Kate Winter’s information picture book The Fossil Hunter wins Klaus Flugge Prize in award first

The 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize for children’s picture book illustration has been awarded to Kate Winter for The Fossil Hunter (Puffin Books), marking the first time the £5,000 prize has been awarded to an information picture book.

The Fossil Hunter tells the story of Mary Anning, the 19th century palaeontologist whose discoveries in the cliffs of Lyme Regis transformed scientists’ understanding of the world. The prize announcement was made on the evening of Wednesday 11th September in the library at London’s Centre for Literacy in Primary Education.

Judge and award-winning illustrator Petr Horáček said The Fossil Hunter “stood out even in a very strong shortlist”. “It is a beautifully produced book in which the informative text, the story and the illustrations are in perfect harmony,” he said. “The energetic, well drawn and painted illustrations are a real treat for a reader of any age.”

Fellow judge and 2023 Klaus Flugge Prize winner Mariajo Ilustrajo added: “I am fascinated by the amount of work Kate has put into the creation of this book, especially as it is her début book. She shows great observational skills throughout. Her paintings are fresh, but delicate. There is a sense of place and atmosphere in all the images and way she uses light and the colour palette is exceptional. Many congratulations to Kate: The Fossil Hunter is utterly stunning, a true work of art."

Winter said: “Thank you to the Klaus Flugge Prize for championing creativity and children’s book illustration. It was such a treat to be shortlisted among this group of talented illustrators and visual storytellers. To win the prize is amazing and makes me ever more grateful to Mary Anning and her inspiring life story that is so visually rich and such a gift to an illustrator. Thank you to the Klaus Flugge Prize for this award and for recognising the hard work that went into this book."

Chair of the judges Julia Eccleshare said: "We are excited that this year’s Klaus Flugge Prize is awarded to an information picture book. Non-fiction stories have been shortlisted previously, but this is the first time an information book has won.

“Mary Anning’s story has been told before but through the illustrations and Kate’s distinctive approach, The Fossil Hunter creates a unique sense of her character and work. Each of the illustrators on our very strong shortlist has their own style, and their ability to communicate mood, character and narrative through illustration is thrilling. Congratulations to them all and very special thanks again to Klaus Flugge, who has done so much to support and promote illustrators throughout his long career.”