Emma Farrarons is the winner of the 2025 Klaus Flugge Prize 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 River, written by Charlie Castle. The boy in this 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 commend Emma’s use of colour and composition and the way she captures the story’s sense of playfulness.

A Decade of the Klaus Flugge Prize

This year marks ten years of the Klaus Flugge Prize, which was established in 2016 to honour Klaus Flugge, founder of Andersen Press and a leading figure in the world of children’s publishing and illustration. The £5,000 prize is awarded to the most promising and exciting newcomer to children’s picture book illustration. The only prize specifically to recognise a published picture book by a debut illustrator, it is 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, Mariajo Ilustrajo, Joseph Namara Hollis and Kate Milner.

The Winning Illustrator

Emma Farrarons became an international bestseller with her Mindfulness Colouring series. Filled with templates of exquisite scenes and intricate, sophisticated patterns, the books have helped a million people worldwide to feel calmer and more at peace. In contrast, her illustrations for My Hair is as Long as a River make full use of colour and detail to capture the personalities of the characters and the drama of the story.

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.”

What the Judges Had to Say

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.”

Chair of the judges, Julia Eccleshare says, “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 be joined by so many former winners of the Klaus Flugge Prize this evening. Picture books are often 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.”

This year’s judges are 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; teacher and educational consultant Rachna Joshi; and 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize winner Kate Winter. Julia Eccleshare is chair of the judging panel.

The announcement was made on the evening of Thursday 11 September at the Art Workers’ Guild, Queen Square, London WC1.

To read more about this year's Klaus Flugge Prize and the books that were shortlisted, see our features:
Discover the books on the shortlist for the 2025 Klaus Flugge Prize - with introduction by Kate Winter
Three exceptionally talented new illustrators are shortlisted for the Klaus Flugge Prize 2025

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