Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Little Rebels Award

@littlerebsprize.bsky.social

120 followers 130 following 130 posts

Est. 2012. The Little Rebels Children's Book Award celebrates UK radical fiction for readers aged 0-12. Run by Letterbox Library & Housmans Bookshop on behalf of the Alliance of Radical Booksellers #LittleRebelsAward #UKKidLit #KidLitUK #KidsBookAward

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 7d

🥳🎉CONGRATULATIONS🎉🥳

We are delighted to announce that the Winner of the 2025 Little Rebels Award for Radical Children’s Fiction is @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social for The Fights That Make Us, published by Usborne.

Congratulations, Sarah! Our first ever double champion!!
#KidLitUK

Photo right hand corner of author Sarah Hagger-Holt. Under which is written the title of her book “The Fights That Make Us” and then “WINNER”. Left side is the book cover and, above that, a confetti shower.

1 8 17

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 1d

FYI
@sflayzell.bsky.social
@ellemcnicoll.bsky.social
@sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social
@darrenchetty.bsky.social
@knightsofbooks.bsky.social
@graffegbooks.bsky.social
@northodoxpress.bsky.social

1 3

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 1d

And now, (some of) our 2025 #LittleRebelsAward Shortlistees
happily join our little gallery of past shortlistees- thank you, all of you, for all of the work you have done making social justice topics engaging, riveting & accessible for young audiences ♥️
#KidLitUK ⤵️

1 4 6

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 1d

Special tribute was paid to Ken Wilson-Max at last week’s #LittleRebelsAward ceremony.

Ken has powered ahead with inclusive children’s books as an author/illustrator/publisher for 30+ yrs. An outstanding Big Rebel. Here, presenting @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social with a specially commissioned print.

Winner Sarah Hagger-Holt, wearing mostly black, stands, holding a framed print showing 3 rebellious toddlers; one holds a ‘Take Action’ sign. Standing to her left is Ken Wilson-Max in a red&white patterned shirt. They are surrounded by a crowd of happy faces.

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 2d

…your contributions were spot on,highlighting the political/radical ‘work’ of your books &truly showcasing why you all own the title BIG REBEL It was a privilege to hear you all-the audience feedback was so, so good!
@northodoxpress.bsky.social
@knightsofbooks.bsky.social
@graffegbooks.bsky.social

1 1

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 2d

1/2 A fabulous Little Rebels Award Shortlistee Panel at our award night last week. Thank you @darrenchetty.bsky.social for your always-thoughtful & inquisitive chairing. And thank you @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social @ellemcnicoll.bsky.social @sflayzell.bsky.social &Cathy Jenkins..
#KidsLitUK
#UKKidsLit

Author SF Layzell holds a mic & is talking. To her left is author Cathy Jenkins. To her right is author Elle McNicholl and, next to her, author Sarah Hagger-Holt. All are sat down, front facing. Everyone is smiling.

Author Sarah Hagger-Holt has the mic now and is gesturing with her other hand, legs crossed, in a casual pose. To her right is a big board with a kids book illustration (red riding hood?) To her left is Elle McNicholl who is turned towards her and laughing. To her left we can just see SF Layzell.

Now Elle holds the mic. The other panellists are all laughing.

1 4 4

Reposted by Little Rebels Award

Cole Beauchamp 🏳️‍🌈 📖 @nomad-sw18.bsky.social · 6d

Oh @littlerebsprize.bsky.social & @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social I can't tell you what good it did my heart today to see the title of your book. These are hard times. So thanks Sarah for writing it & thanks to all involved in publishing and celebrating it!

1 1 2

Reposted by Little Rebels Award

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 6d

Congratulations again to Sarah Hagger-Holt and to all the shortlisted rebel authors! Great evening celebrating with @letterboxlibrary.bsky.social Their book packs include excellent reading guides www.letterboxlibrary.com/product-page...

5 8

Reposted by Little Rebels Award

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 7d

Huge congratulations to Sarah Hagger-Holt who has won the #LittleRebelsAward for an unprecedented second time, this time with THE FIGHTS THAT MAKE US. 🎉👏 @littlerebsprize.bsky.social #UKKidLit

booksforkeeps.co.uk/sarah-hagger...

1 2 11

Reposted by Little Rebels Award

Sarah Hagger-Holt @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social · 6d

Now feels like a good time to mention that I do school visits! www.sarahhaggerholt.com/author-visits

Author visits | Sarah Hagger-Holt

www.sarahhaggerholt.com

2 3 4

Reposted by Little Rebels Award

Sarah Hagger-Holt @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social · 6d

Slide saying 'Sarah Hagger-Holt, The Fights That Make Us', the book cover and text saying 'Little Rebels award winner'. Sarah Hagger-Holt holding a picture of children protesting.

1 1 4

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 6d

while steeling themselves for contemporary protest.”

