Established in 2016, the Klaus Flugge Prize was set up to honour Klaus Flugge, founder of Andersen Press and an extremely influential figure in children’s picture books. It is awarded to the most promising and exciting newcomer to children’s picture book illustration and

This evening at an very special event at the CLPE Library in London, the good and the great got together in person to celebrate this important award.

From a phenomenal shortlist the judges selected Flavia Z. Drago's beautiful book Gustavo, the Shy Ghost about a little ghost who despite being so shy he is invisible to the other monsters, eventually finds a way to make friends. The LoveReading4Kids team called it "a sweet and offbeat story of friendship and courage."

The Klaus Flugge judges said: "A visual treat and the text and illustrations work very well together; it’s full of detail but never cluttered; pace is cleverly controlled; just the right balance of fun and fright!".

We are delighted to be working with Walker Books and the Klaus Flugge team to produce a fabulous celebration of the prize, for the LoveReading LitFest including an interview with the winning illustrator. We are honoured to talk to Klaus himself,  the judges Julia Eccleshare MBE and previous winner Posy Simmonds, and then have a gorgeous discussion with Flavia Z. Drago, author and illustrator of the beautiful book.

Flavia was born and raised in Mexico City and, as a child, she wanted to be a mermaid. When she realised that was going to be rather a challenging career move, she began work as a graphic designer and a children's book illustrator - and we are very glad that she did!

In addition, Flavia treats us all to a MasterClass in children’s book illustration with her showing us how to perfectly design and create Gustavo at home.

Access the special event to celebrate 2021’s winner on the LoveReading LitFest homepage

To find out more about the other shortlisted pocture books, visit our Awards section - The Klaus Flugge Prize.