The Week Junior Book Awards have unveiled the 2025 shortlist, celebrating the best in children’s literature across 14 categories, from exciting adventures, heartwarming stories and gripping graphic novels to fascinating factual books and eye-catching front covers.

The shortlist committee, including children’s book consultant Jake Hope, award-winning bookseller Sanchita Basu de Sarkar, and The Bookseller’s children’s editor Caroline Carpenter, have selected 63 books for consideration. Author and singer Geri Halliwell-Horner, TV presenter and author George Webster, presenter and actor Rhys Stephenson, and lexicographer Susie Dent are among the judges who will select the winning titles. The Week Junior readers will also vote for the winners of the Children’s Choice and Cover of the Year Awards categories. Winners will be announced at an award ceremony in central London on 29 September.

To view the full shortlist, plus find out more about the awards, visit theweekjuniorbookawards.co.uk.

Now in their third year, The Week Junior Book Awards were created to celebrate the very best in books for young readers, increasing awareness of the lifelong benefits of reading for pleasure and ultimately inspiring children to discover their next great read.

A recent survey of 2,000 UK families commissioned by The Week Junior magazine found that while an overwhelming 82% of children are keen to discuss current events, just three in 10 parents report feeling fully confident in their ability to talk about what’s going on around the globe in a manner that is accessible, accurate, and reassuring to their children.

The shortlist reveals the vital role children’s literature plays in tackling important topics in an approachable way, helping young people make sense of their world. Debut novel The Boy in the Suit (James Fox) and The Wrong Shoes (Tom Percival) both explore the impact of child poverty; Elle McNicoll’s Keedie tackles bullying; The Letter with the Golden Stamp (Onjali Q. Rauf) highlights the challenges of being a young carer, and poetry anthology And I Hear Dragons explores identity. First Questions and Answers: Why Are There Wars? (Mairi MacKinnon and Katie Daynes) and Martin Impey’s graphic novel Blitz: One Family’s War are accessible and informative aids for discussing conflict with children, while Deborah Meaden Talks Money provides a simple and enjoyable introduction to finance.

Editorial Director of The Week Junior, Anna Bassi says: “From anarchic animals, rowdy Romans, riddles and rollercoasters, to magic, money and monsters, the outstanding books on this year’s shortlists are guaranteed to ignite young imaginations and spark family conversations. At a time when the world can feel unstable and overwhelming, it’s incredibly reassuring to see children’s authors, illustrators and publishers rising to the ever more important challenge of informing, entertaining and boosting empathy through their work. I’m delighted to have the help of so many expert and enthusiastic judges – including The Week Junior’s readers – to help decide which of these exceptional books should triumph.”

Caroline Carpenter, children’s editor and deputy features editor at The Bookseller, says: "We are delighted to support The Week Junior Book Awards again as they continue to grow their scope and reach. Initiatives to encourage children reading for pleasure are needed more than ever and these awards celebrate the whole breadth of children's literature - from brilliant fiction to engaging non-fiction, illustration and poetry - ensuring there is something for every child to enjoy on these shortlists, while also recognising the hard work and talent of the authors, illustrators and publishers involved."

To view the full shortlist, plus find out more about the awards, visit theweekjuniorbookawards.co.uk.

The Week Junior turns ten!

The Week Junior has been helping children aged 8 to 14 make sense of the world for ten years now, empowering young minds to explore, dream, and believe in their potential.

To mark this milestone, The Week Junior commissioned research into family conversations, to find out how parent-child interactions are changing. The study, which surveyed 2,000 British families with children aged between 8-16 years old, found that the great British family dinner – once the heart of household conversation – is now in sharp decline.

The research reveals that mobile phones and hectic schedules are sidelining family conversations at dinner time, while a heavy news agenda makes it even harder for parents to tackle topical discussions with their children around the table.

Screens are increasingly creeping into mealtimes, with over three-quarters (77%) of families admitting to having phones at the table. Over half of children (51%) are actively on their devices while eating, and two-thirds (66%) say they'd actually prefer watching TV or using a screen over having a conversation with a parent.

Dr Elizabeth Kilbey says: “In a world that's more connected yet increasingly disconnected, dinner time provides a powerful platform for fostering essential conversations and personal understanding. The Week Junior recognises that these moments of shared dialogue are crucial for building strong family bonds and enhancing critical thinking in our children. It's these simple, daily interactions that can make a significant impact, not just in strengthening family ties but in cultivating a generation equipped to lead empathetically and thoughtfully. Let's pave the way for a future where every voice is heard, starting right at home.”

Vanessa Harriss, Editor of The Week Junior, adds: “At The Week Junior, we know how imaginative and curious kids are. In our fast-paced daily lives, being able to spend time together as a family can be a challenge – and the digital distractions are ever more insistent. As our research shows, quality time spent together over the dinner table is vital for families. Whether it’s chatting about everyday things or discussing what’s going on in the news, these family conversations boost children’s development and their wellbeing. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to talk a little more as families. As part of our 10^th anniversary celebrations, The Week Junior is also getting even bigger. With an extra four pages every week, we’ll be including conversation starters for our young readers – because taking time to talk makes everyone feel happier.”

Whatever the topic, once kids understand something, they get a real confidence boost – and learn that their voice matters. But the good news doesn’t stop there – a whole decade of parents have told us that reading The Week Junior sparks brilliantly enjoyable conversations wherever they are – in the car, out on a walk, around the kitchen table.

Talking matters. It bonds us with our kids, teaches them how to express their opinions, and enables them to develop critical thinking about the world they’re growing up in… all vital skills they’ll need for a brighter future.

So try The Week Junior’s unique mix of news, nature, science, sport and puzzles today. You never know where the conversations it inspires could take you so subscribe today, and get your first 10 issues for just £10!

Barnes becomes the children's books capital of the UK once more when the Barnes Children's Literature Festival returns on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June with more than 100 inspiring events, workshops and performances for young book fans and their families.

Bestselling children's author, David Walliams, who will appear at the festival for the first time; Cressida Cowell, the superstar creator of the How to Train Your Dragon books and Hollywood film series and the book rapping sensation, MC Grammar, star of Sky Kids' hit show Wonder Raps, are just a few of the big names on their way to beautiful Barnes Pond.

The Week Junior Young Journalists Workshop

Festival media partners The Week Junior return with their thought-provoking workshop for young journalists which sold out in ten minutes in 2024, and a brand-new event - the Great Debate – will offer a chance for children to polish their debating skills with advice from the magazine’s journalists.

Festival favourite, Axel Scheffler illustrator of The Gruffalo, returns to the festival for his 11th appearance! Million-selling former NHS doctor, Adam Kay with Henry Paker will have the kids in stitches. CBeebies superstar Andy 'Dinosaur Adventures' Day and Steven Lenton; the funniest brother-sister duo, Green Wing comedian Steven and Anita Mangan, will appear among so many more.

Barnes is always committed to programming a few special treats that audiences are unlikely to see elsewhere and this year this includes the first children's festival appearance by internationally bestselling crime writer Janice Hallett (The Appeal etc) with her debut children's title, A Box Full of Murders and an appearance from Global TED talker Gavin Pretor-Pinney with Cloudspotting for Beginners.

There will be plenty of fun for graphic novel and comic fans too from the creator of the hilarious Grimwood series AND the Festival's 2025 poster, Nadia Shireen; the author illustrator of the smash hit Loki series, Louie Stowell; Marvel artist, RAMZEE and the BAFTA-award winning, The Brothers McLeod.

Children can also get involved in creative writing, comedy, art and craft, puppetry, live music, film, clay-mazing workshops with Aardman Animations, and there are lots of free things to do too including LEGO, chess, yoga, pop up performances and circus acts.