Congratulations again!

[ @housmansbookshop.bsky.social @darrenchetty.bsky.social ]

1 5

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 6d

..and Sarah Hagger-Holt’s novel could hardly be more timely and relevant for the queer community—particularly for young people, who are paying close attention to a history of both discrimination and resistance…

1 1 4

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 6d

..in book bans and pre-emptive censorship decisions by librarians. Add to that the chaos and harm being caused in this country by the recent Supreme Court Ruling on the legal definitions of sex and gender, alongside the creeping encroachment on LGBTQ+ rights across several western democracies..

1 1 2

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 6d

The award organisers said:

“The Fights That Make Us is a beacon of resistance in this current climate. Last year’s research by PEN America and UK @indexoncensorship.org both revealed that children’s books representing people of colour and LGBTQ+ people are
disproportionately represented..

1 1 3

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 6d

1/4
🥳CONGRATULATIONS to the first ever double prize winner of The Little Rebels Award for Radical Children’s Fiction @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social

#KidLitUK
#UKKidLit
…a little thread on why this book matters so much ⬇️

1 6 9

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 7d

1 8 17

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 7d

We’re so excited we get to celebrate all of the shortlistees tonight before The Big Rebel Reveal.

Stay tuned here and on Instagram.

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 7d

TONIGHT
TONIGHT
TONIGHT
#UKKidLit #KidLitUK
#LittleRebelsAward
#WinnerReveal

1 4 9

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 8d

The Shortlistee Panel is always an Award Ceremony highlight.

This is last year’s panel ⬇️, chaired by @darrenchetty.bsky.social who has everyone’s attention here!

We’re so looking forward to hearing from our 2025 shortlistees tomorrow. And we’re delighted Dr Chetty will be back chairing!
#KidLitUK

Shows a colour photo of a panel discussion. All are sat, looking towards the chair, Darren Chetty who is on the far right. To his right and onwards are shortlistees Kate Rafiq, Karen George, Jane’s Catchpole, Harry Woodgate, Helen Rutter, Eliza Paganelli, Jen Reid, (barely visible) Yaba Badoe and J.T.Williams.
Behind them is a screen with a poster image of the 8 books in that year’s shortlists. There is a surround of bookshelves.

1 2

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 8d

Chibundo Onuzo / @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
@sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social / Usborne
Kirsten Cappy & Yaya Gentille / @rahanabanana.bsky.social / @childs-play.co.uk

@housmansbookshop.bsky.social

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 8d

Congratulations once more to:
Cathy Jenkins / Monique Steele / @graffegbooks.bsky.social
@sflayzell.bsky.social / @northodoxpress.bsky.social
@ellemcnicoll.bsky.social / @knightsofbooks.bsky.social
….cont….

1 3

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 8d

Dear #LittleRebelsAward Folk:

Ahead of tomorrow evening’s Award Ceremony, let’s remind ourselves of our very brilliant

🪧LITTLE REBELS AWARD
SHORTLIST 2025🪧

Books which are ⭐️plump⭐️with social justice content and hopeful activism!

#KidLitUK
#UKKidLit
#bookawards
#kidsbookawards

1 8 9

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 9d

What a panel! What a night!

Last October 2024, our Shortlistee Panel shared all of their most rebellious thoughts at our award night ceremony. (See alt text for names)

We can’t wait to hear what our 2025 Shortlistee Panellists have to say.
#LittleRebelsAward
#KidLitUK

Photo shows a lineup of little rebels award shortlistees from last year / 2024. From left to right back row: JT Williams, Yaba Badoe, Jen Reid, Harry Woodgate, James Catchpole, Karen George, Kate Rafiq, Diane Ewen

Two shortlistees crouch at the front- these are Elisa Paganelli and Helen Rutter.

Behind them is a screen with a poster image of the 8 books in that year’s shortlists. There is a surround of bookshelves.

1 2

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 9d

In 2023, Winner @lawrencepatrice.bsky.social donated hers to Black Butterfly, a mutual aid, cultural & wellbeing organisation.

I wonder who our 2025 winner will pledge their £250 to?

(This is one of 3 prizes the #LittleRebelsAward Winner receives. Other prizes include a winning cheque).
#KidLitUK

1 2

Little Rebels Award @littlerebsprize.bsky.social · 9d

1/2 📣In 2022, former winner, shortlistee & Special Commendation recipient @gill-lewis.bsky.social pledged £250 annually to the #LittleRebelsAward winner to give to a charity of their choice.

Last year, Winner JT Williams donated her £250 to Accumulate: An Art School for the Homeless
#KidLitUK

A black & white photo of the little rebels award winner of 2015, Gill Lewis, taken the year she was awarded a special commendation-in 2018. She holds a bottle of fizz and a box of chocolates in her right hand. In her left she holds a copy of her book, Sky Dancer.

1 1