Less than a month ago, the longlists for the James Cropper Wainwright Prize 2023 were announced. In the longlists we saw that for the first time in the prize's history women dominated all three of the longlists - the Prize for Nature Writing, the Prize for Writing on Conservation and the Prize for Children's Writing. 

Today, the 10th August, the shortlists for the 10th Anniversary of the James Cropper Wainwright Prize has been announced and dominated by the topic of the climate crisis. Authors in all three shortlists call for urgent action, radical solutions and celebrate the healing power of the natural world. 

The prizes, named after nature writer Alfred Wainwright are awarded to those books that the judges feel best reflect Wainwright's core values and celebrates nature and our natural environment, nurturing respect for our planet, or warning of the dangers to it across the globe. In honour of the 10th Anniversary of the prize, the prize pot has been increased, with winning authors receiving a share of £10,000.

This year's shortlists see works from independent publishers celebrated and established nature writers being joined by acclaimed new voices. 

The 2023 James Cropper Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing judging panel is chaired this year by TV presenter Ray Mears. The chair for the prize for Writing on Conservation is CEO of The Wildlife Trusts, Craig Bennett. National Trust's Communication and Campaign Director, Mark Funnell chairs the Prize for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation judges.

Speaking about the prize Mark Funnell says: “The sheer quality and diversity of titles shortlisted for this year's James Cropper Wainwright Prize for Children’s Writing underline just how vibrant the writing and illustration are in this genre right now. There is  something for everyone, from gripping novels, to deeply affecting stories, and informative non-fiction, all of  which are inspiring and bring readers closer to the beauty and fragility of nature in today's world." 

In the 2023 shortlist for the James Cropper Wainwright Prize for Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation the natural world is celebrated, ornithology themes feature in both fiction and non-fiction, and environmental issues and the positive changes humans can make are explored.

The winners of all three categories are to be announced live on the 14th September at the James Cropper Wainwright Prize 10th Anniversary Celebration which will be held in partnership with the Kendal Mountain Festival. For the first time ever the prize is open to the public to watch the winners be announced live. Tickets can be found at: tickets.kendalmountainfestival.com

The shortlisted titles are:

Protecting the Planet: The Season of Giraffes by Nicola Davies; Illustrated by Emily Sutton

Blobfish by Olaf Falafel

Spark by M. G. Leonard

A Wild Child's Book of Birds by Dara McAnulty

Leila and the Blue Fox by Kiran Millwood Hargrave; illustrated by Tom de Freston

Grandpa and the Kingfisher by Anna Wilson; illustrated by Sarah Massini

Read about the shortlists for the adult categories of Nature Writing, Conservation Writing over on LoveReading by clicking here.

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