Love wins 2019 Klaus Flugge Prize

12 September 2019 Books+Publishing

In the UK, Jessica Love has won the £5000 (A$8990) Klaus Flugge Prize for most promising newcomer to children’s picture book illustration for Julian is a Mermaid (Walker Books), reports the Bookseller.

Love’s ‘barrier-breaking’ and ‘heartwarming’ book is the story of a young boy who loves mermaids and how he finds a way to become one, with the help of his nana. Julian is a Mermaid was previously shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, and was co-winner of the American Library Association’s Stonewall Book Award for books on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender experience.

Judge and former children’s laureate Anthony Browne called Julian is a Mermaid ‘an astonishingly beautiful book’. ‘It’s amazing to realise this is Jessica Love’s first attempt,’ said Browne. ‘She has quickly realised how picture books work—the understated words fit so brilliantly with the stunning illustrations, never getting in the way, never trying to do the same job. It’s a perfect picture book.’

The Klaus Flugge Prize was launched by UK publisher Andersen Press in 2016 to award picture books by debut illustrators.

Category: International news Junior