Kate Winter wins the 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize for most exciting newcomer to picture book illustration
Kate Winter is the winner of the 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize awarded to the most exciting and promising newcomer to children’s picture book illustration. She won for her book The Fossil Hunter (Puffin Books), which tells the story of Mary Anning, the 19th century palaeontologist whose discoveries in the cliffs of Lyme Regis transformed scientists’ understanding of the world. Via atmospheric watercolour illustrations, the book skilfully tells Mary’s personal story and details her discoveries and their scientific impact. This is the first time an information picture book has won the award.
The Klaus Flugge Prize judges describe The Fossil Hunter as a beautiful book and admire Kate Winter’s observational skills.
Judge award-winning illustrator Petr Horáček says, ‘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. 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 adds, ‘I am fascinated by the amount of work Kate has put into the creation of this book, especially as it is her debut 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.’
Kate Winter says, ‘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.
Making a book, like raising a child, really does take a village. I am forever grateful and in awe of my team at Penguin, who supported me and nurtured my creativity throughout the process and who are so dedicated to bringing important stories to children’s book publishing. I’m also grateful to my tutors on the MA in Children’s Book Illustration who taught me at Cambridge School of Art and who helped me develop my illustrative voice and find stories I felt passionate about.
She highlighted the challenge facing illustrators saying, ‘I’ve worked in creative industries all my life and it’s a very hard gig. We need to support our visual artists and highlight their importance in the world. Picture books are some of the first images our children see and bring new ideas and perspectives to young people. They really can effect change. I’m forever grateful to those who recognise the value of the visual arts, support creativity and champion children’s book illustration as an art form. Thank you, Klaus Flugge, for your part in this.’
Alongside Petr Horáčék and Mariajo Ilustrajo, this year’s judges are Olivia Ahmad, Artistic Director at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration; and Alex Forbes, founder of independent bookshop Fourbears Books. The panel is chaired by Julia Eccleshare, Director, Hay Children’s Festival.
The announcement was made on the evening of Wednesday 11 September in the library at CLPE, Webber Street, London SE1.
Kate Winter wins £5,000.
The 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize shortlist in full is:
The Crown, Emily Kapff (Walker Books)
The Dream Book, Bia Melo, (Templar)
Henri and the Machine, illustrated by Olga Shtonda, written by Isabelle Marinov (Templar)
Farah Loves Mangos, by Sarthak Sinha (Flying Eye Books)
Bright Stars of Black British History, Angela Vives, written by J.T. Williams (Thames & Hudson)
The Fossil Hunter, Kate Winter (Puffin Books)
