Cole has won many awards for her books:
Kate Greenaway Medal
- Princess Smartypants (1986)
- Prince Cinders (1987)
Kurt Mascher Award
The British Book Trust
Children's Picture Book of The Year
- Nungu and the Hippoptamus (1980)
Children's Books of the Year
- Nungu and the Hippoptamus (1980)
New York Public Library Children's Books
- The Wind in the Willows Pop-Up Book (1983)
British Library Association (BLA)
- Princess Smartypants (1986)
Child Study Association of America
- Nungu and the Hippoptamus (1980)
BLA Annabell Fargeon Award
- Princess Smartypants (1986)
- Prince Cinders (1987)