Courtley, Ganz and Ilustrajo shortlisted for Klaus Flugge Prize

Five books have been shortlisted for the 2023 Klaus Flugge Prize, with Alice Courtley, Jono Ganz, Gill Smith, Mariajo Ilustrajo and Paula White up for the prestigious award.

Established in 2016, the Klaus Flugge Prize is awarded to “the most promising and exciting newcomer to children’s picture book illustration”. The award honours Klaus Flugge, founder of publisher Andersen Press.

This time over 40 books were submitted and from 25 different publishing houses; 16 made it to the longlist. The shortlisted works are: Lost in the City, by Courtley (Orchard Books), Mildred the Gallery Cat, by Ganz (Tate) and Flooded, by Ilustrajo (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books).

Saving the Butterfly, by Smith, written by Helen Cooper also makes the list (Walker Books) alongside The Baker by the Sea, by White (Templar Books).

In Lost in the City the judges admired Courtley’s “control of the story, and her use of composition and colour” as well as praising “the consistency of the lively world she creates”, while of Mildred the Gallery Cat they said: “The design skilfully maintains a balance between control and chaos”, adding that they loved “the exuberance of the story and its joyous, playful communicativeness".

They described Flooded as an “important story, cleverly told and beautifully drawn, full of little details that allow children to explore its world, even if they can’t yet read the story” and that in Saving the Butterfly, Smith “handles a difficult subject really well” with “atmospheric and impressive” illustrations. The judges admired White’s “lyrical depiction of the landscape, the strong sense of place and the rolling tempo” in The Baker by the Sea, saying: “It works magic.”

This year’s judges are multi award-winning illustrator Lydia Monks; Joseph Namara Hollis, winner of the 2022 Klaus Flugge Prize; Urmi Merchant, founder and owner of independent bookshop Pickled Pepper, London; and Dr Sarah McConnell, course leader of the Masters in Illustration course at Nottingham Trent University. The panel is chaired by Julia Eccleshare, director of the Hay Children’s Festival.

Eccleshare said: “From a very strong longlist, our judges have selected a shortlist that celebrates community, creativity and adventure. Here are books that are sophisticated, playful, serious. The five illustrators are technically accomplished but bring a freshness which is very exciting. At a time when it is particularly hard for new talent to break through, we are grateful to Klaus Flugge for his generosity in sponsoring the prize and for his lifelong support for authors and illustrators.” The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on Wednesday 13th September 2023 and will receive a cheque for £5,000.