Welcome to the buzz-worthy universe of the Creative Book Awards 2024! Since its inception in 2021, this distinctive literary celebration has been a beacon for craft enthusiasts, honouring books that not only entertain but also propel the ever-evolving craft industry forward. We are thrilled to announce the shortlisted gems for this year’s awards, carefully curated across diverse categories by a panel of esteemed judges.

Shortlist:

Best Mixed Media Book with 
• Making a Living: How to Craft Your Business by Sophie Rochester (NB Publishing)
• Simple Weave by Kerstin Neumüller (Batsford Books)
• Seaweed by Melanie Molesworth and Julia Bird (Pavilion Books, HarperCollins)
• Slow Seasons: A Creative Guide to Reconnecting with Nature the Celtic Way by Rosie Steer (Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.)
• Festive by Francesca Stone (Ebury, Penguin Random House)

Best Sewing Book with
• Textile Portraits by Anne Kelly (Batsford Books)
• Kneelers by Elizabeth Bingham (Chatto & Windus, Vintage)
• Sewing for Children with African Wax Print Fabric by Adaku Parker (CICO Books)
• Punch-Needle Craft by Clare Youngs (CICO Books)
• Dressmaking: The Easy Guide by Helen Rhiannon (Search Press)
• Hand-Stitched Quilts by Carolyn Forster (Search Press)

Best Children’s Craft Book (PRIMARY SCHOOL) with
• Mini Artists by Joséphine Seblon (Thames & Hudson)
• Art Makes People Powerful by Bob and Roberta Smith (The Quarto Group)
• National Trust: Butterfly Skies by Lauren Fairgrieve (Nosy Crow)
• 100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Art by Adele Darlington (Bloomsbury Education)
• Art Shaped by Darrell Wakelam (Bloomsbury Education)

Best Baking & Decorating Book with
• I’ll Bake by Liberty Mendez (Pavilion Books, HarperCollins)
• Georgia’s Cakesby Georgia Green (Pavilion Books, HarperCollins)
• Baking with Fortitude by Dee Rettali (Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.)
• Jane’s Patisserie Everyday by Jane Dunn (Ebury, Penguin Random House)
• Baking for Pleasure by Ravneet Gill (Pavilion Books, HarperCollins)

Best Gardening Book with
• The No-Dig Children’s Gardening Book by Charles Dowding (Hachette Children’s Group)
• Nature’s Calendar: The British Year in 72 Seasons by Lulah Ellender, Rowan Jaines, Kiera Chapman and Rebecca Warren (Granta Publications)
• National Trust: Ruby Plants a Radish by Kate Petty (Nosy Crow)
• A Year Full of Veg: A Harvest for All Seasons by Sarah Raven (Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.)
• Rebel Gardening: A beginner’s handbook to organic urban gardening by Alessandro Vitale (Watkins Media Ltd.)
• Creating Spaces to Play Outdoors by Alistair Bryce Clegg and Oliver Wotherspoon (Bloomsbury Education)

Best Colouring Book with
• Alien Worlds by Kerby Rosanes (Michael O’Mara Books)
• Maggie Maggoo’s Amazing Alphabet by Carole Fenwick AKA Maggie Magoo Designs (Batsford Books)
• Pip and Posy: Let’s Get Colouring! By Camilla Reid and Alex Scheffler (Nosy Crow)
• Small Victories by Johanna Basford (Ebury, Penguin Random House)

Best Journaling/Lists Book with
• Fluentish: The Language Learning Planner and Journal by Jo Franco (Teach Yourself)
• My Autism Journal by Carly Jones (Jessica Kingsley Publishers)
• The Intuitive Drawing Journal: A Guided Journal for Processing Feelings and Emotions by Almudena Rocca (Watkins Media Ltd.)
• Debbie Shore’s Sewing Journal by Debbie Shore (Search Press)
• Mrs Hinch: Life in Lists by Sophie Hinchliffe (Penguin Random House)

Best Cookbook with
• Annabel Karmel’s My First Cookbook by Annabel Karmel (Hachette Children’s Group)
• The Autism-Friendly Cookbook by Lydia Wilkins (Jessica Kingsley Publishers)
Rambutan: Recipes from Sri Lanka, accompanying the acclaimed new London restaurant by Cynthia Shanmugalingam (Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.)
• Bored of Lunch: The Healthy Slow Cooker Book by Nathan Anthony (Ebury, Penguin Random House)
• My Tel Aviv Table: A journey of flavours and aromas from a sun-soaked city by Limor Chen (Watkins Media Ltd.)
• Nistisima: The secret to delicious Mediterranean vegan food by Georgina Hayden (Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.)

Best Upcycling Book (Home & Fashion) with
• Denim Upcycled by Janet Goddard (GMC Publications)
• Tap to Tidy at Pickle Cottage by Stacey Solomon (Ebury, Penguin Random House)
• The Re:Fashion Wardrobe by Portia Lawrie (Search Press)
• Seaweed by Melanie Molesworth and Julia Bird (Pavilion Books, HarperCollins)

Best New Author (2022 - 2023) (ANY CREATIVE GENRE) with
• Painting Calm by Inga Buividavice (Leaping Hare Press)
• Fluentish: The Language Learning Planner and Journal by Jo Franco (Teach Yourself)
• Why Don’t I Have Anything to Wear? By Andrea Cheong (Bonnier Books UK)
• The Re:Fashion Wardrobe by Portia Lawrie (Search Press)
• Fold it Calm by Li Kim Goh (Ebury, Penguin Random House)

Best Knitting & Crochet Book with
• Knitting Peter Rabbit by Claire Garland (David & Charles)
• Alexandra’s Garden Vegetables by Kerry Lord (Pavillion Books)
• Alexandra’s Garden Flowers by Kerry Lord (Pavillion Books)
• Cute Crocheted Food by Emma Varnam (GMC Publications)
• Crocheted Cats by Vanessa Mooncie (GMC Publications)
• A Knitter’s Year by Ida Wirak Trettevik (Search Press)

Best Children’s Craft Book (PRE-SCHOOL) with
• Mog Activity Book by Judith Kerr (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
• Bizzy Bear, Things That Go, A Sticker Storybook by Kathryn Selbert (Nosy Crow)
• The Tiger Who Came to Tea Activity by Judith Kerr (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
• My First Draw with Rob: Dinosaurs by Rob Biddulph (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
• Draw with Rob: In Space by Rob Biddulph (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
• SeaMouse Builds a Boat by David Youell (David Youell)

Meet the Judging Panel:

Our shortlisted books are currently in the capable hands of a distinguished judging panel, including luminaries such as Wayne Hemmingway, Julie Peasgood, Stuart Hillard, and Karen Hart. Their discerning eyes and vast expertise ensure that only the crème de la crème will emerge victorious.

Congratulations:

Heartiest congratulations to all the authors and publishers who made it to the shortlist! Your creativity and dedication have shone through, capturing the essence of the craft world.

What’s Next:

The anticipation builds as we eagerly await the announcement of the winners. Save the date - the victorious titles will be revealed on the website on the 19th of February. Stay tuned for a dazzling display of literary excellence!

The Creative Book Awards 2024 promises to be a celebration of innovation, inspiration, and the boundless spirit of creativity. We invite you to join us on this thrilling journey, exploring the pages that have left an indelible mark on the craft landscape. Happy reading and may the most creative books triumph!