Wow! What an amazing day!

We filled Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury to the rafters with over 600 children – with 600+ more watching across the county via a livestream in their classrooms. We were thrilled to welcome the fabulous authors of the Big Book Award 2026 shortlisted books that the children have been loving reading since Christmas.

We celebrated the children’s creativity in responding to the books through art, poetry, letters and film trailers, with prizes presented by our brilliant patrons @piers_torday and @martinbrownillustrator. We listened as the authors answered some of the hundreds of questions the children had sent in. Very excitingly, the wonderful poet Sara-Jane Arbury performed six amazing poems she had specially written about each of the books, as well as co-hosting the Awards Ceremony with our very own Simone.

And then finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for… We revealed which book the children had voted the winner of Shropshire Bookfest Big Book Award 2026…

… The fabulous WILDLANDS by @brogen_murphy !!!

HUGE congratulations, Brogen! We can’t wait for the sequel. And massive thanks to you and all the shortlisted authors @josephcoelhoauthor, @idanielpeak, @prleathley, @helenrutteruk, @mattgoodfellowpoet for inspiring children all across Shropshire with your incredible books.

To enjoy watching Brogen receive the Big Book Award and other highlights of the event, which took place on 21st April, please follow this link: Shropshire Bookfest Big Book Awards Ceremony 2026