The Wainwright Prize 2026 children’s picture book bundle

Discover these beautifully illustrated nature books to inspire a lifelong love of wildlife for younger readers!

The shortlist for The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Picture Books brings together a beautifully illustrated and imaginative collection of stories that introduce younger readers to the wonders of the natural world.

Two shortlisted books feature whales, with Yuval Zommer’s, The Whale that Sings in the Deep illustrating the long migratory journey of a solitary blue whale, and Whale Song by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup, following the story of one whale’s song as it spreads across the world’s ocean. Three titles celebrate the sun and sky; The Sun Thief by Alice Hemming and illustrated by Nicola Slater stars a squirrel on a mission to find out who steals the sun each night, and Firefly by previous Wainwright Prize winner Robert Macfarlane, illustrated by Luke Adam Hawker, follows a sun-seeking child who discovers a meadow illuminated by fireflies. Isla and the Sky by Greg Stobbs is a beautiful tale weaving emotion and the weather and tells the story of a young girl’s love for Sky, and the importance of Sky's rainfall. A River Running Through You by Amy-Jane Beer, illustrated by Elin Manon, is a mesmerising reflection on our place within nature, whilst Annie Booker’s The Great Bear (2026 category winner) is a hopeful take about the power of nature. The Summer Puppy by Jackie Morris and Cathy Fisher follows a young puppy called Rosie as she grows, learns and explores her world.

The 2026 shortlists were selected by an academy made up of independent booksellers, specialist nature reviewers, and authors from across the UK. Publishers Frances Lincoln, in association with the National Trust, launched The Wainwright Prize for UK Nature and Travel Writing in November 2013. The Prize aims to reward outstanding titles inspired by the general outdoors, nature and travel.

Please note: Your order will be dispatched once all eight books are available. Stock may be limited at times due to the popularity, but new copies reach our warehouse very quickly, so delays are minimal.