Children's Voice and Choice
Celebrating Indian Picture Books
The Jarul Book Award 2026-2027
The Jarul Book Award Shortlist for 2026-2027
Lights Out
Written by Vibha Batra
Illustrated by Sahitya Rani
Published by Karadi Tales
Run, Ravi, Run!
Written by Kiran Vazir Nair
Illustrated by Shubhshree Mathur
Published by Karadi Tales
The Girl Who Wouldn't Stay Within the Lines
Written by Vinitha
Illustrated by Anushka Bansal
Published by Daffodil Lane Books
The Jarul Book Award is a Student Voice and Choice award, where we ask KG-Grade 6 children to read, or listen to, the three shortlisted books and then vote on their favourite.
Teachers & Librarians, please register here for your school/students to vote on the shortlist for 2026/2027
Submitting books for The Jarul Book Award
Please note that submissions have closed for 2026/2027 Jarul Book Award. Announcements will be made here about submissions for the next award in February 2027.
The Jarul Awards Committee will not be able to respond to any queries about submissions, suggestions or self-published books at this time.
The Ten Long Listed Books for
The Jarul Book Awards 2026-2027
A House for Dubki
Written by Priya Narayanan
Illustrated by Shubham Lakhera
Published by Tulika Books
Kempi the Cow
Written by Anupama K. Benachinamardi
Illustrated by Poorti Bapat
Published by Awwa Books
Leela Lights the Way
Written by Shyamala Shanmugasundaram
Illustrated by Bhargav P. Kulkarni
Published by Eklavya
Lights Out
Written by Vibha Batra
Illustrated by Sahitya Rani
Published by Karadi Tales
Run, Ravi, Run!
Written by Kiran Vazir Nair
Illustrated by Shubhshree Mathur
Published by Karadi Tales
Saaz's Search
Written by Mamta Nainy
Illustrated by Debasish Sarma
Published by Tota Books
The Girl Who Wouldn't Stay Within the Lines
Written by Vinitha
Illustrated by Anushka Bansal
Published by Daffodil Lane Books
This Is How I See It
Written by Mamta Nainy
Illustrated by Mehnaaz Husain
Published by Perky Parrot
What's the Point of Kiki
Nandita DaCunha
Illustrated by Rishita Loitongbam
Published by Perky Parrot
Will Goondi Come Home?
Written by Adithi Rao
Illustrated by Fida Hamid
Published by Tulika Books
Thank you to the Adult Jury for selecting the longlist for 2026-2027.
The following schools were represented in
The Adult Jury 2026-2027:
The American School of Bombay
Bombay International School
Don Bosco International School
The Somaiya School
LAIS
Fazlani L'Academie Globale
Hill Spring International School
Shindewadi MPS