New chapter for Jewish Children’s Book Awards

A specialist Jewish children’s book publisher and the UK’s leading platform for Jewish writing and ideas have announced the return of the Jewish Children’s Book Awards for 2025.

Green Bean Books and The Jewish Literary Foundation are planning the honours, now in their fourth year, to recognise exciting – and previously unpublished – new work by Jewish writers and illustrators living in the UK and Europe.

They are an exciting opportunity for new authors and illustrators to gain recognition and aim to discover inspiring, relevant stories for young children based on Jewish history, values and traditions.

One author and one illustrator will each receive a separate £1000 prize and their winning entries will be considered for publication by specialist Jewish children’s book publisher, Green Bean Books.

This year’s illustrious line-up of judges consists of author and chair of the book selection committee of PJ Library Chris Barash; publisher of Green Bean Books Michael Leventhal, renowned illustrator and writer Omer Hoffmann, Associate Curator of Illustrated Children’s Book at The Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Orna Granot and new judge, Jewish Renaissance magazine editor, Rebecca Taylor.

Judge Chris Barash said: “With each year of the Jewish Children’s Book Awards, I’m increasingly gratified at the number and quality of the submitted materials. With such stories and illustrations being created around the world, the future of Jewish children’s literature is in excellent hands.”

Michael Leventhal said: “The awards can be an amazing springboard for previously unpublished writers and illustrators. Each year it is wonderful to see how Jewish themes are explored in fresh hands and I can’t wait to see the new entries.”

Rebecca Taylor adds that the awards embrace diversity in Jewish writing: “If you have a great story with beautiful illustrations there’s no reason why its protagonists shouldn’t be from every and any kind of background. The book awards have shown that this is absolutely possible and are hopefully heralding a new era for Jewish children’s stories.”

Omer Hoffmann said his “primary focus is on ensuring a consistent artistic style, which forms the foundation of any illustration” and is looking for a “unique perspective on the subject matter, and how it reflects the illustrator’s unique insights.”

• Full submission criteria for the 2025 Jewish Children’s Book Awards can be found here. Submissions close on Monday, 28 October at 5pm.