The Otto Foundation Children’s Book Award is back!

The Otto Foundation is pleased to announce the second Otto Foundation Children’s Book Award, as part of the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to celebrate excellent children’s literature and encourage reading for pleasure.

The Otto Foundation Children’s Book Award aims to:

• promote and support local publishers, authors and illustrators,

• celebrate South African stories,

• promote diversity in children’s literature, and

• recognise and celebrate quality storytelling.

Submissions are open!

The award is open to publishers, authors and illustrators, who are invited to submit titles published between 1 July 2024 and 1 May 2026 for consideration. Local self-published titles also qualify. Entries close on 30 April 2026.

The Foundation will award two book prizes: one for a picture book targeted at learners aged 5 to 9, and one for a chapter book or graphic novel aimed at learners aged 10 to 13. The winners will receive prize money to the value of R30 000 each. The winning titles will also be promoted through the Foundation’s website and social media channels.

During the judging process, the Advisory Panel will consider factors like authentic representation of South African culture and traditions; the quality, creativity, and originality of the storytelling and artwork; the relevance to the target audience; and the title’s celebration of diversity, inclusivity, and the multicultural reality of South Africa.

“We want to support local authors and illustrators that capture children’s imaginations, reflect their lived experiences, or introduce them to new ideas and perspectives. We look forward to seeing books that celebrate our unique country and make children fall in love with reading.”

Dr. Frouwien Bosman, Chief Executive of the Otto Foundation

What makes the Otto Foundation Children’s Book Award especially unique is that young local readers will also play a role in the selection of the winners. Following the nomination process, shortlisted titles will be included in the Otto Foundation’s annual Reading Relay, which is hosted among ten schools in the District Six and CBD areas of Cape Town. Book reviews submitted by participating learners during the relay process will be considered in the final selection of the award winners.

Further information about eligibility and submission guidelines can be found here.

Contact the Foundation’s Manager of Literacy Projects, Tania Kliphuis, at tania@ottofoundation.org for more information about the Otto Foundation Children’s Book Award.