The 2026 edition of the Caminhos de Leitura Award brings new features, including the expansion of the Selection category to up to 40 books, the renaming of the main award to the António Torrado Award, and the creation of a new category dedicated to Non-Fiction. The latter aims to recognize works that stimulate the creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking of children and young people.
A panel of specialists in children's and youth literature will be responsible for analyzing the works. The distinctions include the categories António Torrado Award (1 book), Distinction (up to 10 books), Selection (up to 40 books), and Non-Fiction (up to 10 books), applicable to both physical and digital publications.
Books distinguished in the Distinction category will be proposed for the Cátedra 10 – Lusofonia Além Mar Award, promoting the circulation of works and authors within CPLP territories.
Interested publishers must submit works by October 31, 2026, for books published up to June 30, 2026, and by January 15, 2027, for works published after that date. Works should be sent to: Município de Pombal, Unidade de Cultura, Observatório de Leitura, Largo do Cardal, 3100 - 440 Pombal.
For further information, contact Daniela Martins (236 210 521) or Sónia Fernandes (926321017), or via email at observatoriodeleiturapombal@gmail.com. The participation guidelines manual is available online.
Established in 2021, the Reading Observatory is a municipal project aimed at promoting the work of authors and illustrators from Portuguese-speaking countries, stimulating new reader audiences, and the publishing market. It collaborates with the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (UNESCO Chair of Reading), DGLAB, the School Libraries Network (RBE), and the Research Centre for Child Studies at the University of Minho.
The panel of specialists analyzing the works includes Rita Pimenta, Margarida Costa, Sara Reis da Silva, Maria José Vitorino, Dora Batalim, Iêda Alcântara, Paula Cusati, Bru Junça, and Rui Marques Veloso. Overall coordination is by the Municipality of Pombal, with technical coordination by Benita Prieto.
