Book of the Year - Children's Illustrated
Book of the Year - Children’s Illustrated Shortlist
Graphic novels return in full force to this year’s shortlist with Jamie Smart’s anarchic animal duo and Dav Pilkey’s canine superhero making a return. The shortlist is rounded off with a penguin tale, a nostalgic nod to the magic of Christmas and the debut from Chris and Rosie Ramsey.
The Shortlist
Bunny vs Monkey: The Great Big Glitch
Written and illustrated by Jamie Smart
Phoenix Comic Books/David Fickling Books
Last year’s Illustrator of the Year, Jamie Smart returns to the shortlists with Bunny vs Monkey: The Great Big Glitch, the top children's book in the week of its publication. David Fickling Books developed an exceptional campaign with a curated approach for each retailer. Different exclusive editions were created for Waterstones and WHSmiths and a pre-order campaign with The Phoenix comic generated impressive returns. DFB also commissioned character costumes of Bunny and Monkey for Smart’s sold-out event at Waterstones Piccadilly.
Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder
Written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey
Scholastic
Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder took Dav Pilkey to new heights. The bestselling graphic novelist experienced a record year, enjoying a 41% year-on-year sales increase. Scholastic secured an instant children’s number one, developing a bespoke package for independent bookshops that included an exclusive gift-with-purchase and branded character standees. The campaign incorporated quotes from children to put Pilkey’s fans front and centre.
Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin
Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Alison Green Books
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler return to this shortlist with Jonty Gentoo, Donaldson’s highest value picture book since 2004. Alison Green Books developed a sensitive, PPC-shortlisted campaign that focused on Scheffler, protecting Donaldson following the death of her husband. Scheffler took part in 10 radio interviews, a live drawing session and an intimate event with Donaldson at Steyning Bookshop. A partnership with UK Antarctic Heritage Trust and Edinburgh Zoo helped bring this story of a resilient penguin to life.
Letters from the North Pole
Annie Atkins, illustrated by Fia Tobing
Magic Cat Publishing
Annie Atkins, a graphic designer on Wes Anderson films, has crafted a tale rooted in Christmas nostalgia. Illustrated by Fia Tobing, Letters from the North Pole was the Sunday Times’ Children’s Book of the Year and treated to a thoughtful campaign from Magic Cat. The team organised letter making events and programmed a speaker slot for Atkins at the Children’s Books Ireland International Conference. Window displays, designed by Atkins, beautified a Kew bookshop window and Daunt bookshops across London.
Pablo and Splash
Written and illustrated by Sheena Dempsey
Bloomsbury Children's Books
Bloomsbury ran a fun and creative campaign for Pablo and Splash that championed Sheena Dempsey as a fresh new voice in children’s graphic novels. A tour of indie bookshops in London was followed by 35 events across the UK and Ireland and a festival appearance in Australia. Dempsey also embarked on an illustrated window tour of bookshops and designed the Birdland Park and Gardens gift shop window.
There's a Poonami in my House
Chris and Rosie Ramsey, illustrated by Paula Bowles
Gallery Kids
Podcast superstars Chris and Rosie Ramsey make their children’s debut with a comical picture book inspired by their own family. Gallery Kids launched a bespoke campaign for There’s A Poonami in My House and focused their messaging on reading for pleasure. A personalised Poonami taxi ferried the Ramseys’ to a raft of interviews; supermarket support was supplemented with personalised tannoy recordings from the duo and a competition with Sainsburys to win, appropriately, a year’s supply of nappies.
