IBC Awards 2025 shortlist: Baby & Toddler Books (1-3)

Read our expert reviews of the outstanding inclusive baby books that made it onto the IBC Awards 2025 shortlist!

These three wonderfully diverse baby and toddler books for ages 1 to 3 represent the best inclusive children’s books for early years published over the last year, from UK-based authors and illustrators.

1+years

Zeki Eats Out

Author: Anna McQuinnIllustrator: Ruth Hearson

Join Zeki, Daddy and Mr Seahorse as they meet Nana-G for some yummy restaurant food and a lovely day out!

Black representation
Diverse cast
Single parent
Challenges gender stereotypes

Bhorta Bhorta Baby!

Author: Jumana RahmanIllustrator: Maryam Huq

A bright, engaging, partially rhyming story in which Baby, with Mum's help, chops, fries, mashes and mixes ingredients, making the classic Bangladeshi potato dish, aloo bhorta.