The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association recently announced the winners of the 2026 Christian Book Award program, recognizing excellence in Christian publishing across 12 book and Bible categories. “The Bible Recap for Kids: A 365-Day Guide through the Bible for Young Readers” by Tara-Leigh Cobble was named the 2026 Christian Book of the Year.
The awards were presented at the ECPA Awards Celebration held 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.
“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 Christian Book Awards represent the very best of our industry each year,” ECPA president Jeff Crosby said. “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:
- Christian Book of the Year: “The Bible Recap for Kids: A 365-Day Guide through the Bible for Young Readers” by Tara-Leigh Cobble
- Audio: “The Girl on the Bathroom Floor: Held Together When Everything is Falling Apart” by Amber Emily Smith, narrated by Amber Emily Smith and Granger Smith
- Bibles: “NIV Application Bible”
- Bible Reference Works: “Our Daily Bread Bible Atlas” by John A. Beck
- Bible Study: “God of the Ordinary: A Study in the Book of Ruth: by Alistair Begg.
- Biography and Memoir: “Here Be Dragons: Navigating Mean Girls, Motherhood and Other Mysteries of Life” by Melanie Shankle
- Children: “Hello! My Name is Emmanuel” by Emmanuel Jean Russell
- Christian Living: “You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good and Beautiful” by Karen Swallow Prior
- Devotion and Gift: “Spurgeon and the Gospels: The Gospels with Devotions from Charles Spurgeon” by Charles Spurgeon
- Faith and Culture: “The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones” by Clare Morell
- Ministry Resources: “Pastoral Confessions: The Healing Path to Faithful Ministry” by
Jamin Goggin - New Author: “He Always Hears: A Story of Loss and the Hope of Things Made New” by
Alyson Punzi - Young People’s Literature: “The Story of Corrie ten Boom: The Watchmaker Who Forgave Her Enemies” by Jennifer T. Kelley
–Alan Goforth