Amanda Brettargh, Festival director said “In eleven years we've grown from a conversation at the school gate to become the UK's largest dedicated children's book festival. As well as celebrating all our favourite authors and illustrators, we're always pushing the boundaries of traditional literature festivals to create more space for the family-friendliest fun. It's what keeps us going - and growing! Because every year we discover all these brilliant new books, or we'll see an event that has gone down a storm somewhere else, and we'll think 'oh they're just going to love that!' It's the best job in the world!”

Tickets are now on sale!

To snap up your tickets visit barneskidslitfest.org where you'll find more information about the line up, including the full programme of events.

Families looking for the ultimate sports adventure this summer have even more reason to get excited.

Festival of Sport, the UK’s premier family-friendly sports festival, has officially teamed up with The Week Junior as its exclusive media partner.

Taking place from August 1st – 4th at Packington Estate in Warwickshire, the annual event is an action-packed weekend designed to ignite children’s passion for sports. With more than 20 zones ranging from football to sword fighting, there’s something for everyone, regardless of age, ability and experience, to ensure that no-one gets left on the bench.

A weekend of family fun with sporting legends

The festival boasts an incredible line-up of world-class athletes who will inspire and coach young sports enthusiasts. They might tackle rugby pro Ben Youngs on the rugby pitch, or spar with boxing champion Rachael McKenzie. Derek Redmond will be putting kids to the test, while hockey’s ‘golden girls’ Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh will be passing on top tips.

More than just sports

Festival of Sport is more than just a weekend of sporting excellence. Ticket holders can enjoy live music and open-air cinema in the evenings plus camping and glamping for the full festival experience. It’s the perfect opportunity to spend quality family time outdoors while fostering a love for sports and active living.

By partnering with The Week Junior, an award-winning children's magazine dedicated to keeping young minds informed and engaged, Festival of Sport strengthens its mission to inspire and empower the next generation.

Co-founder and Rugby World Cup Winner Will Greenwood says “We’re delighted to join forces with such an amazing publication. We share a common passion for empowering kids to find their goals and inspiring them to go out there and grab life with both hands. It’s not about winning, it’s about having the best fun, and if you can learn along the way, even better.”

For more information on the 2025 festival and to book your tickets, click here.

The internet offers endless exciting opportunities for children to satisfy their natural curiosity, explore interests, find entertainment and discover new things. It’s a world at their fingertips — a TV, a textbook and a treasure trove.

However, not everything on the internet is appropriate for children. It’s easy for them to access unsuitable content or fall victim to fake news, misinformation and increasingly sophisticated scams. Educating ourselves and our children about the risks and benefits of

Luckily there are plenty of organisations and events offering expert help. One of them is Safer Internet Day on 11 February. This annual celebration of online safety aims to support young people to have a healthy and positive online life. This year it is raising awareness of online scams, including how to spot them and what support is available.

The Week Junior and The Week Junior Science+Nature have partnered with online safety experts Childnet and MediaSmart to share some of their advice so you can help your child to stay safe online. It includes:

• Advice from ChildNet on how to have a conversation with your child about online safely
• An article from Science+Nature on deepfakes - what they are, and how to spot them
• Guidance from Media Smart on how to keep your children safe from scammers
• Signposting and recommendations for further reading and resources

Complete the form below to get your free resource now.

We know keeping up with the online world can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our free, expert-backed resource makes it easy to protect your child online. This resource will:

• Share clear, easy-to-follow practical tips to help you navigate online safety with ease.
• Show you how to spot the red flags and teach your child critical thinking skills for safer internet use.
• Give expert guidance on how to talk to your child about online safely in an open, honest, and age-appropriate way.
• Encourage healthy online habits for the whole family.

Fundraising For A Better World

Children have the power to change the world. With their natural curiosity, care and enthusiasm, they are uniquely positioned to make a difference. Plus, there's a proven "double benefit" to children engaging in social action. Not only do their efforts create meaningful change for the causes they support, but children themselves grow in the process, developing essential lifelong skills and values such as empathy, leadership, resilience, and more.

That’s why The Week Junior has partnered with SuperKind, the world's only fundraising platform that can legally be used by young people, to launch the Fundraising for a Better World campaign.

This winter, we’re challenging children to step up and fundraise for a cause that’s close to their hearts. Whether it's protecting the environment, helping the homeless, or supporting local animal shelters, their efforts can make a world of difference. And the best part? This initiative will help them make a positive impact, and they’ll gain invaluable experience that will help them grow into compassionate leaders of tomorrow.

Here’s how your child can get involved:

• Choose a cause they’re passionate about.
• Create a fundraising campaign on SuperKind’s safe and easy-to-use platform.
• Run their fundraising activity until midnight on 16 February 2025.

Get started today!

Through SuperKind’s resources young people can:

• Learn about important global causes
• Get inspired by incredible young change-makers
• Choose a charity to support and explore fundraising ideas
• Create their own fundraising page and start making a difference

Every child who creates a fundraising page on SuperKind will receive a digital Certificate of Fundraising, earn badges on the SuperKind website by achieving certain milestones (including a limited-edition badge with The Week Junior), and be eligible for exclusive prizes including:

• The top fundraiser will be featured in The Week Junior magazine and interviewed on one of their podcast episodes.
• The kids behind the 3 most creative fundraising ideas will each win a 12-month subscription to The Week Junior.
• The top 10 fundraisers will receive a limited edition SuperKind metal badge, and have their stories showcased on our Fundraising for a Better World campaign page

The Fundraising For A Better World runs until 16th February and it only takes minutes to set up a fundraising page. Find out how to get your child involved.

The big day is almost here, and excitement levels are likely to be very high for the young people in your household. Here are three fun and simple activities kids can get stuck into to help make Christmas Day extra special.

Set the table perfectly

You will need:

• Tablecloth (optional)
• Placemats
• Cutlery
• Side plates
• Glasses
• Candlesticks and candles
• Sprigs of holly
• Handwritten place cards (optional)
• A centrepiece

Laying the table is one of the most helpful things your child can be tasked with on Christmas Day. Here are some simple steps for them to follow;

1. First you'll need to put down the tablecloth (if using).

2. Then go round and lay the placemats, making sure they are evenly spaced.

3. Now, lay the cutlery. The fork should go on the left; on the right you should have your spoon closest to the plate, and your knife outside it.

4. Your side plate goes on the right hand side too.

5. Put a glass to the right, above the knife and spoon.

6. Now, decorate each person's place with a sprig of holly or a place card with their name handwritten on it.

7. A centrepiece can be a lovely addition; some candles or a bowl overflowing with holly, mistletoe and other Christmassy plants, for example.

Stage a pantomine

Christmas is almost here, and with it comes panto season. Why not encourage the kids to stage their own pantomime for Christmas Day? It'll get their imaginations firing and provide heartfelt entertainment for the grown-ups, too.

You can give them this expert guidance, from English and drama teacher Holly King-Mand.

Who's who?

There are lots of roles in pantomime. The playwright writes the script (the words and movements the actors should perform) and the director brings the script to life by telling people how to perform. You will also need actors and maybe a “stage hand” (someone who works offstage) or “props manager” (props are objects that actors handle on stage) to help organise everyone. If you have a small group, it’s fine to double up on jobs.

Main characters

If you choose to put on a performance of a traditional tale, you'll already have what we call archetypal characters (those that fit the mould for goodie, baddie, jester, sidekick adn so on). These might be magical fairies, greedy kings, evil withces or loving princes. Pantomines use these types of characters because the audience already undertands the role they play in a story, and they are easy to exaggerate and have fun performing.

