Janis Roze Publishers
Latvia
Text and Illustrations by Aleksandra Runde
What the jury said:
This charming little book from Latvia presents 23 creative tips for handling moments of embarrassment when one finds oneself unexpectedly naked, a scenario many encounter in dreams. The book playfully offers strategies for navigating such situations with grace and confidence through beautifully illustrated and elegant line drawings in a delicate colour palette. Depicted in delightful vignettes, solutions range from the simple and timeless strategy of using a leaf for modesty, to more performative approaches like posing statue-like on a pedestal, advocating for body liberation in a public square, or embracing total freedom by riding off into the sunset on a white horse. Each solution is presented on a double-page spread, accompanied by a succinct title. This book is commendable not just for its polite and intelligent approach but for subtly promoting education on body image and well-being. Skilfully navigating cultural discourse and conversations about the body, by ironically portraying the characters and their responses to the situation it strikes a balance between social conventions and stereotypes, touching on the themes of freedom and self-determination as well.
Petits riens (Small Nothings)
CotCotCot Éditions
Belgium
Text and Illustrations by Marion Pedebernade (Waii-Waii)
What the jury said:
A child’s collection of pebbles, folds harbouring small, luminous flakes of sea-smoothed glass, and shell fragments all represent a unique way of viewing the world. This book emphasizes the importance of paying close attention to minutiae and their connection with the cosmos. The jury was impressed by this highly promising debut’s elegant, airy, square, metal staple-bound format, a design that aligns with the content’s poetic essence, conjuring up a narrative and visual atmosphere that, in the finest children’s publishing tradition, stands out for its exquisite specificity.
Atnoonbooks
South Korea
Text and Illustrations by Yeonju Choi
What the jury said:
On a sleepless night, little kitten Mo follows a gleaming light outside the window and embarks on an adventure through the forest. As Mo walks through the woods, he encounters friendly forest friends, through whom the kitten learns various pieces of wisdom. However, all of the forest animals caution Mo to watch out for the bear living in the dark forest. Mo imagines a terrifying bear. Will little kitten Mo be able to find the gleaming light without encountering the scary bear?
This debut strikingly combines classic and modern elements in a small, exquisitely cloth-bound format. Inspired by the author’s real-life cat (which even has its own social media profile), the book features a remarkable cat lead character named Mo. The book is infused with humorous, high-quality, detailed, surprising and dynamic illustrations that narratively explore the role of imagination. The book’s unusual, at times dreamlike composition showcases a wide array of knowledgeably and unpredictably depicted animals and natural elements. Benefitting from significant editorial investment, the work overflows with the lead character’s strong personality, uniquely blending high-brow references (the illustrations of Beatrix Potter) with a style reminiscent of the American comics tradition, as well as referencing numerous bears from children’s literature.
GALLERIES
GLOBAL RIGHTS EXCHANGE
FAIRTALES
