The shortlist for the 2019 Klaus Flugge Prize was announced last night. This award highlights the most promising and exciting newcomer to picture book illustration. Here are the 6 shortlisted books and the comments made by the judges. The winner will be announced on the 11th September.
Julian Is A Mermaid by Jessica Love
A wonderful story celebrating individuality and freedom of expression.
Judges comments : “it reminded me of Sendak, it’s hard to believe it’s a debut; the illustrations say things that words would struggle to express; delivers an important message without feeling didactic”
Looking After Daddy by Eve Coy
A very sweet story about a little girl and her stay-at-home Dad.
Judges comments : “the images tell their own stories; really good interplay between text and illustration; I smiled all the way through”
I Can Fly by Fifi Kuo
Penguin would love to be able to fly just like the other birds. Will he succeed?
Judges comments : “a beautiful book; a lovely sense of movement; the story has been done before but she’s transformed it; fantastic drawing skills, every penguin is different”
The Extraordinary Gardener by Sam Boughton
A celebration of nature and the joy it can bring into people’s lives.
Judges comments : “there’s an exuberance in the artwork; some wonderful spreads and Joe’s urban world is really well done; it has real child appeal”
The King Who Banned the Dark by Emily Haworth-Booth
The king is afraid of the dark and decides to ban it. But we need the dark to appreciate the light. A story of power and rebellion.
Judges comments : “a great idea and it really makes the most of light and dark; there’s lots of variety in the use of page layout, and lots of surprises; it’s full of energy and humour”
Red and the City by Marie Voigt
A witty retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, with the city playing the role of the wolf.
Judges comments : “the characters are simply drawn but have real personality; there’s a European feel to the artwork; a clever, multi-layered retelling of a well-known story”
You can read more about what Anthony Browne (one of the judges) says about each of the shortlisted books on Booktrust’s website.