top of page
Book Award
Celebrating South African Stories
The shortlists have been announced for the 2026 Otto Foundation Children's Book Award.
Read our press release regarding the shortlist here.
Award objectives
To promote and support local publishers
To promote new authors and illustrators
To celebrate South African stories
To promote diversity in children’s literature
To recognise and celebrate quality storytelling
Award details
The Otto Foundation will award two prizes. One for a picture book targeted at learners
aged 5 to 9, and one for chapter books or graphic novels aimed at learners aged 10 to 13.
Each of the winning titles will receive a R30 000 cash prize, and will be promoted through the Otto Foundation’s website, social media channels, and event-related PR.
Detail on the award categories, eligible titles, the reward criteria, and the process for selecting the award winners can be found in this award overview document.
The 2026 winner will be announced in October this year.
The 2024/25 award
For background on the inaugural Otto Foundation Children's Book Award,
read the announcement of the selection panel and the shortlisted titles
in the press release dated 2 October 2024,
and read the winners' announcement dated 12 February 2025.
Contact
For more information on the 2026 Otto Foundation Children’s Book Award please contact Tania Kliphuis at tania@ottofoundation.org.
bottom of page