Meet the 5 best new children's book illustrators on the Klaus Flugge shortlist

Published on: 16 May 2018 Author: Catriona Wightman

The Klaus Flugge Prize celebrates the best debuts from children's book illustrators - and it's just unveiled its 2018 shortlist. Now you can get to know them with our gallery of their work!

Klaus Flugge Prize 2018 shortlist

Could one of the illustrators above be your new favourite?

All five of them have just been nominated for the 2018 Klaus Flugge Prize, an award for the best debut from a children's book illustrator given in honour of the man behind classics like Elmer and The Little Princess.

The full list of nominees is:

The Night Box - Ashling Lindsay
Writer: Louise Greig; Editor: Melissa Fairley; Art editor: Tiffany Leeson; Publisher: Egmont
My Name is Not Refugee - Kate Milner
Editor: Emma Hargrave; Art editor: Julie-Ann Murray
Read our review
Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover - Markus Motum
Editor: Denise Johnstone-Burt; Art editor: Louise Jackson
The Real Boat - Victoria Semykina
Writer: Marina Aromshtam; Editors: Katie Howarth & Lisa Edwards; Art editors: Genevieve Webster & Maya Schleifer
Big Box, Little Box - Edward Underwood
Editor: Emma Blackburn

Waterstones Children's Laureate Lauren Child was joined on the judging panel by 2017's winner Francesca Sanna, art director Goldy Broad, Foyles' head of children's books Charlotte Colwill and the head of judges, Julia Eccleshare.

'Our expert judges were presented with a very varied set of picture books and have selected a shortlist that feels exciting and full of potential,' said Julia. 'These are five talented illustrators and five highly original picture books.

'Each artist, in their different way, successfully guides readers into and through the stories they are telling via their illustration.'

We'll have to wait a while to find out the winner - the award ceremony will be held in London on 12 September, when the victor will receive a £5,000 prize.

But in the meantime, we have five glorious picture books to explore - and you can start right now with our shortlist gallery!

You'll find comments from the judges on why they nominated the illustrators, along with the book covers and pages from the books. Make sure you let us know in the comments below who you would like to win!

Meet the illustrators and books nominated for the 2018 Klaus Flugge prize

'Ashling Lindsay is an illustrator with huge potential. This is very accomplished technically, beautifully evocative and the judges were struck by the skilful composition.'

'Mood and emotion are beautifully portrayed; Milner chooses to use a limited palette but avoids making it too dark; she draws really well and the book’s construction always leaves space for the reader.'

'Motum is definitely an illustrator to watch. Though this is an information book, you feel there is a story being told, with pace and animation. His work reminded the judges of iconic Czech illustrator M Sasek.'

An illustration from Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover

'There are absolutely beautiful illustrations within the book, some of them exquisitely good, and the judges are excited to see what Semyinka will do next. They particularly admire the skilful change of scale that occurs throughout the little boat’s journey.'

'Colour and detail in Underwood’s book are both very pleasing indeed; graphically it is a stand-out picture book with superb use of colour and composition. There’s a slight sense of Lynley Dodd in the way the layout carries you through the story.'

An illustration from Big Box, Little Box

'Ashling Lindsay is an illustrator with huge potential. This is very accomplished technically, beautifully evocative and the judges were struck by the skilful composition.'

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An illustration from The Night Box

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An illustration from The Night Box

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'Mood and emotion are beautifully portrayed; Milner chooses to use a limited palette but avoids making it too dark; she draws really well and the book’s construction always leaves space for the reader.'

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An image from My Name Is Not Refugee

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'Motum is definitely an illustrator to watch. Though this is an information book, you feel there is a story being told, with pace and animation. His work reminded the judges of iconic Czech illustrator M Sasek.'

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An illustration from Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover

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An illustration from Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover

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'There are absolutely beautiful illustrations within the book, some of them exquisitely good, and the judges are excited to see what Semyinka will do next. They particularly admire the skilful change of scale that occurs throughout the little boat’s journey.'

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An illustration from The Real Boat

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An illustration from The Real Boat

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'Colour and detail in Underwood’s book are both very pleasing indeed; graphically it is a stand-out picture book with superb use of colour and composition. There’s a slight sense of Lynley Dodd in the way the layout carries you through the story.'

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An illustration from Big Box, Little Box

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An illustration from Big Box, Little Box

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Topics: Picture book, Features

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