The Girl with the Parrot on Her Head

LoveReading4Kids Says

Shortlisted for the inaugural Klaus Flugge Prize, an important new illustration prize for children's books. Inventive and witty, this is a story that is full of ideas and imagining rather than neatly tying up loose ends. Told more through the pictures than the words, the story of Isabel’s happiness as she plays with her friend Simon and her great unhappiness and sense of isolation when he moves away is movingly unfolded with very little explanation. This allows children to grieve with Isabel at her loss, to face up to her fears as they come crowding in and to enjoy her new friendship with her when it comes along. ~ Julia Eccleshare

Lovereading4kids's expert reviewer, Julia Eccleshare is the Chair of the Judges of the Klaus Flugge Prize, she said: “We asked the judges to consider technique and artistic ability, and they chose also to take into account the illustrators’ skill at characterisation. The discussion was lively and wide ranging and the final shortlist features exciting and extremely talented illustrators. The Klaus Flugge Prize is very important, the only one to recognise new illustrator talent at this crucial early stage in a career and we look forward to watching all six of the shortlisted illustrators develop.”

Original, and with a lively, bouncy feel, Hirst’s silk-screen prints and use of space caught the judges’ attention. A night-time scene with a wolf particularly impressed.

LoveReading4Kids

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