Thames & Hudson children's art book wins Bologna award

Thames & Hudson has won the New Horizons award at this year’s Bolognaragazzi Awards with its book about the history of pictures for children.

A History of Pictures for Children by David Hockney and Martin Gayford, illustrated by Rose Blake, won the New Horizons award, which is for innovative books that introduce the readers to new horizons.

“As a project, the book and its interplay of dialogue are profoundly new, casting into question myths and prejudices that have often hindered an authentic, meaningful relationship with art,” said the jury. “It accompanies the reader as she discovers the essence of artistic creation and art. This book is a gift for all ages.”

The Bolognaragazzi Awards, run by the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, have been running since 1966 and celebrate illustrated books in several categories: Fiction, Non- Fiction, Opera Prima (a prize for first-time authors and illustrators) and Toddler. This year 1,558 books were submitted from 43 countries worldwide.

The winner of the fiction category was Panáček, pecka, švestka, poleno a zase panáček (Puppet, Plum Pit, Plum, Plank, and back to Puppet) by Vojtech Masek and Chrudos Valousek, published by Baobab in the Czech Republic.

Atlas das viagens and dos exploradores - As viagens de monges naturalistas e outros viajantes de todos os tempos e lugares by Isabel Minhós Martins and Bernardo P. Carvalho (Planeta Tangerina/Portugal) won the non-fiction prize, and Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (Candlewick Press/the US) won the debut award.

¡A dormir, gatitos! by Bàrbara Castro Urío (Zahorí Books/Spain) was given the inaugural Toddler prize.

More details about the winners and the shortlists is available on the Bologna Children’s Book Fair website.