Emma Farrarons has been announced as winner of the 2025 Klaus Flugge Prize which is awarded to the most exciting and promising newcomer to children’s picture book illustration. She won for her illustrations in My Hair is as Long as a River, written by Charlie Castle (Macmillan Children’s Books). The boy in the story has long hair, and through a series of wonderful metaphors, gloriously illustrated by Farrarons, he explains why his long hair is so important, how it is part of him, even his ‘happy ever after’. The judges praise Emma’s use of colour and composition and the way she captures the story’s sense of playfulness.

Judge and 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize winner, illustrator Kate Winter says, ‘Emma Farrarons’ illustrations demonstrate consistent and accomplished artistry, with beautiful compositions, line work, colour palettes and feeling. The level of observation of children’s behaviour and imagination captured our attention. Emma is a very worthy winner of this prestigious prize.’

Emma Farrarons says, ‘This prize means so much to me. When I left my role as an in-house designer to pursue picture book illustration, I never imagined I’d come full circle and work with my former colleagues in such a different way. It was a joy to collaborate with them in this new chapter, and to see that book, alongside Charlie Castle’s beautiful text, recognised with the Klaus Flugge Prize feels truly special.’

She adds, ‘I love that this prize celebrates such a wide range of styles and approaches. There’s no single way to be a picture book illustrator—every voice and visual language has value. To be recognised specifically for storytelling, mood, and character is especially meaningful.’

This is the tenth year of the Klaus Flugge Prize, established in 2016 to honour publisher Klaus Flugge, a supremely influential figure in picture books, and a number of past winners were at the ceremony which took place at the Art Workers’ Guild, Queen Square, London. Among those attending were Eva Eland, Mariajo Ilustrajo, Flavia Drago, Joseph Namara Hollis and Nicholas John Frith.

Chair of the judges, Julia Eccleshare said, ‘We are delighted to be celebrating Emma Farrarons on the tenth anniversary of the Klaus Flugge Prize, as well as shortlisted illustrators Mikey Please and Rhian Stone, and thrilled to see so many former winners of the Klaus Flugge Prize at the ceremony. Picture books are children’s first encounter with art and the vital beginning step on young children’s Reading for Pleasure journey. Congratulations to all those who produce and publish picture books and very special thanks again to Klaus Flugge who has done so much to support and promote illustrators throughout his long career and to bring outstanding art to our children.’

Alongside Kate Winter, this year’s judges are teacher and educational consultant Rachna Joshi; and award-winning author illustrators Yasmeen Ismail and Bruce Ingman. Ingman also leads the MA Children’s Literature Children’s Book Illustration course at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Emma Farrarons receives a trophy and £5,000.

The longlist for the 2025 Klaus Flugge Prize has been announced.

This is the tenth year of the Klaus Flugge Prize, which was set up in 2016, in honour of publisher Klaus Flugge, a hugely influential figure in picture books and founder of publishing house Andersen Press. It is awarded annually to the most promising and exciting newcomer to children’s book illustration; the winning illustrator receives a cheque for £5,000. The Klaus Flugge Prize is the only prize specifically to recognise a published picture book by a debut illustrator.

Winning the Klaus Flugge Prize brings real prestige and past winners include New York Times bestseller Flavia Z. Drago (2021), Mariajo Ilustrajo (2023), twice shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration, and most recently Kate Winter, who won with The Fossil Hunter in 2024. There are video introductions to their illustration style on the Klaus Flugge Prize YouTube channel.

This year there were over three dozen submissions, from 26 different publishing houses; 15 have made it to the longlist. Quarto dominates with no less than four books on the list, including three from the new Frances Lincoln First Editions imprint, devoted to debuts and emerging illustrators; Rocket Bird Books have two titles on the list, including Grandad’s Star by self-taught illustrator Rhian Stone. Wacky Bee and Floris Books are both featured for the first time.

