Books That Belong on Every Child’s Shelf
The Collective showcases books that entertain, educate and inspire. From picture books and early readers to middle-grade fiction and non-fiction, every title celebrates the richness and diversity of Jamaican storytelling.
Whether read at home, in the classroom or at the library, these books help children discover the joy of reading through stories that feel familiar, meaningful and memorable.
For Authors & Publishers
Have a Book We’d Love to Read?
The Jamaica Children’s Book Collective welcomes submissions from Jamaican authors and publishers.
Books selected for the Collective become part of Jamaica’s national curated collection and may be featured in libraries, reading programmes, and promotional activities that connect children with outstanding local literature.
View our submission guidelines to learn more about eligibility, review criteria, and submission deadlines.
Submission Guidelines
Who Can Submit?
Eligible Book Categories
-
Picture Books
-
Chapter Books
-
Folklore, Myths & Legends
-
Modern Fantasy
-
Realistic Fiction
-
Historical Fiction
-
Science Fiction
-
Poetry
Target Age Groups
Submission Requirements
Each submission must include:
Two copies of the book
Two completed JCBC Submission Forms
Books should be delivered to:
Jamaica Library Service Headquarters
2 Tom Redcam Drive
Kingston 5
Jamaica
All submitted books become the property of the JCBC and will be managed by the Jamaica Library Service during the review process.
Eligibility Overview
Submissions are open to:
Jamaican authors living locally or in the diaspora.
Permanent residents with culturally relevant children’s books.
Jamaican publishers with publishing rights to submitted works.
AI-generated publications are not eligible for submission.
Publication Requirements
Books submitted must:
Be printed and bound
Include an ISBN
Have been published within the last 20 years
Be available in softcover or hardcover format
Exclusively digital publications and audiobooks are not eligible for this inaugural collection.
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be reviewed based on:
Storytelling & Narrative Development
Language & Writing Style
Cultural Significance
Educational Value
Illustrations & Design
Poetic Content (where applicable)
Call for Submissions
Authors and publishers are invited to submit original Jamaican children’s books for consideration in the inaugural national children’s book collection of the Jamaica Children’s Book Collective (JCBC).
Eligible submissions include fiction, poetry, folklore, picture books, chapter books, and culturally relevant children’s literature for readers ages 0–12.
Building Jamaica’s Reading Future
Why It Matters
Strong reading habits begin with books that children want to read.
By celebrating Jamaican stories and making them easier to discover, the Collective helps nurture confident readers while supporting the people who create the books they love.
Every title added to the Collection strengthens Jamaica’s literary heritage and helps ensure that future generations grow up surrounded by stories that reflect who they are.
