Entertainment

Six female authors and illustrators have been honored with the 2026 Inclusive Books for Children (IBC) awards, celebrating UK-published titles that champion diversity and inclusivity for young readers. The awards, which recognize excellence in storytelling across three age categories – baby & toddler, picture books, and children’s fiction – come with a shared £30,000 prize fund and the opportunity to showcase their operate at the Hay Festival in May.

This year’s winners represent a significant milestone, marking the second time since the awards’ inception in 2023 that all recipients are women. The IBC Awards are particularly timely, coinciding with the UK government’s designation of 2026 as the National Year of Reading, an initiative aimed at fostering a love of reading and giving young voices a platform.

In the children’s fiction category, Chanté Timothy’s graphic novel, Supa Nova, took the top prize. The story centers on a young Black girl with a passion for science. Sophia Payne and Ruchi Mhasane were awarded for their picture book, The Beautiful Layers of Me, which explores a young girl’s journey to confidently embrace her cultural heritage by wearing a salwar kameez for the first time. Rounding out the winners, Alex Strick, Annie Kubler, and Sarah Dellow received recognition in the baby & toddler category for Let’s Play, a touch-and-feel book incorporating words in sign language and braille.

“These books are pushing boundaries and opening pathways into worlds that need to be represented more,” said judge, illustrator, and author Mei Matsuoka. “I was delighted to see how inclusivity was incorporated into sweet, funny and engaging stories without overpowering them.” The judging panel, comprised of educators, authors, and illustrators, praised the winning titles for their “compelling storytelling, strong visual composition and authentic representation,” according to the IBC.

Inaugural Children’s Choice Awards Reflect Young Readers’ Voices

Complementing the main IBC Awards, the inaugural Children’s Choice Awards saw primary school pupils across the UK vote for their favorite titles. Won’t Go! by Sumana Seeboruth and Fotini Tikkou, Cloud Boy by Greg Stobbs, and Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy were selected as the winners by young readers.

Addressing Representation Gaps in Children’s Literature

The announcement of the IBC Awards arrives at a critical moment for children’s publishing. Recent research from the Inclusive Books for Children organization revealed a concerning decline in representation, particularly for Black characters. A report found that the number of children’s books featuring a Black main character dropped by more than a fifth – 21.5% – between 2023 and 2024. Of the 2,721 books surveyed, only 51 (1.9%) featured a Black main character. The IBC described this as a “catastrophic decline in Black representation” and highlighted “stark inequalities” within the UK publishing industry.

This trend occurs against a backdrop of declining reading enjoyment among young people. The National Literacy Trust found that just one in three children and young people aged eight to 18 say they enjoy reading “particularly much” or “quite a lot,” marking the lowest recorded level. The National Year of Reading campaign aims to address this by encouraging children to engage with books that align with their interests and passions.

The IBC Awards, and the growing emphasis on inclusive storytelling, are seen as vital steps toward creating a more representative and engaging literary landscape for all children. The winning authors and illustrators will present their work at the Hay Festival in May, further amplifying their message of inclusivity and the power of diverse narratives.

As the National Year of Reading unfolds, the focus will remain on fostering a love of reading and ensuring that all children see themselves reflected in the stories they encounter. The IBC Awards serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of diverse representation in children’s literature and the positive impact it can have on young readers.

What are your thoughts on the importance of inclusive children’s literature? Share your comments below and facilitate us continue the conversation.

Samsung enthusiasts in Australia, mark your calendars. Pre-orders are now open for the highly anticipated Galaxy S26 series and the Galaxy Buds 4, with both set to officially hit shelves on March 11, 2026. The launch, unveiled during Samsung Unpacked, promises a range of upgrades and innovations across the board, from enhanced camera capabilities to a groundbreaking new privacy feature.

The Galaxy S26 lineup – encompassing the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra – is already generating buzz, particularly for the Ultra model’s innovative “Privacy Screen” display. This feature, a first for mobile devices, utilizes a narrowed pixel arrangement to obscure the screen’s content, offering users a new level of visual privacy. Beyond the privacy enhancements, Samsung is doubling down on artificial intelligence, integrating Google’s Gemini LLM, Bixby, and a new AI agent, Perplexity, into the Galaxy AI ecosystem.

Pre-ordering the new devices through Samsung Australia unlocks significant savings, with potential discounts of up to $550. Customers can also benefit from bonus double storage (a $300 value) and eligible eVouchers. The Galaxy S26 series starts at A$1,549, with the S26 Plus priced at A$1,849 and the S26 Ultra at A$2,199. The Galaxy Buds 4 are available for A$299 in Black and White, while the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro will retail for A$399, with an exclusive Pink/Gold color option available only through Samsung Australia.

Galaxy S26: A Deep Dive into the Specs

The Galaxy S26 series boasts improvements across the board, building on Samsung’s established strengths. Expect enhanced camera quality, featuring a 200MP wide lens and a 50MP telephoto lens, alongside lightning-speedy charging capabilities. The S26 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip, while the S26+ and S26 utilize the Exynos 2600 chipset. The S26 Ultra features a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (3120 x 1440 pixels) with an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz. The S26+ has a 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel (3120 x 1440 pixels) with the same adaptive refresh rate, and the standard S26 features a 6.3-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel (2340 x 1080 pixels) with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

The new devices also showcase improvements in processing power. The S26 Ultra boasts a 39% increase in NPU performance and a 24% boost in GPU performance, according to Samsung. The S26 Ultra comes with a redesigned vapour chamber, claiming to deliver up to 21% better heat dissipation, and measures 7.9mm in thickness.

Galaxy Buds 4: Enhanced Audio and Seamless Integration

Alongside the new smartphones, Samsung is releasing the redesigned Galaxy Buds 4. These earbuds, available in Black and White, feature 96kHz audio and improved integration with Galaxy OS, offering more seamless control over EQ and Adaptive Noise Cancellation settings. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, available in Black, White, and an exclusive Pink/Gold (Samsung AU only), also joins the lineup.

Samsung is also expanding the functionality of its AI assistant, introducing “Now Nudge AI,” which offers proactive suggestions. This feature can recommend relevant images or pictures, or even suggest adding calendar blocks when you discuss plans in chat applications.

The launch of the Galaxy S26 series and Galaxy Buds 4 marks a significant moment for Samsung Australia, offering consumers a compelling combination of cutting-edge technology, enhanced privacy features, and seamless AI integration. As the March 11th release date approaches, anticipation is building for what promises to be a landmark year for the tech giant.

Looking ahead, the integration of multiple AI agents – Gemini, Bixby, and Perplexity – will be a key area to watch. The success of this multi-modal approach will likely shape the future of Samsung’s AI strategy and influence the broader smartphone landscape.

What are your thoughts on the new Galaxy S26 features? Share your excitement in the comments below!