The longlist for the 2023 Klaus Flugge Prize is announced today (Thursday 16 February 2023). Established in 2016, the Klaus Flugge Prize is awarded to the most promising and exciting newcomer to children’s picture book illustration. It honours Klaus Flugge, founder of publisher Andersen Press and a supremely influential figure in picture books.
Over forty books were submitted and from 25 different publishing houses; 16 have made it to the longlist. Independent publishers including small presses UCLan, Lantana, Child’s Play, Flying Eye and Book Island are all represented, while Walker dominates with three books on the list.
The 2023 Klaus Flugge Prize longlist in full:
Cheesed Off!, by Genevieve Aspinall, written by Jake Hope, editors Kieran Baker and Hazel Holmes, designer Amy Cooper
John Agard’s Windrush Child, by Sophie Bass, written by John Agard, editor Megan Middleton, designer Beth Aves
Lost in the City, by Alice Courtley, editor Elaine Connelly, designer Izzy Jones
Mildred the Gallery Cat, by Jono Ganz, editor Cherise Lopes-Baker, designer Roanne Marner
That’s Nice Love, by Owen Gent, editor Victoria Miller, designer David Rose
Our Story Starts in Africa, by Jeanetta Gonzales, written by Patrice Lawrence, editor Emma Roberts, designer Zoe Tucker
How to Make a Book, by Patricia Hu, written by Becky Davies, editor Becky Davies, designer Ella Tomkins
Flooded, by Mariajo Ilustrajo, editor Lucy Brownridge, designer Karissa Santos
Alcatoe and the Turnip Child, by Isaac Lenkiewicz, editor Harriet Birkinshaw, designer is Ivanna Khomyak
Through the Forest, by Yijing Li, editor/designer Holly Tonks
The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish, by Chloe Savage, editor Maria Tunney, designer Ines Amaral
Valentine’s Guest House, by Sam Sharland, editor Sue Baker, designer Annie Kubler
Saving the Butterfly, by Gill Smith, written by Helen Cooper, editor Denise Johnstone-Burt, designer Louise Jackson
The Missing Piece, by Beth Suzanna, written by Jordan Stephens, editor Lara Hancock, designer Goldy Broad
Daddy Do My Hair: Beth’s Twists, by Chanté Timothy, editors Melissa Gitari and Helen Mackenzie-Smith, designer Emily Hearn
The Baker by the Sea, by Paula White, editor Ruth Symons, designer Genevieve Webster
Previous Klaus Flugge Prize winners include Jessica Love in 2019 for Julian is a Mermaid, Francesca Sanna in 2017 for The Journey, Kate Milner for My Name is Not Refugee in 2018, Eva Eland for When Sadness Comes to Call in 2020 and Flavia Z Drago in 2021 with Gustavo the Shy Ghost.
Joseph Namara Hollis was the 2022 winner with Pierre’s New Hair, and returns this year as a judge alongside award-winning illustrator Lydia Monks; Sarah McConnell, Course Leader for Masters in Illustration at Nottingham Trent University; and Urmi Merchant, co-founder and director of the children's specialist bookshop and events space Pickled Pepper Books.
The panel will be chaired by Julia Eccleshare, director of the children’s programme of the Hay Festival.
Julia Eccleshare says, “It’s eight years since the launch of the Klaus Flugge Prize, and almost 50 years since Klaus Flugge founded Andersen Press, but picture book illustrators still have the power to surprise us as they explore new ways of storytelling and choose different stories to tell. Here are books that introduce children to art and to exploration; that examine loneliness and its opposite, acceptance; that recount histories; celebrate diversity; offer guidance for our future. Each artist acknowledges young children’s ability to understand often complex ideas and emotions communicated through illustration. It’s an exciting list to bring to our judges. Our thanks as always to Klaus Flugge for his generous sponsorship and continuous support for new picture book talent.”
The shortlist will be announced on 17 May 2023 and the winner will be revealed in September.
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