The 2025 Klaus Flugge Prize longlist in full:

Adnan illustrated by Diala Brisley
Written by Mark Arrigo and Steven Chatterton, editor by Claire Grace & Hattie Grylls, design by Myrto Dimitrakoulia & Belinda Webster (Quarto)

Serena and the Little Blue Dog illustrated and written by Rosemary Clunie
Editor Fiona Kennedy, design by Jessie Price (Zephyr)

The Great Highland Games Chase illustrated by Laura Darling
Written by Kate Abernethy, editor Jennie Skinner, design by Richard Wainman (Floris Books)

My Hair is as Long as a River illustrated by Emma Farrarons
Written by Charlie Castle, editor Grace Gleave, design Lorna Scobie (Macmillan Children’s Books)

Slug Life illustrated and written by Moesha Kellaway
Editor Libby Hamilton, design Camille Pichon (Rocket Bird Books)

The Cat who Couldn’t Be Bothered illustrated and written by Jack Kurland
Editor Lotte Dobson, design by Karissa Santos (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books)

Have You Seen Mikki Olsen? Illustrated and written by Alex Macdonald
Editor Peter Marley, design Karissa Santos (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books)

Grandpa Kuma illustrated and written by Michelle Maiden
Editor Louise Jordan, design by David Rose (Wacky Bee Books)

Paul the Peacock illustrated and written by Tilly Matthews
Editor Carly Madden, designer Sarah Chapman-Suire (Happy Yak)

The Café at the Edge of the Woods illustrated and written by Mikey Please
Editor Alice Blacker, design Val Brathwaite (HarperCollin’s Children’s Books)

The Dolls’ House illustrated by Claudia Ravalli
Written by Tanya Rosie, editor Emma Drage, designer Kate Penrose (Oxford)

Grandma’s Locs illustrated by Camilla Ru
Written by Karen Arthur, editor Cherise Lopes-Baker, design by Roanne Marner (Tate)

The Christmas Tree Mouse illustrated by Farah Shah
Written by Joseph Coelho, editor Andrea MacDonald, design by Lucy Wiseman (Puffin)

Grandad’s Star illustrated by Rhian Stone
Written by Frances Tosdevin, editor Libby Hamilton, design by Ness Wood (Rocket Bird Books)

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham An Introduction illustrated by Annabel Wright
Written by Kate Temple, editor Rob Airey, design by Leda Bartolucci (Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust)

The 2025 judging panel is headed by award-winning authors and illustrators Yasmeen Ismail and Bruce Ingman. Yasmeen’s debut picture book Time for Bed, Fred won the V&A Best Illustrated Book Award and The New York Times Best Illustrated Book award, many more bestselling picture books have followed. Bruce too is an internationally acclaimed illustrator whose partnership with author Allan Ahlberg has yielded many successes. Bruce also leads the MA Children’s Literature: Children’s Book Illustration course at Goldsmiths, University of London. They are joined as judges by teacher and educational consultant Rachna Joshi; and 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize winner Kate Winter. Julia Eccleshare is chair of the judging panel.

Julia Eccleshare says, ‘It’s always exciting to reveal the longlist for the Klaus Flugge Prize, and particularly so in its tenth year. Once again, the books demonstrate the abundance of new talent in picture book illustration. Our longlisted illustrators use a huge variety of technique, and their subjects range from grandads to slugs, topics including family love, managing emotions, and the refugee experience, so that this list demonstrates the extraordinary vitality and plurality of contemporary picture books. We look forward to celebrating the work of these illustrators and more throughout 2025 and, as ever, we say a huge thank you to Klaus Flugge whose generosity makes the prize possible and whose contribution to picture book publishing is unparalleled.’

The shortlist will be announced on 15 May 2025 and the winner will be announced at an award ceremony on 10 September 2025.

Events to mark the tenth year of the award include a celebration of the longlist at Waterstones Piccadilly on Thursday 8 May, events with Kate Winter in Cambridge and online, and joint activity with the Association of Illustrators.

