The Jewish Children's Book Awards launch their final competition

Heads of the Jewish Children's Book Awards are inviting entrants to submit their stories for the last time.

Run by Green Bean Books and The Jewish Literary Foundation, the prize celebrating exciting new work by Jewish writers and illustrators working in the UK and Europe returns in 2026 for its fifth and final year.

After uncovering and rewarding writing and illustrative talent over four successful years, the 2026 awards will be exclusively a writing prize.

Entrants must submit their own original, unpublished story, inspired by Jewish history, values or traditions and suitable for children aged between four and eight, by November 5, 2025.

The winner of the best story will receive a £1,000 prize and all entries will be considered for publication by specialist Jewish children’s book publishers, Green Bean Books.

It is an opportunity for both aspiring writers and established authors to gain recognition for new work and have a chance to see that work in print. Two books have already been published as a result of the awards, with And Eddie Had an Egg, written by Dina Leifer, winner of the JCBA awards 2023, and illustrated by 2021 winner Sharon Spitz, coming out soon.

[Missing Credit]

This year’s line-up of judges consists of author and chair of the book selection committee of PJ Library, Chris Barash; publisher of Green Bean Books Michael Leventhal; illustrator and writer Omer Hoffmann; associate curator of Illustrated Children’s Book at The Israel Museum in Jerusalem Orna Granot, and Jewish Renaissance magazine editor Rebecca Taylor.

Michael Leventhal said: “We've had five successful years of the children’s book awards and are hugely proud of the way we’ve created a platform for new and exciting talent from across Europe. Our funding has now come to an end, but we still really want to celebrate all the creativity and talent that the awards have ignited.

"Green Bean Books remains committed to finding new talent, both writers and illustrators of Jewish children's stories from all over the world, and we’ll continue to find ways to give them opportunities to showcase their creativity. If anyone reading this feels as passionately as we do about nurturing new Jewish talent in Europe and would consider stepping in as a sponsor of the awards please do contact us.”

Lihie Jacob and Joe Yaffie, who won last year's awards[Missing Credit]

Leventhal urged writers to enter what he hoped would be the prize’s “best year yet”.

“We’ve been so impressed by the past entries,” he said. “We really want to find exciting, innovative stories and discover how Jewish themes are explored in fresh, new ways. We want to go out on a high, so, if you have a great idea for a children’s book with a Jewish theme, there’s no excuse for not getting involved.”

Rebecca Taylor added: “For five years, the Jewish Children’s Book Awards has been pushing boundaries with its pioneering approach to children’s books with Jewish content. Its focus on combining beautiful illustrations with imaginative narratives that encompass wide-ranging connections to being Jewish are an example of what children’s books can be.

"Jewish Renaissance is delighted to be supporting the awards again in their mission to pave the way for a new generation of stimulating and inspiring storytellers.”

Chris Barash said that having participated in the consideration of manuscripts and illustrations since the inception of the awards, it was “gratifying” for him to see “the continued high quality”.

He said: “Each year, new and talented names are added to the mix. I’m eager to see what the coming year’s submissions will bring."

For further details of the prize and submission criteria, click here or visit greenbeanbooks.com/JCBA2026 or email info@greenbeanbooks.com