Announcing the winners of the Wales Children’s & Young People’s Book Cover of the Year Awards 2024
Today, Thursday 28 November, the Books Council of Wales has announced the winning titles of its brand-new Children’s & Young People’s Book Cover of the Year Awards, which are awarded for the first time in 2024.
The awards have two categories – English-language Book Cover and Welsh-language Book Cover. The winners are:
English-language category winner:
The Song that Sings Us Cover illustration by Jane Matthews. Cover design by Becka Moor. Author: Nicola Davies. Published by Firefly Press.
Welsh-language category winner:
Mynd i Weld Nain Cover illustration by Lily Mŷrennin. Cover design by Richard Pritchard. Author: Delyth Jenkins. Published by Y Lolfa.
Jane Matthews, illustrator of the winning English-language cover, said: “Wow, this is such fantastic news! I’m delighted to win this wonderful new award, especially given the three beautiful, lively covers that The Song that Sings Us was up against. I love that this prize has been established to celebrate book cover design, and it means a lot to have the recognition of the Books Council of Wales and their Young People’s Panel.”
Penny Thomas from Firefly said: “We are really thrilled to see Jane and Becka’s stunning paperback cover for The Song that Sings Us win the inaugural Welsh Children’s Book Cover Award. This is a wonderful recognition of their outstanding artistic and design skills and imagination!”
Lily Mŷrennin, illustrator of the winning Welsh-language cover, said: “What an honour to hear that this little winter book has been chosen to win the award! The illustrations celebrate the cosiness of this time of year, and I hope everyone can experience a little magic in its pages.”
Ellyw Jenkins from publisher Y Lolfa said: “Y Lolfa are very proud that the cover of the book Mynd i Weld Nain has come out on top in the 2024 Children’s Book Cover Award competition, and that Lily Mŷrennyn’s fantastic artwork has been acknowledged. I hope everyone will go out and buy this special book – it’s a perfect Christmas present!”
The awards have been established to celebrate and recognise the contribution of illustrators and designers in bringing stories to life, and creating eye-catching, attractive books that appeal to young readers.
The eight books on the shortlists were selected by members of the Books Council of Wales’ Young People’s Panel; and the category winners were chosen by an online public vote held between 12 and 25 November. The designer/illustrator of the winning cover in each category wins or shares a cash prize of £500.
Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales, said: “Many congratulations to Lily Mŷrennin and Richard Pritchard, and Jane Matthews and Becka Moor for winning the very first Children’s & Young People’s Book Cover of the Year Awards.
I’m sure we’ve all picked up a book because it’s caught our eye from the shelf, or spotted a cover that’s made us want to find out more. In books for children and young people, book covers play such an important role as young readers are starting to discover new books, themes and genres – and a brilliant book cover can start them on a reading journey they may not otherwise have thought of.
So I’m delighted that we have been able to celebrate the creativity and talent of our illustrators and designers in or from Wales through these awards, and I would like to thank everyone involved in all of the books on this year’s shortlists.”
The other shortlisted titles were:
English-language Book Cover:
Ceri & Deri: 1,2,3 Cover illustration by Max Low. Cover design by Joana Rodrigues, Graffeg. Author: Max Low. Published by Graffeg.
Lilly & Myles: The Torch Cover illustration by Hannah Rounding. Cover design by Joana Rodrigues, Graffeg. Author: Jon Roberts. Published by Graffeg.
Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine Cover illustration by Becka Moor. Author: Claire Fayers. Published by Firefly.
Welsh-language Book Cover:
Ac Rwy’n Clywed Dreigiau / And I Hear Dragons Cover illustration by Eric Heyman. Cover design by Becka Moor. Editor: Hanan Issa. Published by Firefly.
Diwrnod Prysur Cover illustration and design by Huw Aaron. Author: Huw Aaron. Published by Gwasg Carreg Gwalch.
Mwy o Straeon o’r Mabinogi Cover illustration by Valériane Leblond. Cover design by Gwasg Rily Publications. Author: Siân Lewis. Published by Gwasg Rily Publications.