Writing style and conventions

A playwright's script will include the words each actor should say, as well as stage directions (see the next tip for more information). Pantomines have their own script conventions (things we see in most pantomines) and these might include the phrase, "It's behind you!" or "Oh no it ins't; oh yes it is". They often include a short sing-along, lots of silly jokes and silliness - but they always have a happy ending where the goodies win.

Staging

The playwright should include stage directions (performance instructions) in the script that include where actors should stand and where and when they get on and off the stage. It might include other instructions such as “laughs loudly” or “sits down on the toadstool”. Stage directions are usually written in italics or in brackets to separate them from speech. Staging your pantomime might involve costumes, gathering props and making someone responsible for managing these things “backstage” during the performance. Making props and painting a backdrop can be fun but don’t worry if you don’t have time as it’s also fine to mime the object in your hand and leave some things to the audience’s imagination.

Performance

The best part of putting on a pantomime is performing it. It’s always good to open the show with a singalong and ask your audience to clap to the music. This will get the show off to a great start. You can even encourage their involvement throughout by chucking sweets into the audience or getting them to shout “Boooo!” at the baddies.

Whatever happens, don’t worry if it all goes wrong. Make sure the audience are laughing along with you and enjoying your “comedy of errors”.

Write thank-you letters

Writing thank-you letters at Christmas time is a great way to teach your children about expressing gratitude. Here are some tips to inspire your children to write a thank-you letter this Christmas;

• As you open your presents, write down who gave you what. That way you won't thank the wrong person for the wrong gift.
• Write your letters as soon as you can after Christmas. Do it before you go back to school so you don't forget.
• Keep each one short. You don't need to write a really long letter - the person will appreciate the effort you made no matter what.
• Decorate your letters with stickers or pictures. Why not draw a picture of the present, or even include a photo of you enjoying the gift?
• Make sure you have paper and stamps ready before Christmas; that way you can post the letters straight away.

Give The Week Junior this Christmas

Looking for a Christmas present for a curious 8-14 year old? Look no further. The Week Junior makes the perfect gift; it stimulates curiosity, encourages children to read and learn and will continue to entertain them for months. Discover our Christmas gift offers and give the gift of knowledge this year.

The Week Junior is a multi-award-winning children’s magazine packed with engaging articles, eye-catching images, and big ideas that get eight to 14-year-olds reading, thinking, doing and talking. Published weekly, it features everything from current affairs to sport, science, books, cooking, and craft. It makes a wonderful Christmas present - find out more here.

Scroll down to find three step-by-step Christmas crafts – they're simple enough for kids to make with minimal adult supervision.

Make your own Christmas wrapping paper

Try out this crafting projecting with your child by making this amazing wood-block printed wrapping paper, created by children's illustrator, author and artist, Olaf Falafel.

You will need:

• A small sheet of foam
• A ballpoint pen
• An old plate or tray
• Some paint
• A roller
• Large sheet of white paper
• Felt-tip pens

1. Before you start, prepare your workstation. Protect your table with paper. Then, take the foam sheet and the pen (a ballpoint is best).

2. Draw your festive pattern onto the foam sheet. Be sure to press down quite hard so the pen makes a groove in the foam.

3. On a covered surface, mix up some paint on a plate or a tray. Roll the paint roller into the paint, then roll the colour onto the foam sheet.

4. Press your pattern onto the large sheet of white paper. Peel off the foam to reveal the design.

5. Repeat stages 3 and 4 again until the whole sheet is covered with your design.

6. Leave the paper to dry. Use felt-tip pens for extra detail. Your wrapping paper is ready!

Craft Christmas houses

What you need:

• Cardboard boxes or cartons
• A pencil
• Scissors
• Old magazines
• Glue
• A ruler
• Fairy lights or LED tea lights

1. Flatten a small box. To make the house shape, draw matching triangles on facing sides of the box for the roof. Cut out the roof shape on both sides and across the sides of the box.

2. Cut some magazine pieces to cover the box. Glue the magazine then press it smoothly around the corners and sides of the box. Trim off the magazine ends.

3. Cut thin rectangular holes for the windows. It's easiest to cut up from the bottom of the house – and downwards from the top if you want upstairs windows.

4. Stick card strips covered in magazines below or above the window holes. Glue thin strips across the windows, sticking from inside the house.

5. Measure the top of the house, cut a piece of card for the roof then glue magazines over the top. Trim or fold the magazines around the edges. Fold the roof in half then glue it to the house. Finally, add lights; use LED tea lights or mini fairy lights.

Bake festive ginger snaps

This recipe is from Sam Bilton, a member of the Guild of Food Writers. She's a food historian, writer and cook. She says “Christmas is the time of year when spicy scents fill the air, especially when a batch of gingerbread is baking.”

You will need:

• 225g flour, plus a little extra for dusting
• ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp white pepper
• 110g Demerara sugar
• 55g butter, cut into cubes
• 120g golden syrup
• 50g treacle
• Sieve
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Chopping board
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters
• Baking sheet lined with non-stick baking paper
• Pastry brush
• A small bowl of water

1. Preheat the oven to 150C, then wash your hands.

2. Sieve the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and white pepper into a bowl. Add the sugar and mix.

3. Rub the butter into the spiced flour mixture until the butter is mixed into the flour.

4. Use a wooden spoon to mix in the syrup and treacle until you have a soft dough. If necessary, use your hands to bring the dough together.

5. Lightly dust a clean surface such as a chopping board with a little flour. Onto this, roll out the dough.

6. Use the cutter to create the desired shapes from the dough then place them on the lined baking sheet. If you don’t have a cutter, use a mug to cut out circles.

7. Brush each shape with a little water and bake in the oven for 10–15 minutes.

8. When they are ready the snaps will be slightly darker around the edges but still soft.

9. Allow the snaps to cool on the tray for five minutes to harden up, then transfer to a wire rack and leave them to go completely cold.

Give The Week Junior this Christmas

Looking for a Christmas present for a curious 8-14 year old? Look no further. The Week Junior makes the perfect gift; it stimulates curiosity, encourages children to read and learn and will continue to entertain them for months. Discover our Christmas gift offers and give the gift of knowledge this year.

Get ready to ignite your child's love for reading and embark on a day of imagination, adventure and storytelling. The Week Junior Book Festival 2024 is the perfect way to inspire and entertain kids during the half-term break.

This exciting event will take place on 29 October 2024 at the Barbican Centre in London, and it’s a day designed for families who love books.

Book your tickets here today.

Our main stage will come alive with captivating performances from your child's favourite authors, transporting them to enchanting worlds and introducing them to unforgettable characters. From heartwarming tales to thrilling adventures, there will be a wide range of stories to delight every young reader and allow their imagination to soar.

We have a fantastic lineup featuring authors, Michael Rosen, Joseph Coelho, Cressida Cowell, A. F. Steadman, and many more. Plus, there will be twelve interactive workshops to choose from, as well as book signings and a marketplace.

Tickets are selling fast! Visit theweekjuniorbookawards.co.uk for more information on the festival - including the main stage lineup and workshops - and to book your tickets today.

Whether you live near each other or far apart, the bond between grandparent and child is precious.

In the latest issue of The Week Junior we’ve put together this brilliant guide for children to interview their grandparents and turn the answers into a record to share with the family. Why not try it, then turn the questions round to interview your grandchild in return?

It’s a great way to find out more about them (useful for buying presents!), build conversations and share an activity, whether in person or by video call.

