistee Catchup…

Chibundu Onuzo’s Mayowa & the Sea of Words was chosen for Waterstones’ Paperback list for 2025.👏👏👏
@bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
#KidLitUK #UKKidLit
A screenshot from Instagram. Cover images of Mayowa & the Sea of Words and Ghostlines . Text details how both Bloomsbury titles have been chosen for the Waterstones Paperback list for 2025.
October 30, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Reposted by Little Rebels Award
sflayzell.bsky.social
My books are in a Halloween sale til 1 Nov! 👻🏳️‍🌈

Cottonopolis is a queer historical novel. Shortlisted for the 2025 #LittleRebelsAward 🎪
www.northodox.co.uk/product-page...

The Ballad of the Fen Violets combines history, folklore & adventure. Coming out in 2026 🦢
www.northodox.co.uk/product-page...
A graphic showing the cover of Cottonopolis on the left (one white girl and one Black girl in 1800s dress against a background of stars in the colours of the lesbian pride flag). On the right is some descriptive text: Little Rebels Award 2025 shortlist, a magical middlegrade full of marvel and mischief A graphic showing an orange cobweb and bats on a black backgrouns. In the bottom right is the Northodox Press logo. The text reads: 15% off this spooky season. Use the code HALLOWEEN25
October 27, 2025 at 4:15 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Playing #LittleRebelsAward 2025 Shortlistee Catchup…

How did we fail to notice that Cathy Jenkins won the Children’s Lit Fests 2025’s Indie & Small Publisher Young Reader Award?

Such a lovely win as children’s votes carry huge weight.

Congrats Cathy! @graffegbooks.bsky.social
#KidLitUK
A screenshot from a post by @ChildrensLFest on Twitter. Reads: “CONGRATULATIONS Winner of our #clfbookawards in the Independent & Small Publishers Young Reader category - chosen by children from 30 schools and 5 libraries: Cathy Jenkins & Monique Steel. #NationalYearofReading every year #readingforpleasure” Beneath text is a visual asset declaring the same with the cover of the book, “Zac & Jac”.
October 28, 2025 at 10:06 AM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Playing #LittleRebelsAward 2025 Shortlistee Catchup…

And @sflayzell.bsky.social marked #BookshopDay with a visit to one of the award organisers: glorious @housmansbookshop.bsky.social a happy hive of radical bookishness.

Pick up your copy of Cottonopolis when you’re next there, folk!
#KidLitUK
sflayzell.bsky.social SF Layzell @sflayzell.bsky.social · Oct 11
Happy Bookshop Day! Last week I visited my book Cottonopolis at radical booksellers Housmans nr Kings Cross London. If only I could stretch big enough to hug the whole shop.

If you're after a historical LGBTQ novel for readers young and old, find it here ❤️🏳️‍🌈
housmans.com/product/cott...
Image shows the front window of a small but perfectly formed bookshop. There is a book trolley in the foreground, and behind the book trolley is a smiling person in a blue coat, stretching their arms wide to showcase the window display.
October 24, 2025 at 10:34 AM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Now playing #LittleRebelsAward 2025 Shortlistee Catchup…

@ellemcnicoll.bsky.social ‘s Role Model was published this year and it’s going down a proper storm.
@knightsofbooks.bsky.social
#KidLitUK
hewlettelaine.bsky.social Elaine Hewlett @hewlettelaine.bsky.social · Sep 23
Had the absolute joy of a visit from @ellemcnicoll.bsky.social today and she was just fantastic! Lots of eager Yr7s will be devouring her new book tonight! #kidslit #reading #authors #schoollibraries
October 23, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Reposted by Little Rebels Award
savitakalhan.bsky.social
An amazing night celebrating such talented writers! So much heart in the room ❤️
October 22, 2025 at 9:43 AM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
6th November. Former #LittleRebelsAward Champion, @amdassu.bsky.social , is sharing her latest book at a totally FREE event for schools.
#KidLitUK
edpr.bsky.social ed public relations @edpr.bsky.social · 25d
Calling all teachers & librarians! The brilliant @amdassu.bsky.social is running a FREE virtual school event with Seven Stories on Thursday 6th November at 11am @zephyrbooks.bsky.social

Reserve your space here 👇
sevenstories.org.uk/event/author...
October 22, 2025 at 3:29 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Something for all you Big Rebels to get behind!

