We are all geared up for the felicitation ceremony of the 2nd edition of the Children’s Literature Awards scheduled for October 7, 2024. We will be felicitating the winners and runners-up for the different award categories. The event will be held in Delhi, and will feature exciting panels, a storytelling session, and displays of publishers' and illustrators' work.
Why did we establish the Room to Read Children's Literature Awards?✨
Children's literature as an independent genre first took root in the West, making its mark in India’s vibrant literary scene only recently. Despite the growing interest, children's literature remains underrepresented in a country with such vast linguistic diversity, with only around 2,700 dedicated children's book publishers. However, we are seeing a surge of genuine efforts across India to create authentic, contextually rich literature that captivates young minds. These contributions are crucial in distinguishing children's literature from adult works and in nurturing imaginative, independent readers through libraries, learning centres, and personal collections.
In this emerging field, writers, illustrators, and publishers are embracing the challenge of weaving tradition with contemporary themes, reflecting India’s rich diversity through engaging stories and visuals. The Children's Literature Awards recognize and celebrate those who bring to life children’s experiences and inspire the joy of reading.
Our esteemed Jury for the Children’s Book Creators’ Award got together to discuss the shortlisted nominations for this year. It was an interesting opportunity for us to interact with them around the nuances of story writing and illustrating for children. Keep a watch on our social media handles to listen to them talk about the awards and their take on the children’s literature landscape. 
This award is constituted to honour the work of children’s books creators in Indian languages. This award especially acknowledges the young talent writing and illustrating for children, making the ecosystem more sustainable, and the publishers who are enabling them and keeping Indian languages alive by producing quality children's literature.Award Categories
I. Room to Read Children's Book Creators' Award
For ages 3-8 and 8-12
For ages 3-8 and 8-12
For ages 3-8 and 8-12
Nominations for Children's Book Creators' Award are now closed. Process for Children's Book Creators' Award
Meet the Jury
This award has been instituted to celebrate the stories that have been spreading the joy of reading among children. The award aims to celebrate the children’s literature in Indian languages as well as acknowledge the role teachers and librarians play in opening the world of stories for children, especially in their mother tongues. It is also a step forward towards addressing the lacunae in quality children’s books in regional and tribal languages. This year, in a first of its kind initiative, along with Hindi we are also introducing Teacher/Librarian’s Choice Award in Telugu. The Teacher/Librarian’s Choice will be given in two languages Hindi and Telugu in the 3-8 and 8-12 age categories.II. Room to Read Teacher/Librarian's Choice Award
Process for Teacher/Librarian's Choice Award
Children's Book Creators' Award 2023 Winners
The Felicitation Ceremony for the Children’s Literature Awards 2024 is on Monday, 7th October 2024
Of course, if you are someone who works in the field of Children’s Literature or is simply passionate about it, is you’re welcome to participate. Please write to RtR.Awards@roomtoread.org
After the felicitation at the ceremony, the winners and runners-up in all the categories and sub-categories will be announced on our social media handles.
Submission Guidelines for Room to Read’s Teacher/ Librarian’s Choice Award- English/Hindi
Submission Guidelines for Room to Read’s Teacher/ Librarian’s Choice Award- English/Telugu
Submission Guidelines for Room to Read’s Children’s Book Creators' Award in Young Author and Young Illustrator - English/Hindi
Winning the Room to Read Children’s Literature Awards in any category comes with the following benefits:
Children’s Book Creators' Award:
For this category, only the books originally written and published in the Hindi language are invited for nomination.
Teacher/librarian’s Choice Award:
For this category, nominations can be made for either Hindi or Telugu language books either originally published in the respective language or translated/adapted from an original Indian language book.
Absolutely yes, if your book has been originally written in Hindi and published with a registered Indian publisher.
Absolutely yes, if your book is published in an Indian language and qualifies on the criteria prescribed for concerned category of award.
If you are selected for any award, then we would like your presence for the award ceremony. In case, you are unable to attend the ceremony due to unavoidable circumstances, we shall deliver your award at the address mentioned in your nomination form.
You can write to us at RtR.Awards@roomtoread.org