Wednesday 11 September – Kate Winter is the winner of the 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize awarded to the most exciting and promising newcomer to children’s picture book illustration. She won for her book The Fossil Hunter (Puffin Books), which tells the story of Mary Anning, the 19^th century palaeontologist whose discoveries in the cliffs of Lyme Regis transformed scientists’ understanding of the world. Via atmospheric watercolour illustrations, the book skilfully tells Mary’s personal story and details her discoveries and their scientific impact. Special gatefolds are a key part of the book, opening to reveal the prehistoric past, allowing readers to dip into Mary’s mind to see what she is thinking.

Kate Winter carried out much of her research for the book at the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences in Cambridge, where she lives, as well as at the Natural History Museum, London. She also read Mary Anning’s letters and journals and spent time in Lyme Regis, and it was walking on the beach and drawing in the places Mary loved that helped her really get to know her subject.

Of her book she says, “Mary was a creative thinker. She dared to dream up something no one had ever thought of before. That’s what I want to do with my work: I want to show new ways of looking at things and I want to take readers on a magical journey.”

The Klaus Flugge Prize judges describe The Fossil Hunter as a beautiful book and admired Kate Winter’s observational skills.

Judge award-winning illustrator Petr Horáček says, “The Fossil Hunter stood out even in a very strong shortlist. It is a beautifully produced book in which the informative text, the story and the illustrations are in perfect harmony. The energetic, well drawn and painted illustrations are a real treat for a reader of any age.”

Fellow judge and 2023 Klaus Flugge Prize winner Mariajo Ilustrajo says, "I am fascinated by the amount of work Kate has put into the creation of this book, especially as it is her debut book. She shows great observational skills throughout. Her paintings are fresh, but delicate. There is a sense of place and atmosphere in all the images and way she uses light and the colour palette is exceptional. Many congratulations to Kate, The Fossil Hunter is utterly stunning, a true work of art."

Kate Winter says, “Thank you to the Klaus Flugge Prize for championing creativity and children’s book illustration. It was such a treat to be shortlisted among this group of talented illustrators and visual storytellers. To win the prize is amazing and makes me ever more grateful to Mary Anning and her inspiring life story that is so visually rich and such a gift to an illustrator. Thank you to the Klaus Flugge Prize for this award and for recognising the hard work that went into this book. 

Making a book, like raising a child, really does take a village. I am forever grateful and in awe of my team at Penguin, who supported me and nurtured my creativity throughout the process and who are so dedicated to bringing important stories to children’s book publishing. I’m also grateful to my tutors on the MA in Children's Book Illustration who taught me at Cambridge School of Art and who helped me develop my illustrative voice and find stories I felt passionate about.

I’ve worked in creative industries all my life and it’s a very hard gig. We need to support our visual artists and highlight their importance in the world. Picture books are some of the first images our children see and bring new ideas and perspectives to young people. They really can effect change. I’m forever grateful to those who recognise the value of the visual arts, support creativity and champion children’s book illustration as an art form. Thank you, Klaus Flugge, for your part in this.”

Chair of the judges, Julia Eccleshare says: “There is a strong history of illustrated non-fiction in children’s books, and we are excited that this year’s Klaus Flugge Prize is awarded to an information picture book. Non-fiction stories have been shortlisted previously, but this is the first time an information book has won. Mary Anning’s story has been told before but through the illustrations and Kate’s distinctive approach, The Fossil Hunter creates a unique sense of her character and work.  Each of the illustrators on our very strong shortlist has their own style, and their ability to communicate mood, character and narrative through illustration is thrilling. Congratulations to them all and very special thanks again to Klaus Flugge who has done so much to support and promote illustrators throughout his long career.”

Established in 2016, the Klaus Flugge Prize honours publisher Klaus Flugge, a supremely influential figure in picture books. Flugge set up Andersen Press in 1976 and discovered and nurtured many of today's most distinguished illustrators including David McKee, Tony Ross, Satoshi Kitamura, Ruth Brown and Susan Varley. In April 2023 he was awarded the London Book Fair Lifetime Achievement Award to add to his list of honours.

As it becomes increasingly difficult for debut illustrators to break through, the Klaus Flugge Prize is already recognized as 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 and Kate Milner.

Alongside Petr Horáčék and Mariajo Ilustrajo, this year’s judges are Olivia Ahmad, Artistic Director at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration; and Alex Forbes, founder of independent bookshop Fourbears Books. The panel is chaired by Julia Eccleshare, Director, Hay Children’s Festival.

The announcement was made on the evening of Wednesday 11 September in the library at CLPE, Webber Street, London SE1.

Kate Winter wins £5,000.