Children’s books for school prize giving awards
Books make excellent Speech Day prizes – they’re meaningful, long-lasting, and easy to personalise. The right book can reflect a student’s interests, mark a specific achievement, or tie into the day’s theme. You can choose titles that suit different age groups, celebrate academic or character strengths, or highlight diverse voices. Add a handwritten message, the school logo, or a custom bookplate, and it becomes more than a gift – it’s a book for life. This list features books by Michael Rosen, William Shakespeare, David Olusoga, Jenny Broom, Clotilde Perrin, Andrew Pettie, William Bee, Ziggy Hanaor, Sally Symes, and Bob and Roberta Smith.
Children’s books for prize giving and speech days – our recommendations
Primary school prize giving books
Life (As We Know It) by Ziggy Hanaor
This lively nonfiction picture book kicks off with the Big Bang and charts the rise of life on Earth, from single-celled organisms to mammals. Along the way, it highlights key moments like photosynthesis, underwater ecosystems, and the leap to land. Aimed at curious readers in primary and lower secondary school, it blends clear explanations with bold visuals. It’s perfect for exploring life sciences or Earth’s early history and would an excellent prize for EYFS and KS1 awards ceremonies.
William Bee’s Wonderful World of Things That Go! by William Bee
Covering every type of truck from fuel tankers and fire engines to tractors and combine harvesters this is the ultimate book for young vehicle lovers. The easy to read font and accessible text set to bold and intricate line work illustrations is a winning combination. There’s also one of William Bee’s toy rabbits cleverly hidden on each page. Can you find them all? This glorious hardback would make a wonderful gift for children aged 6-10 or a perfect book to share in primary school and classroom libraries. It’s guaranteed to keep KS1 children and reluctant readers in lower KS2 engrossed for months and it’s perfect as a prize for celebration assemblies.
First Big Book of How by Sally Symes and Saranne Taylor
Covering topics from space to the human body, First Big Book of How supports STEAM learning by encouraging curiosity and exploration. This whopping 256 page hardback is ideal for children who love to think deeply about how the world works, and with detailed illustrations and diagrams throughout, would make a centrepiece KS1 library resource or inspirational gift. Highly recommended, this is an ideal book to award at end of year prizegivings.
The Remarkables by Clotilde Perrin
Clotilde Perrin’s book brings 40 imaginative kids to life, each with their own quirks and “superpowers.” Every double-page spread dives into a child’s unique traits, blending vibrant illustrations with playful descriptions. It’s a celebration of individuality, encouraging readers to embrace creativity and self-expression. Packed with charm and personality, this book isn’t just for kids – it’s a gem for parents and teachers too, sparking conversations about empathy, differences, and what makes us all wonderfully unique. It’s a perfect prize book for your school’s final assembly.
The Wonder Garden by Jenny Broom
A beautifully realised illustrated exploration of five incredible habitats – each meticulously detailed in colourful pictures and snappy labels. Journey through the Great Barrier Reef and the Amazon in this visual masterpiece. Great for sparking off imaginative 9-year-old young minds, this metallic embossed hardback would make a magnificent gift or prize on your school’s founder’s day.
The Greatest Stuff on Earth by Steve Tomecek and John Devolle
Ever wondered what makes up the world around you? This book dives into the science of everyday materials – air, water, DNA, even your smartphone – breaking down big ideas into fun, bite-sized facts. Geologist and educator Steve Tomecek makes complex concepts easy to grasp with clear explanations, lively illustrations, and eye-catching diagrams. A mix of science and narrative, it’s perfect for curious kids who love to ask “why?” Highly recommended for KS2 awards celebrations.
Inside Your Brain by Lucy Ann Unwin and Caswell Barry
This engaging nonfiction book dives into ten big breakthroughs in brain science, from ancient Egyptian skull surgery to Luigi Galvani’s twitching frog legs. Phineas Gage’s famous accident makes an appearance too, alongside clear explanations of how the brain is built and how it changes. There’s even a look at AI’s role in modern neuroscience. Written by Lucy Ann Unwin and neuroscientist Caswell Barry, it mixes real-life cases, hands-on experiments, and curious facts. It’s an ideal book for a KS2 award.
Maps of the United Kingdom by Livi Gosling and Rachel Dixon
This illustrated atlas takes readers on a tour of the UK, map by map, with counties, castles, festivals, and the odd famous face along the way. From local inventions to quirky traditions, each spread brings a region’s character to life. Rachel Dixon teams up with illustrator Livi Gosling to create a book that’s as much about culture as it is about geography. A great pick for primary and lower secondary learners curious about the UK and its stories. It’s a lovely book to present at a commendations assembly.
