For Immediate Release — April 29, 2026

Christian Book Award® winners announced for 2026

The Bible Recap for Kids named Christian Book of the Year® as Bible engagement titles continue to surge

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., April 29, 2026 — Last night, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announced the 13 winners of the 2026 Christian Book Award® program, recognizing excellence in Christian publishing across 12 book and Bible categories, with The Bible Recap for Kids: A 365-Day Guide through the Bible for Young Readers by Tara-Leigh Cobble (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) named the 2026 Christian Book of the Year®.

Honoring the 67 finalists, the awards were presented April 28 at the ECPA Awards Celebration, held at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg during the ECPA Leadership Summit. The annual gathering brought together Christian publishing executives and industry leaders for an evening of recognition, including special honors for Robert Wolgemuth and Livingstone Corporation founders Bruce Barton and Dave Veerman, as well as milestone and sales achievements.

New York Times bestselling author John Mark Comer, last year’s Christian Book of the Year® recipient for Practicing the Way, announced this year’s top honor, naming The Bible Recap for Kids as the 2026 Christian Book of the Year®, the program’s highest distinction.

The Bible Recap for Kids is a kid-friendly adaptation of the bestselling The Bible Recap, helping young readers build a lasting rhythm of Bible reading. Its selection comes amid continued momentum in Bible publishing, reflecting strong national and global demand for accessible, habit-forming resources that help readers engage Scripture daily. The title also builds on a highly successful franchise: The Bible Recap earned the Platinum Milestone Sales Award in 2025, while the kids’ edition and companion devotional received a 2026 Bronze Award. Cobble also hosts a daily podcast with more than 500 million downloads.

“The Christian Book Awards represent the very best of our industry each year,” said ECPA president Jeff Crosby. “These winning titles in 12 categories exemplify excellence in content, creativity, and impact—books that are shaping lives and advancing the mission of Christian publishing around the world.”

The winners of the 2026 Christian Book Award® program are:

 

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CHRISTIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR®
The Bible Recap for Kids: A 365-Day Guide through the Bible for Young Readers
Tara-Leigh Cobble, Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group, 9780764240355

 

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AUDIO
The Girl on the Bathroom Floor: Held Together When Everything is Falling Apart
Amber Emily Smith; narrated by Amber Emily Smith and Granger Smith, produced by Sydney Mathieu, HarperAudio; book published by Thomas Nelson, B0F1W7Q268

 

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BIBLES
NIV Application Bible
Zondervan, 9780310465096

 

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BIBLE REFERENCE WORKS
Our Daily Bread Bible Atlas
John A. Beck, Our Daily Bread Publishing, 9781640703230

 

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BIBLE STUDY
God of the Ordinary: A Study in the Book of Ruth
Alistair Begg, Lifeway Christian Resources, 9798384525639

 

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BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR
Here Be Dragons: Navigating Mean Girls, Motherhood, and Other Mysteries of Life
Melanie Shankle; WaterBrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, 9780593601204

 

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CHILDREN
Hello! My Name is Emmanuel
Emmanuel Jean Russell; illustrated by Martina Stuhlberger, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496488442

 

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CHRISTIAN LIVING
You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful
Karen Swallow Prior, Brazos Press/Baker Publishing Group, 9781587436659

 

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DEVOTION & GIFT
Spurgeon and the Gospels:  The Gospels with Devotions from Charles Spurgeon
Charles Spurgeon, Thomas Nelson, 9781400345786

 

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FAITH & CULTURE
The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones
Clare Morell; Forum Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, 9780593736296

 

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MINISTRY RESOURCES
Pastoral Confessions: The Healing Path to Faithful Ministry
Jamin Goggin, Baker Books/Baker Publishing Group, 9781540905062

 

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NEW AUTHOR
He Always Hears: A Story of Loss and the Hope of Things Made New
Alyson Punzi; illustrated by Tyler Charlton, Crossway, 9781433596285

 

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YOUNG PEOPLE’S LITERATURE
The Story of Corrie ten Boom:  The Watchmaker Who Forgave Her Enemies
Jennifer T. Kelley, Crossway, 9781433583490

 

Finalists and winners are promoted through key retail and media partners, including media sponsor Christianity Today and retail partners Barnes & Noble, ChristianBook.com, Logos, Mardel, The Munce Group/MTL, NetGalley and Parable Christian Stores.

For more information, visit ChristianBookAwards.com.

 

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About the Christian Book Award® program
Established in 1978 as the Gold Medallion Award, the Christian Book Award® program recognizes excellence in Christian publishing, including content, literary quality, design and impact. It is the oldest and among the most prestigious awards in religious publishing. ChristianBookAwards.com

About ECPA
ECPA is an international nonprofit trade organization comprised of member companies involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by providing networking, information and advocacy opportunities to help members effectively produce and deliver content that inspires and transforms lives. ECPA.org.

Media contacts:
Jeff Crosby, President — jcrosby@ecpa.org | 630-989-0222
Cindy Carter, Awards & Recognition Manager — ccarter@ecpa.org | 480-966-3998 ext. 806