The Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society (ALCS) and the Society of Authors (SoA) are delighted to announce the winners of the 2023 ALCS Educational Writers’ Award, the UK’s only award for educational writing that inspires creativity, encourages students to read widely and builds up their understanding of a subject beyond the requirements of exam specifications.

If The World Were 100 People helps children to better understand the world they live in by imagining the world was condensed to a small village of 100 people and explaining what this global village would look like.

Jackie McCann and Aaron Cushley were presented the 2023 Educational Writers’ Award, along with a prize of £2,000, at the ALCS Annual Awards ceremony held at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in London on 22 February.

Good educational writing not only imparts knowledge to the reader, but also inspires a curiosity to go and learn more about the world. The five books shortlisted are all fantastic examples of this and it was fascinating to hear about the wide range of topics covered. Congratulations to our winners Jackie and Aaron!

ALCS Chief Executive Barbara Hayes

The other shortlisted books for readers ages 5-11 encouraged young readers to think about the role of art in historical social movements; learn about themselves through genetics; find out about the plastic crisis and what can be done; and answered their questions about racism.

This year’s judges were award-winning author Atinuke, primary school teacher Imogen Thomas, and critic, author and children’s book consultant Jake Hope.

This book is absolutely stunning. The idea is original. The facts provoke thought and discussion in everyone aged 5 to 95 (without the book being remotely preachy). And the presentation is fun and clear. This is one of those books that seems simple – but is profound. A joy of a book!

Judge Atinuke

Shortlisting and ultimately deciding on a winner was far from an easy process but this incredible little picture book jumped out from the moment I saw it and was never far from my thoughts throughout the whole process. Jackie McCann has taken an immensely huge and very adult subject, ‘global citizenship’ and turned it into an easy to read, original and accessible picture book that can be enjoyed by a wide range of readers. What a stunning little book that I can’t wait to share with the teachers and students in my school. If the World Were 100 People is a worthy winner!

Judge Imogen Thomas