Children’s Books Ireland: Junior Juries’ Programme

Children’s Books Ireland 2026 Junior Juries Programme

Children’s Books Ireland are delighted to announce the 2026 Junior Juries’ scheme – part of the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards – is now open for registration! Junior Juries is a unique programme for schools, libraries and book clubs, designed to encourage reading for pleasure and appreciation for a wide variety of books for ages 0-18.

The KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards Junior Juries’ Programme is a unique activity for schools, libraries and book clubs, designed to encourage children and young people to read widely and to engage with reading in an innovative and exciting way. Young readers ‘shadow’ the adult judges of the book awards panel in reading, discussing and assessing the shortlisted books each year. Participating groups make their own selection of suitable titles from the books shortlisted for the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards in February using a specially devised activity pack to guide them in their reading.

At the end of this process each group is asked to collectively vote for their favourite book. Children’s Books Ireland then invites some of our Junior Juries to attend the official winners’ ceremony in May and to announce the Junior Juries’ Award. The KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards Junior Juries’ Programme is ideal for class groups, book clubs or reading groups and even groups of friends.

Registration is completely free! Register online here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BRZ2S8H

The programme commences on Wednesday 4th February 2026 with the announcement of the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards Shortlist. Some lucky Junior Juries will receive free copies of the shortlisted titles or even an event with a shortlisted author or illustrator!

Further information about the awards and the Junior Juries scheme can be found here: childrensbooksireland.ie