Download guide now

WIN! One of THREE 1-year subscriptions

The Week Junior’s mix of news, people, events, science, books, debate and more is designed to fuel conversations, build connections and open up the world to curious young minds every single week.

Enter below for your chance to win one of THREE one-year long subscriptions. We'll include print and digital access so they can catch up with The Week Junior wherever they are.

How much would someone pay for a painting done by a pig? Why did a Japanese company send a hamster to space? What do Star Wars and King Charles III have in common? And how can poo save your life?!

Now on sale! Order your copy here: Amazon, WHSmith, Bloomsbury 

Find out the answer to all these questions and more with The Week Junior Big Book of Knowledge. This fun-packed book is stuffed with facts – everything from the unbelievable to the essential! 

From science to sport, inventions to art, amazing life on earth or what's up there in space, The Week Junior Big Book of Knowledge has everything children love about the multi-award-winning children's magazine The Week Junior – in book form. 

With brilliant photos, easy explanations and colourful design throughout, children will love astonishing their friends with unbelievable true stories and extraordinary facts.

Ideal as a Christmas or birthday gift or just as a way to inspire young minds, this large-format, full-colour hardback is a must-have for every child's bookshelf.

Now on sale! Order your copy here today: Amazon, WHSmith, Bloomsbury

The winners of The Week Junior Book Awards 2024, brought to you by The Week Junior and The Bookseller, with partners WHSmith, World Book Day and LoveReading4Kids have been revealed at an awards ceremony hosted by tv and radio presenter Fee Mack at County Hall in London. 14 books were crowned from over 450 entries, with two of the awards – Children’s Choice and Children’s Book Cover of the Year – voted for by readers of The Week Junior.

View the full list of winners, judges comments and more here.

The expert judging panel included teachers, booksellers and literacy champions along with former Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho, Newsround presenter Ricky Boleto, award-winning author-illustrator Nadia Shireen, author and Place2Be ambassador, Sophie Dahl and teacher and TV personality Bobby Seagull.

Now in its second year, the awards were created to address the need for greater mainstream discourse around children’s literature and the lifelong benefits of reading for pleasure. They celebrate the remarkable work of both emerging and established children’s authors, illustrators and publishers, and bring their work to the attention of The Week Junior’s avid young readers and their families.

Editorial director of The Week Junior, Anna Bassi says, “We’re delighted to honour these incredible books and their power to bring pleasure to children through words, pictures, ideas and imagination. The line-up boasts extraordinary stories, compelling characters, fascinating facts, incredible illustrations and useful advice. With awards for both fiction and non-fiction and subjects spanning everything from dinosaurs to the digestive system, there is something here for every young reader – even those who say they don’t like reading.”

New award categories for 2024 included Poetry, Picture Book, Animals and Nature, Wellbeing, Hobbies and Interests, and Graphic Novel. These were incorporated in response to feedback from publishers and to reflect the passions and interests of The Week Junior’s readers. 

Some of the award-winning authors will be appearing at The Week Junior Book Festival, during the school half-term on 29 October at Barbican Centre, London.

Full list of winners

CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR: BREAKTHROUGH

My Name is Sunshine Simpson

Author: G.M. Linton, illustrator: Fuuji Takashi, publisher: Usborne

CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR: GRAPHIC NOVEL

Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir

Author and illustrator: Pedro Martin, publisher: Guppy Books

CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR: YOUNGER FICTION

Pizza Pete and the Perilous Potions

Author: Carrie Sellon, illustrator: Sarah Horne, publisher: Guppy Books

CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR: OLDER FICTION

Safiyyah’s War

Author: Hiba Noor Khan, publisher: Andersen Press

Highly commended

Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer

Author: Jeffrey Boakye, publisher: Faber

CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR: HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

Rhinoceros Can’t Draw… But You Can!

Author: Luke Newell, illustrator: Luke Newell & Mr Griff, publisher: Noodle Juice

CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR: NON-FICTION

Welcome to Our Table: A Celebration of What Children Eat Everywhere.

Author: Laura Mucha & Ed Smith, illustrator: Harriet Lynas, publisher: Nosy Crow

CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR: STEM (in association with The Week Junior Science+Nature)

Where Are You Really From?

Author: Adam Rutherford and E.L.Norry, illustrator: Adam Ming, publisher: Hachette Children’s Group

Highly commended

Wonderfully Wired Brains

Author: Louise Gooding, illustrator: Ruth Burrows, publisher: DK

CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR: ANIMALS AND NATURE

The Tyrannosaur’s Feathers

Author: Jonathan Emmett & Dr Adam S. Smith, illustrator: Stieven Van der Poorten, publisher: UCLan

CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK OF THE YEAR

Amy Gets Eaten

Author: Adam Kay, illustrator: Henry Paker, publisher: Penguin Random House

Highly commended

Gigantic

Author and illustrator: Rob Biddulph, publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books

CHILDREN’S AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR

Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Ruling the World

Author: Louie Stowell, narrator: Ben Willbond, publisher: W.F. Howes

Highly commended

Animal Tales from India: Ten Stories from the Panchatantra

Author and narrator: Nikita Gill, publisher: Nosy Crow

CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR: POETRY

A Dinosaur at the Bus Stop: Poems to Have Fun With

Author: Kate Wakeling, illustrator: Eilidh Muldoon, publisher: Otter-Barry Books

CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR: WELLBEING

Friendship Survival Guide

Author: Caroline Young, illustrator: Various, publisher: Usborne

Highly commended

My Family, Your Family

Author: Laura Henry-Allain MBE, illustrator: Giovana Medeiros, publisher: Penguin Random House

CHILDREN’S CHOICE

Guinness World Records 2024

Author: Craig Glenday (Editor-in-chief), cover designer: Rod Hunt, publisher: Guinness World Records

CHILDREN’S BOOK COVER OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Publiship)

The Kingdom Over the Sea

Author: Zohra Nabi, cover designed and illustrated by: Tom Clohosy Cole, publisher: Simon & Schuster

Your FREE back-to-school wellbeing guide

Going back to school can be a worrying time for kids; they've had the long school summer holidays to switch off and unwind - and now they need to get used to the classroom again, move up a year and get to know a new teacher.  Many children will also be making the big transition from primary to secondary school. It's a lot for them to adapt to, and even the most confident children may have a wobble over the next few weeks.

That's why The Week Junior have teamed up with children's mental health charity Place2Be to create a special back-to-school wellbeing guide. It has some great techniques and tips on how to manage those fears, build resilience and embrace change. Together, we want to help children go back to school with confidence, ready to learn but also to have fun and enjoy it.

Fill in a few short details below to receive our brand new wellbeing guide by email: 

Packed with practical and emotional advice

If your child has any lurking back-to-school nerves, download our free guide today and read it together for loads of great advice and tips, split into the following sections:

• Be brave and beat your fear
• Learning from mistakes
• Build your cheerleading team
• Learn to reach for the stars
• It's good to ask for help
• River journey: moving up to secondary school

The final activity is from our back to school partner, children's mental health charity Place2Be. A creative and reflective task, it's a great way to encourage children to process the end of primary school and explore their feelings around the big transition up to secondary school ahead.

To find out more about Place2Be and what they do, please visit place2be.org.uk.

The school summer holidays are almost here; six long weeks to relax, play, explore and have fun. What better way to fuel children's imagination than getting stuck into some brilliant books? The Week Junior book awards 2024 shortlist is packed with inspiration - from STEM and poetry to graphic novels and hobbies and interests titles, there is truly something for everyone. 

