News and Features
The Worried Book Wins at the 2026 Children's Literature Festivals Book Awards
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The Worried Book didn't need to be worried—it has just been named Best Picture Book by an Independent Publisher at the 2026 Children's Literature Festivals Book Awards.
What makes this award especially meaningful is the mission behind it. The Children's Literature Festivals are passionate about giving children and families from less privileged backgrounds and areas of deprivation free access to literature festivals and books, helping ensure that every child has the chance to discover the magic of reading. It is an award that celebrates not only outstanding books but also the power of stories to make a real difference.
The Worried Book is the second title in Howard Pearlstein and James Munro's much-loved Emotion Series, which gently helps children understand and talk about the feelings they experience every day. With warmth, humour and beautifully expressive illustrations, the series opens the door to conversations that are not always easy to have.
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The Worried Book
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The collection began with the hugely successful The Shy Book, before The Worried Book explored another common childhood emotion. Earlier this year, the series expanded with the publication of The Sad Book, and readers will not have long to wait for the next instalment—The Angry Book arrives this August.
Since its publication, The Shy Book has earned widespread recognition, including:
- Nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2025
- Shortlisted for The Week Junior Book Awards 2025
- Longlisted for the Children's Literature Festivals Book Awards
Its success has continued beyond the UK, with translations into several languages, introducing its reassuring message about finding confidence to children around the world.
- Nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2025
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The Shy Book
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This latest award is another significant milestone for the Emotion Series and a wonderful endorsement of books that continue to help children recognise, understand and express their emotions through storytelling.
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The Sad Book
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Congratulations to Howard Pearlstein and James Munro on this well-deserved achievement. We can't wait to see the Emotion Series continue to grow—and to welcome The Angry Book this August.
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The Angry Book
