2021 CARMELITE PICTURE BOOK PRIZE WINNER ANNOUNCED
Lorna Hill from Norwich University of the Arts has won the 2021 Carmelite Prize with her illustrations for Corrinne Averiss’s book, Moon Mouse.
From Lorna:
“To be this year’s winner is an incredible honour. I feel so privileged to be part of a competition of such huge and diverse talent. Working with Corrinne’s heart-warming Moon Mouse text has been a real joy and breath of fresh air for myself in what has been a challenging year for us all. The story is a soul-hugging reflection of life during this pandemic, one that touches upon the importance of friendship and finding enjoyment out of the little things, even when physically distanced from others.
Thank you for the opportunity to work on such a wonderful brief and as a student about to graduate, it gives me such hope and excitement for the future. What an absolute pleasure!”
Quote from Paula Burgess, Group Art Director Picture Books and Pat-a-Cake:
‘Lorna’s artwork style is both unique and powerful. It took us on an immediate visual journey, complementing Corrinne’s hugely emotive text perfectly. All the judges were impressed by her ability to convey the immense loneliness and isolation that Mouse faces when living alone in space, as well as portraying sweet and quirky moments beautifully too. It was a very close call between the top six, as the standard of all the entrants was extremely high, but Lorna’s original artwork style really drew us all in. She is a talent of the future, and we are thrilled to announce her as our winner.’
Lorna has been awarded first prize of £1000 and the opportunity to publish a book by Corrinne Averiss, published by Orchard. Her course tutor will receive £500 sponsorship towards promoting the work of final year students.
Quote from Corrinne Averiss, author of Moon Mouse:
‘Writing for the Carmelite Prize is such an honour and I’ve been counting the days to a first sighting of submissions. They did not disappoint! The range and creativity shown in the entries was outstanding. If I were lucky enough to be paired with any of the artists on this shortlist in future, I would be delighted! However, one entry captured an atmosphere that could hold the emotional weight of the story, with unexpected detail, playfulness and confidence. And a Moon Mouse, with all the hallmarks of a classic picture book character, to take to our hearts.
The second prize of £500 goes to Sahar Haghgoo, from the Pathways into Children’s Publishing programme , and the third prize of £250 goes to Alex Jarman from Falmouth University. Bethany Free from Nottingham Trent, Hannah Jayne Lewin from Pathways into Children’s Publishing and Evelyn White from Leeds University of the Arts are highly commended for their submissions.
2020 WINNING SUBMISSION
Past Winners
2020
ELLAN RANKIN
Anglia Ruskin University
ONE AND ONLY
Written by Jeanne Willis
2019
ZEBRACADABRA
Written by Kes Gray
2018
RIKO SEKIGUCHI
Falmouth University
WHERE THE SEA MEETS THE SKY
Written by Peter Bently
2017
ISOBEL EVANS
University of Hertfordshire
FREE-RANGE FREDDY
Written by Rachel Bright
2016
MARK NICHOLAS
Anglia Ruskin University
THE STORY OF TANTRUM O’FURRILY
Written by Cressida Cowell