Already Mariajo Ilustrajo is the winner of the 2023 Klaus Flugge Prize for the most exciting and promising newcomer to children’s picture book illustration. Mariajo is already overall winner of the Association of Illustrators World Illustration Awards, the English Association 4-11 Picture Book Award 2023 and the UK Literacy Association Picture Book Award 2023.

She won for her book Flooded (Frances Lincoln Books), a funny but powerful demonstration of the impact of climate change in which animals attempt to carry on with business as normal, even while their city is flooding. Finally, they listen to a voice of reason and work together on a solution. Humour lightens every page and the book’s ending is positive and upbeat.

Mariajo’s intention was to tell her story in a new visual language. By simplifying the colour palette, using grey wash and just two colours, she draws our attention both to the sea-green water as it rises, and to the yellow tail of the little tamarin monkey who is alert to the problem from the start. The Klaus Flugge Prize judges describe Flooded as fresh and beautifully drawn, and full of playfulness even as it delivers an important message.

Judge favourite illustrator Lydia Monks says, ‘I was really impressed with Mariajo Ilustrajo’s book. The sophistication and competence displayed is exceptional for someone so new to publishing. I’m excited to follow her career.’

Fellow judge and 2022 Klaus Flugge Prize winner Joseph Namara Hollis adds, ‘Flooded has it all! It absorbs you into a world teeming with life. The character details are captivating, drawing you closer. Each page is dynamic with plenty to discover as the drama unfolds. And whilst it is a fun story, it delivers an important message with warmth and humour. This is a book to enjoy again and again.’

Mariajo Ilustrajo says, ‘It’s difficult to describe with words the joy of winning this prestigious prize. I’ve been an illustrator for a long time but becoming a children’s book illustrator and author seemed like just a dream. This recognition makes me feel that I’m heading in the right direction and encourages me to keep exploring new ways of creating new stories. I am ‘flooded’ with happiness and proud to know my book touched the Klaus Flugge Prize judges amongst such an amazing shortlist.’

Chair of the judges, Julia Eccleshare says, ‘Picture book illustration is in a robust state of health and the submissions for this year’s Klaus Flugge Prize were very strong. Our five shortlisted illustrators have enormous technical skill as well as an exceptional understanding of how illustration carries story and meaning. Huge congratulations to Mariajo on winning this year’s Klaus Flugge Prize; Flooded is a book that speaks both to now and of universal themes.’

Established in 2016, the Klaus Flugge Prize honours publisher Klaus Flugge, a supremely influential figure in picture books. Flugge set up Andersen Press in 1976 and discovered and nurtured many of today’s most distinguished illustrators including David McKee, Tony Ross, Satoshi Kitamura, Ruth Brown and Susan Varley. In April he received the London Book Fair Lifetime Achievement Award to add to his list of honours.

As it becomes increasingly difficult for debut illustrators to break through, the Klaus Flugge Prize is already recognized as one of the most important and influential awards thanks to its spotlight on exciting new talent. Previous winners include Eva Eland, Jessica Love, Flavia Z Drago and Kate Milner.

Alongside Lydia Monks and Joseph Namara Hollis, this year’s judges are Urmi Merchant, founder and owner of independent bookshop Pickled Pepper, London; and Dr Sarah McConnell, Course Leader of the Masters in Illustration course at Nottingham Trent University. The panel is chaired by Julia Eccleshare, Director, Hay Children’s Festival.

The announcement was made on the evening of Wednesday 13 September in the library at CLPE, Webber Street, London SE1.

Mariajo Ilustrajo wins £5,000.

The 2022 Klaus Flugge Prize shortlist in full

Lost in the City, Alice Courtley (Orchard Books)
Mildred the Gallery Cat, Jono Ganz, (Tate)
Flooded, Mariajo Ilustrajo (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books)
Saving the Butterfly, Gill Smith, text by Helen Cooper (Walker Books)
The Baker by the Sea, Paula White (Templar Books)