Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob, written and illustrated by Huw Aaron, won the overall 2026 Waterstones Children's Book Prize, as well as the illustrated books category. The Bookseller reported that Aaron was nominated not only for his winning title, but also for Unfairies in the younger readers category, marking the first time in the award's history that an author has been shortlisted for two different titles at the same time.
The other category winners were Evie and Maryam's Family Tree by Janeen Hayat (younger readers) and A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson (older readers). The awards are voted for by booksellers, with the overall winner receiving £5,000 (about $6,595).
Bea Carvalho, Waterstones head of books, commented: "Huw is a storyteller and illustrator of staggering talent, a new voice to be seriously excited about: we are extremely proud to name him the overall winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2026. Booksellers everywhere hailed Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob an instant bedtime story classic, falling in love with Huw's dreamy, painterly style and sweet rhyming text, and relishing the joy that it brings to little ones at bookshop story times.
"This is a gorgeously cozy tale which puts an adorable spin on all things spooky with bags of charm and a hilarious and monstrously cute supporting cast. Blob is a character for the picture book hall-of-fame: we can't wait to share his delightful story with children everywhere as the winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2026 alongside our brilliant category winners, Evie and Maryam's Family Tree and A Language of Dragons."