The International Centre for the Picture Book in Society based at the University of Worcester and IBBY UK (International Board of Books for Young People) are delighted to announce a collaboration to select UK and Irish illustrators for the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB) 2015.
BIB is one of the oldest international honours for children’s book illustrators and one of the more prestigious. Eleven awards are made, including a grand prize for unique and outstanding illustration. The work is displayed in an exhibition in Bratislava from 4 September to 29 October and a catalogue is published. It is an award that is little known in the UK and indeed the last UK winner was John Rowe in 1997.
As part of their shared commitment to diversity and promoting awareness of the international children’s book world, this collaboration is seen by both ICPBS and IBBY UK as a very important step. IBBY Chair, Pam Dix, says, “ I am very keen to increase awareness of the Bratislava award in the UK particularly because of the status it awards to children’s illustration. I look forward to this being an on-going collaboration between the two organisations”.
Each country can enter a maximum of 15 participants who can then submit up to 10 illustrations from up to 2 books. Piet Grobler, Joint Course Leader for Illustration at Worcester, says, “hard choices had to be made but I am delighted and excited by these entries”. Piet, himself an award winner at Bratislava in 2003 and 2009, has just been announced as one of this year’s judges.
The following illustrators and books have been selected for Bratislava 2015:
Angela Barrett The most wonderful thing in the world – Walker
Laura Carlin A world of your own – Phaidon Press
Alexis Deacon Jim’s lion – Walker Books
Jo Empson Rabbityness & Never, Ever – Child’s Play
Olivia Gill Where my wellies take me – Templar
William Grill Shackleton’s journey – Flying Eye Books
Chris Haughton Shh! We have a plan – Walker Books
Emily Hughes Wild – Flying Eye
Jim Kay A monster calls – Walker Books
Dave McKean Mouse, bird, snake, wolf – Walker Books
Alice Melvin Counting birds – Tate Publishing
Levi Pinfold Black dog & Greenling – Templar
Yu Rong Smoke – 21st Century Publishing House, Beijing
Salvatore Rubbino A walk in New York & A walk in London – Walker Books
Viviane Schwarz I am Henry Finch – Walker Books
Further information:
First granted in 1967 to Yasuo Segawa (Japan), BIB is one of the more prestigious children’s book awards today, along with Hans Christian Andersen Award. Artists are selected by central organisations within each country and an international jury decides the award winners. The original artwork is exhibited in Bratislava, Slovakia.
The winner of the Grand Prix BIB receives a financial award of 3.000 USD; the five Golden Apples BIB receive 1.500 USD each; and the five BIB Plaques receive 1.000 USD each.
BIB is sponsored by UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture, Slovakia. The exhibition includes a programme of events, including a seminar for artists from developing countries.
Web information:
International Centre for the Picture Book in Society 