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

Published on: 16 Mai 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!

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!