Get the full shortlist now

Please complete these few short details and our shortlist will make its way to your inbox in a few moments;

Anna Bassi, editorial director of The Week Junior, says, "The 74 books on our shortlist represent an incredible range of authors, illustrators, designers, stories and subjects – testament to the endless creativity and innovation in children’s publishing. Our judges are in for some excellent reading over the next couple of months. I’m really excited to find out which of the books readers of The Week Junior elect to win our Children’s Choice trophy – this is their chance to vote and I hope they’ll use it. With reading for pleasure seemingly in decline I’d like to think our shortlists will inspire more kids to give books a go, discover something new, and hopefully spark a love of reading that lasts for life."

74 brilliant books in 14 categories

• Children's book cover of the year
• Children's audiobook of the year
• Children's picture book of the year
• Children's book of the year: STEM
• Children's book of the year: non-fiction
• Children's book of the year: older fiction
• Children's book of the year: hobbies & interests
• Children's book of the year: poetry
• Children's book of the year: graphic novel
• Children's choice
• Children's book of the year: younger fiction
• Children's book of the year: breakthrough
• Children's book of the year: wellbeing
• Children's book of the year: animals & nature

The Week Junior and Big Issue Group have come together to produce a Summer Special edition of Pocket Money - which goes on sale this week.

Created in collaboration with The Week Junior and aimed at eight- to 14-year-old readers, it is the second edition of Pocket Money that Big Issue has published. The first issue came out for the Budget last spring and showcased what the spending priorities are for youngsters, with loads of advice on budgeting and saving – you can download it for free here.

The brand new Summer Special edition is packed with brilliant ideas for how to plan adventures and have great days out cheaply and for free. 

Presenter of Newsround and Life Hacks, Shanequa Paris, reveals all about her best summer jobs, and we’ve tips from financial expert Mr MoneyJar (Timi Merriman-Johnson) on how to set goals and make money during the holidays. 

We also look at how Taylor Swift, Mr Beast, Zendaya and Lionel Messi use the money they earn to do good things – and how you can help others if you’re feeling inspired! And there are quizzes and puzzles, plus some essential tips for staying safe online whether you’re gaming or chatting with friends.

Editorial Director of The Week Junior, Anna Bassi, commented: “Knowing how to make, save and spend money sensibly are important life skills, so this brilliant pocket money magazine should be essential reading for all kids (and their adults!) this summer.”

Big Issue editor Paul McNamee added: “Helping with money management is one of the key things Big Issue does, particularly with the vendors who sell our magazine. We know how learning financial literacy can have a life-changing impact bringing confidence and clarity. This summer special issue of Big Issue's Pocket Money magazine, we hope, is part of that increased knowledge bank. It has so many top tips, it looks great and its fun."

To get your hands on a copy, find your local Big Issue vendor to buy a copy, or subscribe online, at bigissue.com. The Week Junior is on sale in major supermarkets or you can subscribe online at theweekjunior.co.uk.

Help your children understand the general election

The Week Junior has teamed up with the Democracy Classroom to bring you resources to help your children explore and understand the upcoming general election.

Children are likely to have lots of questions about the election - what it all means, who the key players are, what their parties want. They may not get a vote, but it's important for them to understand what's happening so they feel empowered to get involved when their time comes. 

Download your FREE guide today

There are two guides to choose from;

1. Life skills: election special

This guide is all about equipping children with important skills they'll see in action during the election campaign period. From learning how to debate to finding out how to identify fake news, it's packed with advice that can help them both at school - and at home.

2. All about the general election

The second tells them all about the election process, taking the complicated bits and making them clear and accessible. There's also information on what democracy is all about, as well as different types of government across the world. 

So dive in - and download them both free today.

Democracy Classroom is a collaboration between over 100 non-partisan democracy, education and youth organisations to support young people to engage in elections. We work together to provide resources, events and support to teachers, youth practitioners and young people to help young people to cast a meaningful vote. 

Find out more about their partnership with The Week Junior, and how they are engaging young people in the election here.

The Week Junior is the award-winning, fun-to-read magazine that inspires a love of reading and encourages kids to think for themselves.

Start your subscription today and get your first 6 issues free - saving £21 on the shop price.

We're thrilled to announce the shortlist for The Week Junior Book Awards 2024 brought to you in partnership with The Bookseller.

Celebrating the brilliant world of children’s books and the talented people who create them, The Week Junior Book Awards honour the authors, illustrators and publishers who inspire children to read for pleasure. The emphasis is on original ideas, outstanding illustration and smart storytelling, as well as new and diverse talent. 

View the full shortlist - and cast your votes at theweekjuniorbookawards.co.uk.

TV personalities Jamie Oliver, Susie Dent and Adam Rutherford make the shortlist

Jamie Oliver, Susie Dent, Julia Donaldson, Adam Rutherford, and Philippa Forrester are among the authors of the 74 books shortlisted in The Week Junior 2024 Book Awards announced today in collaboration with The Bookseller, and partners WHSmith, World Book Day, and LoveReading4Kids. The awards aim to inspire children to read for pleasure, as a new report shows a drop of 4.4 percent in the number of books being read by children*.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is shortlisted for his debut audiobook Billy and the Giant Adventure, which he narrates himself; Countdown and 8 out of 10 Cats presenter Susie Dent is nominated in the Wellbeing category for her book Roots of Happiness – an uplifting guide to positive words; author and playwright Julia Donaldson CBE is shortlisted for her picture book The Bowerbird; BBC Radio 4 host of Inside Science, British geneticist Adam Rutherford is nominated for his fascinating exploration of human history, Where Are You Really From? in the STEM book category; and TV presenter Philippa Forrester is shortlisted in the Animals and Nature category for her book Amazing Animal Journeys.

Sparking a love of reading

Launched in 2023, The Week Junior Book Awards were created to celebrate children's books and honour creative excellence within the industry. The shortlisted books will be shared directly with the award-winning news magazine’s eight to 14-year-old readers and their families via a 12-week promotional campaign. Retail partner WHSmith is offering the magazine’s readers a voucher for 20% off all Children’s Books (excluding education) instore and online.

Anna Bassi, editorial director of The Week Junior, says, "The 74 books on our shortlist represent an incredible range of authors, illustrators, designers, stories and subjects – testament to the endless creativity and innovation in children’s publishing. Our judges are in for some excellent reading over the next couple of months. I’m really excited to find out which of the books readers of The Week Junior elect to win our Children’s Choice trophy – this is their chance to vote and I hope they’ll use it. With reading for pleasure seemingly in decline I’d like to think our shortlists will inspire more kids to give books a go, discover something new, and hopefully spark a love of reading that lasts for life."

Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller, comments, "In its second year, The Week Junior Book Awards already feels firmly established; and these shortlists have everything we need them to have, showcasing the breadth, creativity, colourfulness, and the sheer power of story-telling and fact-weaving that we know children's writers and illustrators are always capable of. Hurrah once again to The Week Junior for continuing to support children's books."

Six new categories

The 13 book categories include six new categories this year, launched in response to feedback from publishers and reflecting the interests of The Week Junior’s readers. These are: Animals and Nature; Graphic Novel; Hobbies and Interests; Picture Book; Poetry, and Wellbeing. They join the other categories: Audiobook; Breakthrough Book; Cover of the Year; Fiction Older; Fiction Younger; Non-Fiction, and STEM (in partnership with The Week Junior Science+Nature magazine).

Among the shortlisted books in the Non-Fiction category is the Guinness World Records 2024, which celebrates its 70th anniversary next year, reflecting its enduring appeal to young readers. 

The Breakthrough award shortlist, sponsored by the charity World Book Day®, includes Pari Thomson’s “spellbinding” Greenwild: The World Behind the Door; Zohra Nabi’s “magnificent” The Kingdom Over the Sea, and G.M.Linton’s “heartwarming hug of a book” My Name is Sunshine Simpson.