The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook for Kids by David Borgenicht and Justin Heimberg
This illustrated guide mixes real-world survival tips with a dash of the bizarre – think volcano escapes, wild animal encounters, and what to do if you stumble into a time-travel mishap. With clear steps, lively visuals, and just enough silliness to keep things fun, it’s aimed at younger readers who love a bit of adventure. It’s a spot on choice for an end-of-year-award.
Get Dressed! by Katy Canales
This illustrated nonfiction book explores fashion through ten cultures and time periods, from samurai armour to jazz-age flair. Each chapter encourages children to link outfits with the people who wore them—think geishas, warriors, or musicians – while uncovering the meanings behind the materials, shapes, and rules. Designed by Katy Canales, it even sneaks in a peek at future fashion and some standout modern designers. It’s a lively way to show how clothes tell stories, both past and present and a fascinating prize giving title for both artistic and practical KS2 children.
Epic Journeys by G.C Sam
This nonfiction book takes readers on a journey along some of history’s most fascinating travel routes – from the Silk Road to the Trans-Siberian Railway. It delves into how trade, migration, and culture shaped these paths, with stories behind their origins and purpose. G.C. Sam’s writing, paired with Raquel Martín’s illustrations, brings each route to life.
Art Makes People Powerful by Bob and Roberta Smith
This interactive book gets children thinking creatively, using playful drawing prompts and simple materials to explore big ideas like identity, imagination, and how we express ourselves. Inspired by themes from art history, the activities are fun without being fluffy—space, perspective, even a bit of visual storytelling. Created by British artist Bob and Roberta Smith, it encourages kids aged 6 to 11 to see art as more than just a school subject.
Timeline by Peter Goes and Sylvia Vanden Heede
This striking visual history book sweeps from the Big Bang to the 2010s, with each spread unfolding like a graphic timeline. Peter Goes packs in civilisations, inventions, revolutions – you name it – using detailed panels and punchy captions to keep things moving. Translated by Sylvia Vanden Heede, it’s a book to dip into or get lost in, especially for readers who prefer pictures to pages of text. It’s a lively, sprawling take on world history that’s anything but dry and it’s perfect for your primary school’s annual prize day.
Michael Rosens Pocket Shakespeare by Michael Rosen
This lively collection introduces Shakespeare through themed extracts, love, conflict, and the odd ghost, paired with clear notes and vocabulary help. Michael Rosen adds context in his lucid, accessible style, while Chris Riddell’s illustrations bring a touch of wit. There are soliloquies, songs, and sharp one-liners, all chosen to spark interest and discussion. Aimed at upper primary and lower secondary pupils, it’s a great way to explore the Bard without feeling overwhelmed. Handy indexes make browsing easy. Highly recommended.
What Can I Do When I Grow Up by The School of Life
This thoughtful guide helps children explore what work really means – beyond just earning money. It looks at how people find (or create) jobs, what makes work feel worthwhile, and how careers shift over time. With prompts and questions throughout, it encourages readers to think about their own interests and what matters to them. Created by The School of Life, it blends big ideas with practical thinking, making it a useful companion for inquisitive Year 6 pupils and perfect for prize giving.
The Book of Me by The School of Life
This spectacular and inspiring journal invites children to consider and write down exactly what makes them unique, what interests them and what matters to them. Taking “readers on a journey inside themselves”, morality, mental health, body image, friendships, family relationships and aspirations are all explored in a positive and contemplative way. At 184 pages, there’s a colossal amount of thinking to be done – easily enough for long summer holidays – and the reflective and positive nature of this book lends it to a Y6/7 transition project before starting a new school. Once completed, this journal will become a priceless portal back to that point in the child’s life.
Absolutely Everything! Revised and Expanded by Christopher Lloyd
This ambitious nonfiction book races through history – from the Big Bang to the modern day – linking science, politics, inventions, and culture across the globe. Events unfold side by side, showing what was happening where, all at once. Christopher Lloyd’s clear writing pairs with Andy Forshaw’s detailed maps and timelines to bring it all together. It’s ideal for a Y6 prize giving at the end of primary school.
Secondary school prize giving books
Listified! by Andrew Pettie
This spectacular 415 page hardback is an encyclopedia with a difference. Split in to eight sections, including space, animals and inventions, a wide STEM curriculum is covered. Each section contains a series of brighlty illustrated lists, which contain key facts and insights about a topic. The highly accessible format allows children to find an area that interests them, and explore in detail with minimal fuss, and it’s a great way for your child to become knowledgeable about so many things in such little time. A cracking reference book, Listified! is a standout book for prize giving to stand the test of time.
Black History for Every Day of the Year by David Olusoga and Yinka Olusoga
This engrossing and fascinating daily exploration of Black history highlights key figures, events, and achievements from ancient times to the present. Featuring biographies, timelines, illustrations, and photographs, it connects moments across history, offering insights into global contributions and struggles. With entries on well-known figures like Aretha Franklin, as well as unsung heroes, historical movements and cultural milestones are explored to provide an immersive synthesis of Black history. An inspirational school award pick for 11+ year olds.
