The winners of the 2025 Wainwright Prize were announced today, Wednesday 10th September, at FarmED, a not-for-profit centre in Oxfordshire that educates the public to build sustainable and regenerative farming and food systems.
This year, in addition to the individual category winners, two exceptional books have been chosen as the overall winners; Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton (Canongate Books) for the ‘2025 Wainwright Prize Book of the Year’, and Flower Block by Lanisha Butterfield & illustrated by Hoang Giang (Puffin Books) for the ‘2025 Wainwright Children’s Prize Book of the Year’. Both winners are debut authors who have used their personal lives as inspiration to highlight unlikely connections with nature.
Awarded annually, The Wainwright Prize is the world’s leading literary award for nature and conservation writing. The award’s namesake, Alfred Wainwright, was a British author and fellwalker, whose legacy continues to inspire millions to celebrate nature and our environment, nurture respect for our planet, and to inform readers of the threats that the earth currently faces.
The 2025 Wainwright Prize Book of the Year
Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton (Canongate Books)
The 2025 Wainwright Prize Children’s Book of the Year
Flower Block by Lanisha Butterfield & illustrated by Hoang Giang (Puffin Books)
The Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing
Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton (Canongate Books)
The Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing
The Lie of the Land by Guy Shrubsole (William Collins)
The Wainwright Prize for Illustrative Books
Feed the Planet by George Steinmetz with Joel K. Bourne Jr. & Michael Pollan (Abrams)
The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Fiction
Wildlands by Brogen Murphy (Puffin Books)
The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Non-Fiction
University of Cambridge: Think Big: Secrets of Bees by Ben Hoare & illustrated by Nina Chakrabarti (Nosy Crow)
The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Picture Books
Flower Block by Lanisha Butterfield & illustrated by Hoang Giang (Puffin Books)
The two overall winning books received a prize of £2,500, with the picture book award jointly shared by its author and illustrator. Category winners were each awarded £500 per book.
The judging chairs for each category this year included author and bookshop owner, Luke Sherlock (Nature Writing); biologist and Natural History Museum podcast host Dr Khalil Thirlaway (Conservation); author and ecologist Lee Schofield (Illustrative); evolutionary biologist and broadcaster Ella Al-Shamahi (Children’s non-fiction); children’s writer Uju Asika (Children’s fiction), and Blue Peter Presenter Mwaka “Mwaksy” Mudenda (Children’s picture books).
The overall winners were chosen by an executive panel, including the Prize Director and subject specialists, and drawing on recommendations of the category judging panels. The 2025 Wainwright Prize for Book of the Year and for Nature Writing has been won by Chloe Dalton who lives between London and the English countryside. Her book Raising Hare has been described in the media as a “life-affirming treat” and charts Dalton’s transformative journey from high-flying London professional to raising a leveret in the English countryside during the Covid lockdown.
Judging chair for the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing, Luke Sherlock, chose Dalton’s ‘soulful’ debut Raising Hare as the Nature Writing category winner. He says “A whole new audience will be inspired by the intimate storytelling of Chloe Dalton. Raising Hare is a warm and welcoming book that invites readers to discover the joy and magic of the natural world. As gripping and poignant as a classic novel, there is little doubt this will be read for years and decades to come.”
The 2025 Wainwright Prize for Children’s Book of the Year and for Picture Books has been won by author Lanisha Butterfield, based in Oxford, and Hoang Giang who lives in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Their book, Flower Block, is a joyous story which celebrates the power nature holds to bring communities together, all told through the eyes of a curious young boy who lives in a city tower block.
Judging chair for The Children’s Wainright Prize for Picture Books, Mwaka Mudenda, said Flower Block is “a beautifully told story brought to life by stunning artwork that kept me engaged from start to finish. I loved the rich diversity of characters throughout the book – a reminder of the beauty in our differences and the strength of community. Jeremiah’s wish at the beginning also speaks to the power of faith and hope, showing that with these two, much can happen, often more than we anticipate. And as nature brings everyone together, the story gently shows that caring for the planet is something we can all be part of, no matter who we are or where we come from.”
As well as celebrating exceptional writing, the Prize spotlights the latest thinking on environmental issues, often shaping trends and inspiring action, with this year’s category winners sparking important conversations:
Alongside the winners, highly commended in each category were: Intertidal by Yuvan Aves and Of Thorn and Briar by Paul Lamb (Nature Writing); A Training School for Elephants by Sophy Roberts (Conservation Writing); Insectopolis by Peter Kuper (Illustrative Books); Wildful by Kengo Kurimoto (Children’s Fiction); National Trust: Look What I Found by the River by Moira Butterfield, Illustrated by Jesús Verona (Children’s Non-fiction); Leave the Trees, Please by Benjamin Zephaniah & illustrated by Melissa Castrillon (Children’s Picture Books); and Bothered by Bugs by Emily Gravett (Children’s Picture Books.)
Of the announcement, Alastair Giles, The Wainwright Prize Director, says: “Warmest
congratulations to all our longlisted, shortlisted, and winning authors and illustrators. This year’s entries demonstrate just how vital and vibrant nature writing has become—not only as a form of creative expression, but as a force for change. As environmental and social challenges grow ever more urgent, it’s inspiring to see writers of all ages and backgrounds using their voices to deepen our connection with the natural world. The Wainwright Prize continues to champion those who remind us that storytelling can be a powerful step towards awareness, action, and ultimately, hope.”