Royal Society Young People's Book Prize

The Young People's Book Prize aims to promote literacy in young people and to inspire them to read about science. It also supports the writing of excellent, accessible STEM books for under-14s. We are delighted to announce this year’s shortlist, from inspiring inventors in past and present history and the incredible world of plants, to the wonders of the night sky, discover the full list below.

The Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize is awarded for the previous year, for example, in 2023 the 2022 Award will be voted for, and announced.

WINNER 2025

The Wild Life of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals

Barfield, Mike ISBN: 9781780559322
Paperback / softback

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Take a colourful tour through the prehistoric animal kingdom with this hilarious collection of non-fiction comics from award-winning author Mike Barfield and illustrator Paula Bossio. From the earliest life forms living under the ocean, to the most fearsome dinosaurs, all the way through to early mammals like the woolly mammoth, this book tells the story of what life was really like on early Earth. Discover what these animals looked like, where they lived and how they survived (or didn’t) in the most extreme conditions. Split into chapters covering the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras, the book covers animals from all over the world, with each one telling its own life story. Also featured are ‘Dead Cool’ pages showing some of the stranger animals of each period, and ‘Living Legends’ pages looking at the true survivors who are still around today. This is a funny, accessible guide to the astonishing animals who once thrived in a world that looked very different to the world of today.

- Browns Books Synopsis

An expert adult judging panel meet in April each year to choose a shortlist of their favourite science books written in the previous year. Once the six best books have been selected we hand over the task of picking a winner to those who know best – groups of young people aged up to 14 across the UK.