Winners to be announced 30 September

The shortlisted books were selected from more than 370 entries with the help of an expert committee representing booksellers, librarians, literacy charities, children’s book reviewers and primary school teachers. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in London on 30 September.

Readers of The Week Junior will have the chance to vote for Book Cover of the Year and the Children's Choice Award – the overall winner of the shortlist in all categories. Alongside them, the prestigious judging panel includes CBBC Newsround presenter Ricky Boleto; Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho; author and Place2Be ambassador Sophie Dahl; children’s TV presenter and author Jess French; Comics Laureate Bobby Joseph, and award-winning author SF Said, who was the winner of the Older Fiction award in 2023.

*What Kids Are Reading report 2024

Not yet a subscriber to The Week Junior?

Take a trial subscription today and get your first 6 issues absolutely free. Packed with inspiring stories about our amazing world, The Week Junior will spark your child's curiosity every week - and nurture a love of reading for life.

Pop Up Projects & The Week Junior have joined forces to transform lives through literature.

Children For Change has teamed up with one of the UK’s leading current affairs magazines for young people, The Week Junior, for the Children For Change national writing competition. Ten young writers aged 8 to 12 will win the chance to have their story or poem included in this world-changing collection.

To find out more and submit entries visit: pop-up.org.uk/childrenforchange. The closing date is on Friday 12th July at 3pm.

What is Children for Change?

Children For Change is a brand new collection of stories, illustrations and facts inspiring young readers to ‘take an action’ – big or small, local or global – to protect our environments. Launching on October 7th as part of UN World Habitat Day, this amazing ebook anthology will be FREE to download for every child and in every Primary School in the UK. 

Children For Change is being published by Pop Up Projects CIC. Dylan Calder, Director of Pop Up Projects, comments “As a non-profit national literature agency we are on a mission to transform lives through literature. We hope this FREE ebook will inspire children to start thinking about how they can play a part, no matter how small, in tackling climate change.”

Over 60 of the UK’s favourite children’s writers and illustrators are contributing to Children For Change, including: Creator of Tom Gates, Liz Pichon; multi award-winning author of Boy Everywhere, AM Dassu; The Gruffalo illustrator, Axel Scheffler; bestselling authors of the Dragon Realm series, Katie & Kevin Tsang; Draw with Rob creator, Rob Biddulph; former Blue Peter presenter and author of the Cookie series, Konnie Huq; Young Bond author, Charlie Higson.

Inspiring a greener and healthier future

Children For Change’s editor, the broadcaster and passionate environmentalist, Konnie Huq says "I truly believe that children are the key to changing the future. We hope that by giving them inspiration we can help them make positive changes and decisions to build a greener and healthier future for our planet.” Our judges – Konnie Huq, Author and Broadcaster, Vanessa Harriss, Editor of The Week Junior, and Dylan Calder, Director of Pop Up Projects.

Inspire your child to get involved

The ten winners will see their story or poem published in this world-changing collection. The original stories or poems should inspire other children to think about the things they can do to help the planet. Read on to find out how to enter. 

★ If it is a story, it needs to be a fictional story – something imagined and created – so, not an essay, or an article. It needs to be original – it could be set in the real world, or it could be set in an imaginary place. It could have realistic people, make-believe characters, or even talking animals. It just has to do ONE thing: it has to help the reader understand something they can do to make the world a better, greener, healthier place.

★ If it is a poem. A poem doesn’t have to be fictional (though it can be). The poem can be more personal, a way to express feelings about the world you know and love, and what people need to do to make things better. It doesn’t need to rhyme (although it can if you want it to) – and there’s no rule about how you should structure it.

Two important considerations

★ It needs to inspire another reader to do something – it could be something they can do personally, like changing a habit or behaviour. Or something they could encourage their family, community or school to do. It could be something others could do, like leaders or governments – or something the whole world should do! 

★ It needs to be no longer than 500 words – max

Entrants can submit their writing by visiting pop-up.org.uk/childrenforchange. There you will also find guidelines, terms and conditions plus writing tips. 

The closing date is on Friday 12th July at 3pm.

Children For Change is funded by a National Lottery Project Grant from Arts Council England.

Rishi Sunak has called a surprise general election for 4 July declaring that "now is the moment for Britain to choose its future".

The upcoming weeks will see political debate intensify, as parties jostle for position, and politicians shout to get their voices heard. In households across the country, many families will discuss the ins and outs of the election, who they might vote for, and what the different outcomes could mean for the future.

It’s a lot for children to take in. And it's their future we are all shaping. 

A chance to inspire our children 

Our children are likely to have lots of questions about what’s happening - what an election means, who the key players are, what their parties want.  They may not get a vote, but it's important for them to understand what's happening so they are empowered to get involved when their time comes. 

More than this, understanding democracy and its core values is a huge opportunity. A general election is a chance to see this in action - a chance to inspire our children and show them that coming together, debating topics, and campaigning for what you believe in can really make a difference.

Making sense of it all 

Over the coming weeks, The Week Junior will explain what’s happening, taking on the complex and confusing bits and making them clear, accessible, and interesting. Jargon will be busted, tricky parts of the process will be broken down, and the key players introduced. 

We will also use it as an opportunity to involve readers and help them develop essential life skills - such as learning to debate and how to express their views, as well as giving them a chance to share the issues that are most important to them.

Try 6 free issues of The Week Junior

The Week Junior opens up the world, and makes it fascinating to children. We explain what’s happening, why it matters, and what it means for the future. It’s a brilliant way to introduce them to not only current affairs but a whole range of diverse topics - bringing what they learn in school to life.

• Get your first 6 issues free, saving £21 on the shop price
• Enjoy free delivery to your door every Friday
• Expertly crafted for curious 8-14 year olds 

Barnes Children's Literature Festival partners with The Week Junior as media sponsor

Barnes Children’s Literature Festival, the UK’s largest children’s dedicated literature festival, is thrilled to announce a unique partnership with award-winning magazine, The Week Junior, which will sponsor the Festival’s public programme which returns, for its tenth year, on 22 and 23 June 2024.

The special media sponsorship will add new elements to the festival’s programme with a bespoke and extended event called Young Journalists Workshop with The Week Junior where budding reporters can interview authors alongside The Week Junior’s editor, Vanessa Harriss and senior writer, Eve Gardiner.

The Week Junior will also interview authors, illustrators and visitors to the Festival to be used on their ever-popular podcast which is hosted by Bex Lindsay, who has chaired events at the Festival for many years. In return, Barnes will offer The Week Junior exposure to a new audience of children and to the stellar list of authors and illustrators who appear at the festival each year through exposure in their printed programme, online and at the festival site.

Amanda Brettargh, Festival Director said “We are so proud to welcome The Week Junior to our Festival family as our official media partner. We know that they, and their young readers, love books as much as we do so this is the perfect partnership, and we're really looking forward to celebrating our tenth birthday with them. We can't wait to start working with them to inspire more children, young people and families than ever before with the magic of reading and writing for pleasure.”

Vanessa Harriss, editor of The Week Junior, says, "We are thrilled to be part of such a wonderful celebration of creativity and books. We can't wait to meet lots of young readers, not to mention the authors and illustrators in the fabulous line-up. It's even better that it is the tenth anniversary. Happy birthday, Barnes!"

Fuel family conversations

Are your children interested in what’s happening around the world? Our free weekly newsletter helps parents navigate conversations with their children on the big issues shaping their world. It’s packed with useful information, inspiring ideas and expert advice - guaranteed to spark discussions. 

