Congratulations to Emma Farrarons who was crowned the winner of this year’s prestigious Klaus Flugge Prize for her illustrations in My Hair is as Long as a River, written by Charlie Castle (Macmillan Children’s Books).

In My Hair is as Long as a River, a boy describes why his long hair is so important to him through a series of metaphors. The judges commended Emma’s use of colour and composition and the way she captured the story’s sense of playfulness in her illustrations.

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 prize is the only award specifically to recognise a published picture book by a debut illustrator and is one of the most important and influential awards in the UK, thanks to its spotlight on exciting new talent.

The Boy with Hair as Long as a River was chosen from a shortlist of three titles by a panel of judges made up of educational consultants and award-winning illustrators, including last year’s Klaus Flugge Prize winner Kate Winter, who said, ‘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.’

Already an international bestseller with her Mindfulness Colouring series, Emma Farrarons said: ‘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 added, ‘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.’

You can find out more about all this year’s shortlisted illustrators and their creative process in these short video interviews.