Children's illustrators shortlisted

The shortlist for the 2020 Klaus Flugge Prize, which highlights the most promising and exciting newcomers to picture book illustration, has been announced.

The prize was set up to honour Klaus Flugge, founder of Andersen Press and an extremely influential figure in children's picture books. This year's judges include award-winning illustrator Mini Grey; Jessica Love, 2019 Klaus Flugge Prize winner; Meera Ghanshamdas, bookseller at Moon Lane Ink; children's book consultant Jake Hope; and Pam Smy of Anglia Ruskin University. The five shortlisted titles by debut illustrators include: When Sadness Comes to Call by Eva Eland Editor Libby Hamilton, designer Rebecca Garrill (Andersen Press) What the judges said: 'Beautifully simple and pared back; the page layouts seem sparse and crisp but the work the illustrations are doing is quite extraordinary in terms of the message that sadness is something we might have to live with.' Eva Eland's examination of sadness, represented by a misty little monster, simply and unforgettably conveys a sophisticated message in a masterpiece of minimalism. The Star in the Forest by Helen Kellock Editor Anna Ridley, designer Aaron Hayden (Thames & Hudson) What the judges said: 'Few books these days use light and tone or traditional watercolour skills to tell stories; it's worked into something quite magical here.' Helen Kellock uses light and composition to create an atmospheric starry adventure, that glows with family love. Where is Your Sister? by Puck Koper Editor Suzanne Carnell, designer Jo Spooner (Two Hoots) What the judges said: 'Goes at a wonderful pace, with laugh out loud moments. It's stylish and feels very sophisticated for a first book.' Using a limited palette, Dutch artist Puck Koper creates a frantic dash through a department store which is both a search and find story, and an accurately observed and very funny family adventure. On the Origin of Species by Sabina Radeva Editor Anna Barnes Robinson, designer Keren Greenfeld (Puffin) What the judges said: 'It's full of detail and really reflects the beauty of nature. A feat of managing that amount of detail without it feeling cluttered. A wonderful reference book, a real companion for a child.' A one-time molecular biologist, Sabina Radeva utilises her passion for science to retell Darwin's famous work, mining the depths of inventiveness to convey information through few words and wonderful pictures. One Fox: A Counting Thriller Book by Kate Read Editor Suzanne Carnell, designer Jo Spooner What the judges said: 'Visually stunning. There's real drama here and the way the story is told is joyous. She's done a very clever thing and created a counting book while keeping within the beats of a story.' Kate Read uses bold colours, composition and collage to tell the story of one famished fox's encounter with some angry hens, making this counting book a real thriller. Chair of the judges Julia Eccleshare said, "Our shortlist demonstrates the vibrancy of contemporary illustration for children. Here are five very different books - the illustrators have different styles, use different techniques and have different intentions, but each achieves exactly what they set out to do with pictures that perfectly tell their stories. "The Klaus Flugge Prize has already highlighted many talented illustrators and in the fifth year of this important award, we're delighted to have another extremely strong and eye-catching shortlist." The winner will be revealed on Wednesday 16th September 2020 at a celebration event in London, and will receive a cheque for £5,000.

External Link

www.klausfluggeprize.co.uk