A callout to UK indie booksellers to amplify Day of the Imprisoned Writer / 15th November.
englishpen.bsky.social English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 27d
Calling all indie bookshops... 📣

Take part in our #PENWrites letter-writing campaign in solidarity with writers in prison for Day of the Imprisoned Writer on 15 November.

Find out more & sign up ⬇️
www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...
PENWrites x Day of the Imprisoned Writer - English PEN
Bookshops: join us to send messages of solidarity to imprisoned writers around the world
www.englishpen.org
October 21, 2025 at 10:23 AM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Where Are the Big Political Ideas in Children’s Books?

A blog written by organisers @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social in the inaugural year of #LittleRebelsAward.

www.letterboxlibrary.com/post/where-a...
#KidLitUK
October 17, 2025 at 12:50 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Our award night brings together a whole community of rebels, little and big. Former award winners and Big Rebels, @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social (left) ⬇️ & JT Williams ⬇️ (right), joined us this year.

And we spotted Patrice talking to a former shortlistee: Varsha Shah (right of Patrice)!
#KidLitUK
Former Winner Patrice Lawrence stands, posing and smiling. She’s taken off her glasses which she holds down in her right hand. Wears a black tank top & check trousers. To her left is Varsha Shah. She wears dark trousers and a glittery silver shirt/jacket. She too has a broad smile. There are bookshelves either side. A black and white head & shoulders portrait. On the left is author JT Williams.she smiles. Wears a bold patterned shirt. To her left is one of the award organisers - she wears a black suit jacket; smiling. Bookshelves either side.
October 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Wonderful to see our award merch featured in the @sla.org.uk newsletter back in September.
#KidLitUK
sla.org.uk The School Library Association @sla.org.uk · Oct 1
ICYMI: our monthly newsletters are available to read online as well as in your inbox. Catch up on everything from the beginning of term in our September bulletin, incl. the #SLAConference, #TheSchoolLibrarian, events, giveaways and more 👉 bit.ly/4mFqaW5 Your next newsletter arrives 7th Oct! #UKSLA
October 15, 2025 at 12:23 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
And we still want to big up all of our shortlistees. Now and always!
🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

Kende! Kende! Kende! had a coveted place as the only picture book on this year’s shortlist.
#KidsLitUK
childs-play.co.uk Child's Play (International) @childs-play.co.uk · Oct 4
✨Congrats to all the great Little Rebels & 2025 winner Sarah Hagger-Holt

Immensely proud of our shortlisted book KENDE! KENDE! KENDE! by Kirsten Cappy, Yaya Gentille, illustrated by Rahana Dariah✨

"May KENDE! KENDE! KENDE! make little rebels of all its readers" see Kirsten's message via our Insta!
October 14, 2025 at 1:03 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
⚡️Newsflash:

Author adds all correct award info. to their website.
#KidLitUK
#LittleRebelsAward
Shows a screenshot of author Sarah Hager Holt’s website which shows the cover of book The Fights That Make Us and then text reads, “Warm-hearted and powerful story of friendship, family and standing up for what you believe in for 10+ readers. Set now and the 1980s. Winner of the Polari Prize for Children & Young Adult books 2024 and the Little Rebels Award 2025, shortlisted for the Brilliant Books Award, the Young Quills Award for historical…”
October 14, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Reposted by Little Rebels Award
letterboxlibrary.bsky.social
Just adoring-again-these words from the 2025 @littlerebsprize.bsky.social Winner, @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social
💜💜💜⬇️
sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social Sarah Hagger-Holt @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social · Oct 2
But even more than that, being part of this award makes me feel part of a community of amazing, creative authors, dedicated teachers, booksellers and librarians and a wider community of people who are hoping, dreaming and acting for change. Thank you @littlerebsprize.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 7:05 AM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
THE Rad. Children’s Book Party of 2025😉