Sign up today to:

• Stay informed on the latest issues
• Get tips for tackling difficult topics
• Find debate ideas to spark discussion
• Discover extra resources to feed their curiosity
• Access crafts and activities to keep kids entertained
• Be the first to hear about exciting events and competitions

From family debates to fun activities and opportunities to extend learning, each quick-read guide is guaranteed to spark conversations, encourage curiosity, and offer solutions.

You can read an example of a recent newsletter here. And don't forget, if you change your mind, you can unsubscribe easily using the link at the bottom.

The Week Junior is the award-winning, fun-to-read magazine that inspires a love of reading and encourages kids to think for themselves.

Our expert editorial team packs thought-provoking facts and eye-catching images into every page. It inspires children to play a positive part in our world’s future, to succeed in their futures – and to lead happy, fulfilling lives.

Start your subscription today and get your first 6 issues delivered absolutely free - saving £21 on the shop price.

Subscribe today and get:

• Your first 6 issues absolutely free - saving £21
• Save 25% on the cover price after your free trial
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Encourage your child to fall in love with reading

Designed and written by experts, The Week Junior gets children to fall in love with reading & learning. It’s packed full of science, nature, animals to discover, role models to meet, amazing places, and ideas for things to make and do.

It's a brilliant way to:

• Spark their natural curiosity in the world around them
• Help them see different viewpoints - and form opinions of their own
• Boost their confidence as they grow their understanding
• Get them reading, talking and thinking - and passionate about sharing what they learn!

Start your 6 issue free trial now.

Looking for some fun, simple activities to do with the kids? Look no further - The Week Junior has you covered. 

Here are five fun and family-friendly activities for you to enjoy this Spring. We’d love to know how you get on – please share stories and photos of your efforts with us at hello@theweekjunior.co.uk.

Have your children read The Week Junior? If not, take out a trial subscription today and get your first 6 issues for free. As well as news, it's packed with inspiring stories, people, events and images from around the world, expertly written for 8-14 year olds.

1. Make mini recycled houses

Find a home for knick knacks by creating these colourful little houses, cleverly made from recycled cartons. You can use them as packaging for a unique gift,  to make or just as a fun place to store goodies. 

You will need:

• Juice or milk cartons
• Paper towel
• Scissors
• A ruler
• A pen
• Card
• Paints
• Paintbrushes
• Sponges
• Glue
• Big elastic bands

1. Cut a washed one litre carton into two sections and wipe the inside with paper towel. Remove the lid from the top section then push the pouring spout inside the carton so it doesn’t stick out. If it won’t push inside, carefully cut it off to make the roof shape flatter.

2. Draw matching triangle roof shapes on the facing sides of the bottom section of the carton. Cut out the triangles and across the sides. 

3. Make the rooftops from two pieces of thick card taped together. They need to be slightly bigger than the sloping top so the roof hangs over the edges. Glue along the edge of the carton then press the roof on top. Wrap elastic bands around the houses while the glue dries.

4. Paint the houses then leave to dry. Cut a door in the house made from the bottom section. Glue card windows and doors to the front and sides. Use white card to frame the windows and doors, it helps the shapes to stand out. 

2. Grow your own food

You will need:

• Spring-growing seeds like tomatoes or runner beans
• Seed trays or small pots with holes in the bottom for drainage
• Seed compost
• A clear plastic bag

Fill the pots almost to the top with seed compost. Place the seeds on the surface, cover them with some more compost and water gently. Leave the pots on a warm, sunny windowsill covered with a plastic bag until you see shoots appear. When this happens, space them out into larger pots. 

In late spring, plant outside in the ground or in compost bags and water every day. Tall climbing plants like runner beans will need strong supports made out of bamboo canes. 

3. Make rocky road  

This chocolatey, cake–like tray bake (minus the baking) is an easy recipe that you can whip up in about 20 minutes. There’s no need to heat up the oven at all, just pop your mixture in the fridge and let it cool.

You will need:

• 550g milk chocolate
• 90g butter
• 5 tbsp golden syrup
• 200g shortbread
• 100g chocolate mini eggs
• 175g fudge
• 100g mini pink and white marshmallows
• 18x28cm baking tin
• Baking parchment
• Heatproof bowl
• Saucepan

1. Grease and line an 18x28cm tin with baking parchment. Put 400g chocolate, 75g butter and five tablespoons of golden syrup into a heatproof bowl that slots on top of a pan of simmering water to melt. The bottom of the bowl should not touch the water. Ask an adult for some help.

2. Meanwhile, put the shortbread into a large plastic bag, tie a knot to secure and bash with a rolling pan, to crush. Put 50g of the mini eggs in a plastic bag and bash to crush. Cut 125g of the fudge into small pieces with scissors.

3. Take the chocolate off the heat, tip in the biscuits, crushed eggs, fudge and marshmallows. Stir until the mixture is well combined. Tip into the prepared tin and chill for a couple of hours.

4. To make the topping, melt 150g milk chocolate with 15g butter. Pour this over the chilled mixture, to cover. Scatter over 50g fudge and 50g of mini eggs, then chill until set. Cut into 16 even squares and enjoy!

4. Build a bug hotel

You need:

• A small, clear plastic bottle
• Things to put inside like sticks, leaves, tree bark and pine cones from your local area

Cut the ends off a clear, plastic bottle to make a tube. Fill the tube with as many of the sticks, leaves, bark and pine cones as you can, making sure it doesn’t fall out. 

Next, hang your bug hotel from a tree or tuck it under a bush. Wait a few days and see who visits.

5. Bake a loaf of bread

You need:

• 500g granary, strong wholewheat or white bread flour 
• 7g sachet of fast-action dried yeast 
• 1 tsp salt 
• 2 tbsp olive oil 
• 1 tbsp clear honey 
• 900g loaf tin

Mix the flour, yeast and salt with your hands in a large bowl. Stir 300ml hand-hot water with the oil and honey, then stir these into the dry ingredients to make a soft dough.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for five minutes until the dough no longer feels sticky. Sprinkle with a little more flour if you need it.

Put the dough in the tin, cover with a plastic food bag and leave to rise for one hour. Make sure the dough has filled the tin, and it no longer springs back when you press it with your finger.

Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Make a few cuts across the top of the loaf with a knife then bake for 30-35 minutes until the loaf is risen and golden. Tip it out onto a cooling rack and tap the base of the bread to check it is cooked. It should sound hollow. Leave to cool.

Try 6 free issues of The Week Junior

Spring is a season of fresh beginnings – the ideal time to inspire your child’s natural curiosity with The Week Junior magazine. It explains the news for 8-14 year-olds in a calm, unbiased and age-appropriate way, helping them to understand their world.

Give them a head start in life and watch them grow with a subscription to The Week Junior. You'll get your first 6 issues absolutely FREE - saving £21 on the shop price.

What’s the world’s worst smell? When did the dinosaurs die out? Where are all the aliens? Why can’t you tickle yourself?

The Week Junior Science+Nature is the mind-blowing magazine with the answer to all these questions — and more! Designed to bring STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects to life, each issue delivers jaw-dropping facts, amazing explainers and incredible photos.

Our fascinating features introduce eight to 14-year-olds to big ideas and inspiring role models, while puzzles, activities and experiments get them discovering, doing, thinking and talking. See their minds whirr and their knowledge grow as they turn the pages.

What’s inside The Week Junior Science+Nature?

