Here's why:
* It was initially a relatively unknown book. Though it was well-received by critics, it didn't become a bestseller immediately.
* The book was published in the UK first. The real explosion of popularity came with the US release and the subsequent film adaptation.
* Awards often reflect mainstream success. The awards it later received were given after the series became a global phenomenon.
However, *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* did win the following awards:
* 1997: The Nestlé Smarties Book Prize (UK) for children's fiction.
* 1998: The British Book Awards' "Children's Book of the Year" award.
These awards were significant in recognizing the book's quality, but they were awarded after the book gained some initial popularity.
It's important to remember that the book's true impact came later, with the entire series achieving immense popularity and critical acclaim, leading to numerous awards for Rowling's work as a whole.