For those of you who were there- and those of you who weren’t, you can now see an album of happy faces from the recent #LittleRebelsAward Award Ceremony here:
littlerebels.org/2025/10/10/p...
@housmansbookshop.bsky.social
#KidLitUK
Photos from the 2025 Little Rebels Award Ceremony
Our 2025 award ceremony was held on October 1st at the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education in London. We were delighted to welcome shortlisted authors Elle McNicoll, Sarah Hagger-Holt, Cathy J…
littlerebels.org
October 13, 2025 at 1:12 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Hi #LittleRebelsAward Folk!
10 days on and we’re still absolutely buzzing 🐝from our award evening.

A huge thank you to @theclpe.bsky.social for allowing us to host in their glorious Literacy Library.

For your weekend, we leave you with this JOYFUL moment below…
#KidsLitUK
#UKKidsLit
A photo of a large group of people, standing. Most are mid-whooping! Smiles & laughter. At the centre is this years’s Little Rebels Award Winner, Sarah Hagger-Holt, holding a framed picture of 3 toddlers (one of whom is holding a ‘Take Action’ placard). To her left is Ken Wilson Max, the artist who created the picture. They stand in a space surrounded on all sides by bookshelves.
October 10, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Reposted by Little Rebels Award
sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social
In my local area, faith groups have supported each other after last week's attack in Manchester. This is how we stay strong. Fellow @littlerebsprize.bsky.social winner AM Dassu's 'Fight Back' shows this in action. DM me if you know a school/youth group who could use a copy, I'd love to buy them one.
Cover of AM Dassau's Fight Back, illustration showing students of different religions and backgrounds standing together
October 7, 2025 at 2:17 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
And now, (some of) our 2025 #LittleRebelsAward Shortlistees
happily join our little gallery of past shortlistees- thank you, all of you, for all of the work you have done making social justice topics engaging, riveting & accessible for young audiences ♥️
#KidLitUK ⤵️
October 7, 2025 at 12:45 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Special tribute was paid to Ken Wilson-Max at last week’s #LittleRebelsAward ceremony.

Ken has powered ahead with inclusive children’s books as an author/illustrator/publisher for 30+ yrs. An outstanding Big Rebel. Here, presenting @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social with a specially commissioned print.
Winner Sarah Hagger-Holt, wearing mostly black, stands, holding a framed print showing 3 rebellious toddlers; one holds a ‘Take Action’ sign. Standing to her left is Ken Wilson-Max in a red&white patterned shirt. They are surrounded by a crowd of happy faces.
October 7, 2025 at 12:31 PM
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
1/2 A fabulous Little Rebels Award Shortlistee Panel at our award night last week. Thank you @darrenchetty.bsky.social for your always-thoughtful & inquisitive chairing. And thank you @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social @ellemcnicoll.bsky.social @sflayzell.bsky.social &Cathy Jenkins..
#KidsLitUK
#UKKidsLit
Chair, Darren Chetty, sat down, in profile. He is speaking, holding a mic in left hand and looking down at his iPhone in right hand. To his left is author Cathy Jenkins who looks down, laughing. Author SF Layzell holds a mic & is talking. To her left is author Cathy Jenkins. To her right is author Elle McNicholl and, next to her, author Sarah Hagger-Holt. All are sat down, front facing. Everyone is smiling. Author Sarah Hagger-Holt has the mic now and is gesturing with her other hand, legs crossed, in a casual pose. To her right is a big board with a kids book illustration (red riding hood?) To her left is Elle McNicholl who is turned towards her and laughing. To her left we can just see SF Layzell. Now Elle holds the mic. The other panellists are all laughing.
October 6, 2025 at 12:43 PM