• That’s Amazing! –all the latest fascinating discoveries, coolest inventions and surprising facts
• Fascinating features – brilliant articles written by the UK’s best scientists, explainers and authors
• Mysteries of Science – investigates the true stories behind strange phenomena and unexplained events
• Coding Club – a place to code and create, with projects made in collaboration the Raspberry Pi Foundation
• The Lab – easy-to-do experiments and activities
• Tons of great competitions and giveaways!

From the editor

Hi - I’m very proud to edit the UK’s best STEM magazine for children. Every issue of The Week Junior Science+Nature takes readers on epic voyage of discovery, from the depths of the oceans to the outer reaches of the cosmos, and from the days of the dinosaurs to our high-tech future. Every page will delight, educate and entertain, and I’m sure your child will enjoy reading it as much as we enjoy making it! –

Dan Green, Editor

More than a magazine

There are lots of other ways for you and your family to get involved.

Bonus activities

We’ve got a great selection of easy-to-do science activities on our activity hub, from butterfly feeders, to building a bubble blower and baking soda bread.

Listen along!

Easy wins for busy parents

Our weekly newsletter lands in your inbox every Friday morning, bringing you ideas for science and nature activities to do with your family at the weekend. We carefully select every activity, making sure that they are quick, fun and easy to do – and use materials that you're likely to have around the house. It's a parenting win!

Sign up to Saturday Science here.

Bring science, technology, engineering and maths topics to life today with The Week Junior Science+Nature magazine at https://sciencenature.theweekjunior.co.uk/. 

Buy now 

Since launching in November 2015 The Week Junior’s editorial team have had to report on a number of major events. Terror attacks, natural disasters, Covid19 and war have all needed explaining to our young readers. We are acutely aware of the impact such news can have on them, so we take great care to ensure we do not add to their distress. Our writers follow a simple formula and choose their words carefully. They focus on the facts, avoid speculation and always provide evidence of the many ways in which people are helping, working and talking to make things better. 

It’s natural for children to worry about what’s happening in the world. If your child is upset about something they’ve heard about, The Week Junior’s editorial director, Anna Bassi, has five tips to help you support them and answer their questions. 

1 Take them seriously

It is important to take your child’s concerns seriously, let them express their feelings and to answer their questions honestly. They need to know it’s normal to feel upset about bad news. Remind them that bad news is far more likely to make the headlines than good. It’s also worth telling them that the very fact that they are upset by what’s happened is evidence that it’s a rare event.

2 Stay calm and provide comfort

It’s easy for children to be frightened and feel out of control so be very careful that your own feelings and the words you use don’t add to their anxiety. Many people use words like ‘disaster’ ‘panic’ or ‘crisis’ without considering their impact on younger people. Most of all, make sure they feel safe in their own surroundings and give them a hug if they want to be held close.

3 Be truthful but don’t dwell on details

Be truthful but keep it brief and don’t dwell on details that they may find difficult to deal with. Answer their questions as honestly as you can but beware of speculating on potential outcomes or allowing your own emotions to colour your responses. And if you don’t know the answer to something, tell them you’ll find out what you can and let them know later.

4 Focus on the positive

It’s vitally important to remind children that there are many more good people in the world than there are bad. Children are naturally resilient but it is up to adults to ensure they continue to see the positive things happening in the world. For every bit of bad news or upsetting experience there are plenty of others that demonstrate the best of human behaviour or that simply make us smile – make sure you share these with them. 

5 Let them talk in their own time

Not all children will want to discuss something that’s upset them, and they may need a little time to digest it. Make sure they know you’re ready to answer their questions if and when they have any, let them know that it is ok to feel sad and give them a cuddle when they need it. You may be surprised how quickly a child moves on to another subject but be prepared for them to return to it in the future.

If your child displays symptoms of anxiety such as having trouble sleeping or being unduly worried about things then it may be a good idea to seek professional help. Charities such as the NSPCC and Young Minds will be able to offer expert advice and guidance. We've also written some advice specifically for our readers. You can find it here.

The Week Junior magazine, in collaboration with The Bookseller, is thrilled to unveil the expert panel of judges for The Week Junior Book Awards 2024. 

Building on the success of its inaugural year, this year's awards promise to be even more exciting, with new categories and WHSmith on board as a partner.

The judging line-up includes CBBC Newsround presenter, Ricky Boleto; Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho; author and Place2Be ambassador, Sophie Dahl; children’s TV presenter and author, Jess French; Comics Laureate Bobby Joseph and award-winning author SF Said.

Each of the judges brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm ensuring informed and critical evaluation of the submissions. 

This year’s award categories include Fiction, Non-Fiction, Audiobooks and STEM along with new awards for Graphic Novel, Poetry, Picture Book, Wellbeing, Animals and Nature, and Hobbies and Interests. There is also an award for the Children’s Breakthrough Book of the Year – which will be given to the best book for children by a new author.

Also on the panels for this year’s awards are author and illustrator Nadia Shireen, author and educator Jeffrey Boakye, award-winning illustrator Dave McKean and teacher and TV presenter Bobby Seagull.

They will be joined by children’s literature experts including The Times children's books reviewer, Lucy Bannerman; SLA Primary School Librarian of the Year, Sally Hamerton and autistic author and editor Lizzie Huxley-Jones. Booksellers, educators and charities working to get children reading are also represented, along with director of the Barnes Children’s Book Festival, Amanda J. Brettargh.

Editorial director of The Week Junior, Anna Bassi said: “I am honoured to have the support of such a brilliant and inspiring ensemble. Their combined knowledge and passion for words, pictures and reading for pleasure will guarantee this year’s awards are fuelled by our shared commitment to recognising and celebrating the very best children’s books.”

This year, The Week Junior readers will have the opportunity to be judges too with their votes determining the winner of the Children’s Book Cover of the Year, and another exciting addition to the lineup – the Children’s Choice Award. This special new accolade will honour the book that receives the highest number of children’s votes among all titles featured on the shortlists.

In an exciting retail collaboration, The Week Junior Book Awards has partnered with WHSmith to amplify the visibility of shortlisted titles and award winners. Leveraging WHSmith's extensive network of high street stores and online platform, the awards aim to provide increased opportunities for shortlisted and winning books to reach a wider audience of young readers.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: 

Entry Closing Date: 27 March 2024

Shortlist announced: 11 June 2024

The Bookseller Children’s Conference: 30 September 2024

Award Ceremony: 30 September 2024

The Week Junior Book Festival: 29 October 2024

For more information, please visit thebookawards.co.uk. 

Welcome to The Week Junior

The magazine helping children (and grown-ups) make sense of their world.

Inside every issue, children will discover amazing facts, explore world events and be inspired by ideas and stories that spark family conversations and nurture curiosity. From current affairs to arts and crafts, our award-winning magazine is a weekly treat for your child that can help build a reading habit for life.

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The Week Junior helps children grow in confidence, feeds their curiosity, and prepares them for a world of new experiences, environments and opportunities. Here are six essential life skills The Week Junior supports:

Reading for pleasure - A regular home reading routine creates confidence, builds vocabulary, and supercharges writing skills. It’s also proved that reading for pleasure helps children relax, and increases empathy and happiness.

Wellbeing - Expert advice on our weekly Wellbeing page empowers readers to take care of themselves, boosting their mental health, positivity, and resilience.

Critical thinking - Our Big Debate feature invites children to explore new ideas and consider multiple perspectives, giving them the power to form and express their own opinions.

Curiosity - Discovering fun facts and extending general knowledge encourages curiosity and nurtures a love of learning that will last a lifetime. 

Problem-solving - Tackling our puzzles flexes their mind muscles and develops powerful problem-solving skills. Our weekly quiz tests memory and comprehension.

Citizenship - Exploring world events and discovering how people help others inspires readers to become engaged and responsible citizens.

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