Britannica All New Children’s Encyclopedia by Britannica Group
This substantial hardback reference book packs in everything from the Big Bang to AI, blending science, history, geography, and more. It’s arranged by theme and time, with timelines, visuals, and expert snippets that make big ideas easier to grasp. Edited by Christopher Lloyd and illustrated by Mark Ruffle and Jack Tite, it also spotlights key figures past and present. It’s perfect for KS3 end of year prize giving awards.
Escape Castle Dracula by Sam Fern, illustrated by Adam Allori
Sam Fern invites readers into a spectacular interactive adventure set within Count Dracula’s castle. Readers are challenged to help characters like Victor Frankenstein and Dr Jekyll in 14 classic horror narratives, all while solving tricky puzzles and mazes in this highly illustrated hardback. Cleverly combining storytelling with problem-solving, this book is a great way to explore classic literature. Illustrated by Adam Allori, the detailed artwork is mesmerising, and Escape Castle Dracula promises hours of entertainment. This book is absolutely fantastic, and children will read and re-read it for years to come. It’s a fascinating book to award as a school prize.
Big Ideas from Literature by The School Of Life
Dive into the history of literature from the dawn of writing to the present day with Big Ideas from Literature. This insightful and thought-provoking large hardback introduces children to timeless classics and modern children’s fiction, revealing the profound impact stories have on our lives. Through engaging narratives, readers discover key ideas embedded in literature, encouraging empathy, resilience and contemplation. This magnificent book celebrates the enduring friendship between readers and books and shows how stories shape our understanding of the world. Big Ideas from Literature would make a fantastic book for prize giving. Highly recommended for academically able children interested in literature.
Britannica’s Encyclopedia Infographica by Valentina D’Efilippo, Andrew Pettie and Conrad Quilty-Harper
Explore a world of knowledge with “Encyclopedia Infographica,” which features 200 infographics packed with information about space, Earth, animals, humans, and technology. Every page is laden with visual hooks and just the right amount of text to spark thought, imagination and higher-order questioning. At 1.5 kilograms, this hardback is packed full of amazing facts. Complex ideas are made graspable and 11+ year old readers will gain confidence knowing that they’ve learned something new. A stunning achievement, Britannica’s Encyclopedia Infographica is highly recommended for children interested in STEM, real facts and learning how the world and universe beyond works.
Big Ideas from History by The School of Life
Thorough, in-depth, enticingly illustrated and thought-provoking, Big Ideas from History covers a diverse selection of civilisations and cultures. It doesn’t simply explain the where, who and when; it focuses on the how and why, and prompts children to think. Spanning prehistory, ancient realms, the middle ages, the early modern period, industrialisation, the world of today and predictions for the future. A substantial book in every sense – this 320-page hardback weighs in at over two-thirds of a kilogram – this is the perfect ‘big’ book prize for a curious lower secondary aged child.
The Chambers Dictionary, 13th Edition by Chambers
This updated edition packs in over 1,000 new words and meanings, keeping the quirky charm and sweeping scope of earlier versions. First published in 1872, it still boasts more entries than any other single-volume English dictionary. A new two-colour section dives into word origins and how meanings shift – fascinating stuff for language lovers. Popular with crossword fans and wordgame fans, it’s a go-to for anyone after detailed definitions or a peek into the twists and turns of English. It’s an ideal prize for secondary school speech days and prize giving.
The RSC Shakespeare: The Complete Works by William Shakespeare
This edition brings together all of Shakespeare’s plays, sonnets, and poems—even the lesser-known ones like The Passionate Pilgrim—with notes, summaries, and staging insights from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Edited by Sir Jonathan Bate and Professor Eric Rasmussen, it’s based on the 1623 First Folio and packed with detail, including Stage Notes from over 100 RSC productions. It’s a worthwhile choice for secondary school prizegivings.
The Art Book by Phaidon
This updated edition showcases over 600 artists – each with one standout piece and a bite-sized explanation – ranging from medieval icons to modern trailblazers. It’s alphabetically arranged, so you’ll find big names next to hidden gems, with fresh additions like Hilma af Klint and Jacob Lawrence. A visual reference at heart, it’s packed with styles, media, and cultural viewpoints. It’s perfect for final year KS4 end of term assembly prize giving.
Philosophy in 40 Ideas by The School of Life
This thoughtful guide explores 40 big ideas from both Eastern and Western philosophy—think Confucius to Heidegger, with a bit of Buddha and Nietzsche in between. Themes like love, work, and self-understanding are brought to life through real-world examples that actually make sense. Created by The School of Life, it offers a wide-angle view of how people think, believe, and behave. This clever book would make an inspired selection for presentation day prizes.
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BISAC JNF013000 – Juvenile Nonfiction | Thema YR
