The judges for The Alligator’s Mouth Award 2026 have been revealed, pulling together a wonderful team of children’s book experts. Alex Latimer who won the 2025 award with Gordon the Meanest Goose on Earth (Oxford Children’s / Oxford University Press), returns this year as judge, alongside children’s author Tọlá Okogwu.

Joining them on the judging panel will be: Children’s Author Rashmi Sirdeshpande, Teacher and bookstagrammer Alex Puddick, Author & Illustrator Thiago de Moraes and co-owners of The Alligator’s Mouth children’s bookshop, Margaret Wallace-Jones and Tony West.

Alex Latimer commented: "Highly illustrated early fiction is a fundamental bridge in reading development and I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of this very important award that recognises excellence in a super exciting area of publishing.”

Tọlá Okogwu commented: "Highly illustrated fiction opened up reading for me as a child, and as an author I understand how vital this bridge between picture books and longer fiction is for nurturing confident, enthusiastic readers. I'm excited to work with fellow judges to discover books that will spark imagination and help children fall in love with reading."

​

The children’s book prize, launched by The Alligator’s Mouth and The Bright Agency in 2018, celebrates the best books for 6-8-year-olds, and champions authors and illustrators. Book wholesalers, Gardners, who offer independent bookshops a discount on the longlisted and shortlisted titles, will be continuing their support of the award as an official partner. Coram Beanstalk, the UK’s first and longest serving children’s charity, also return as partner to host the Longlist competition in Spring 2026, allowing UK Schools the chance to win the full Alligator’s Mouth Award 2026 longlist.

​​

Margaret Wallace-Jones and Tony West of The Alligator’s Mouth commented: "What a brilliant panel of judges - bursting with expertise and full of enthusiasm for children’s books. We’ve enjoyed some fantastic titles in the shop this year, and we can’t wait to see what publishers submit. Hurrah for another joyful year of The Alligator’s Mouth Award!"