Hey You!

Choosing this winner marked a “historical moment” for the judges, who fell in love with Dapo Adeola’s “visionary” picture book featuring the work of 18 Black illustrators (plus Adeola)in collaboration.

Inspired by Black Lives Matter, Adeola wanted to draw attention to the variety of people that make up the Black diaspora. The book’s themes of inclusivity and acceptance were brought to life, with each “stunning” illustration creating an “exhibition in a book”.

Puffin secured a highly coveted “BBC Breakfast” slot, ensuring every illustrator shown was clearly credited, and BBC London inter- viewed Adeola and three illustrators at Brixton’s Round Table Books.

The judges felt Hey You!’s “innovative, emotional” philosophy went beyond the page, inspiring creativity in a stream of new artists.

As one judge commented: “This book is the start of a movement.”