The SCBWI Australian Picture Book Illustrator Awards recognise the talent of published Australian children’s illustrators, in visual narrative for picture books and graphic novels from early childhood to young adult. The Award is managed by SCBWI Australia East and is funded by the Copyright Agency.
There are two categories – Established and Emerging Illustrator Awards for Australian Illustrators with prize money to assist an illustrator with the creation of a new visual narrative picture book or graphic novel.
Judging Criteria
Originality of the intended project
Creativity of the intended project
Artistic and literary merit of the applicant’s body of work (assessed on grounds of stylistic and thematic achievement as demonstrated by portfolio and support material)
Ability of applicant to create an excellent narrative with a significant visual component (as demonstrated by portfolio and support material) which may be textual and visual, or visual alone (wordless).
Our stupendous judges for 2024 are:
Ann James—Author and Illustrator
Angus Yuen-Killick—Publisher, Red Comet Press
Tiffany Malins—Publisher, Scholastic Press
SCBWI is so excited to have such wonderful and hugely talented publishing professionals for this incredible award. So let’s get to the winners!
SCBWI Judges’ Report 2024 by Ann James, Angus Yuen-Killick and Tiffany Malins
Established Illustrator Category
FIRST PRIZE: Heidi McKinnon
The jury is delighted to award the first prize to Heidi McKinnon for SCRATCH & SNIFF. In her Project Description, Heidi presented a very strong and well-developed concept for a series of young chapter books featuring two adorable characters with instant kid appeal. Her presentation included character studies and written descriptions of the protagonists’ personalities and how they would relate to each other in the stories in each book. She has a strong grasp of her project which is both fun and educational, potentially delivering gentle life lessons on friendship and related social emotional topics in an incredibly relatable way. She also presented comparative research of other titles in the market that show where her books might fit alongside others. We fell for her characters, the thought process and planning behind her project and the humor and warmth at the heart of storytelling. We cannot wait to see where Heidi takes these books as she develops them further.
SECOND PRIZE: Mick Elliott
We were all immediately taken in by Mick Elliott’s proposal for HYPO, a deeply personal, auto-biographical graphic novel inspired by the author’s diabetes diagnosis as a young teenager. It was clear from the outline and the well-developed supporting material that Hypo has the potential to be a captivating story told with much humour and heart. Mick’s proposal creatively and successfully conveyed the concept through a strong, striking visual narrative. The inclusion of concept art inspired by the author’s childhood journal entries was particularly endearing.
As outlined in the detailed project description, the judges could see the scope for the protagonist’s story to move into interesting narrative directions, from the early science of diabetes to imaginative character exploration and quirky moments of heartfelt humour. The graphic novel format is the perfect choice for Mick’s story—particularly suited to the subject matter and Mick’s humorous and expressive illustration style. Hypo was a strong proposal, supported by an appealing body of work, and we look forward to seeing the development of this concept.
THIRD PLACE: Maxine Hamilton
The judges were impressed with THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER’S DAUGHTER as an ambitious and original concept for a picture book. From Maxine’s portfolio we see most of the books she has illustrated have been informed by her own curiosity, interest and knowledge of the natural world. She has impressive examples of a range of approaches, some requiring natural realism, others more imaginative child-centred illustration. This will be the first picture book she has written. Maxine is creating a fascinating and unusual child-centred biography. We are impressed by her support material and her enthusiasm for this story that has driven such deep research, thought and planning. Her roughs and sample layouts gave us a clear idea of the proposed layout and story content. The most precious resources are the family photographs, inspiring Maxine’s approach and her creative energy to tackle such an ambitious project in a picture book form. She references these for the places, the life, the family and the child herself. All are very real in Maxine’s thorough preparatory work, especially sample page layouts. These photographs and other inspirational references inform both her illustrations and text and importantly, the energy in her story. We feel this book promises to intrigue and fascinate children. Many of the places where the real child, Pat, lived, will be known to readers – and Maxine’s illustrations will bring these places, people and the creatures that inhabit them, to life.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Mandy Foot
ELEPHANTS ARE PEARS was an original concept inspired by basic foundation shapes of drawing, and connecting the illustrated forms of animals to other shapes and items. Mandy proposes using these visual similarities to explore character, individuality and diversity, as well as communicating the technical aspects of illustration to young readers. The proposed story follows an adorably sweet baby African elephant, gorgeously executed in pencil-line sketches and soft watercolour. Along the way, the characters discover that different shapes and sizes are special in their own way, and diversity and uniqueness is to be celebrated.
Supported by an impressive portfolio of striking animals, cheeky characters and sweeping landscape scenes, the judges could see the creative potential and appeal in Mandy’s interesting picture-book concept.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Sofya Karmazina
Sofya has a strong background and success in both book design and illustration, referenced in her portfolio. We were particularly impressed though, with her urge to write and illustrate her own story, examine emotions and feelings and explore more lyrical directions in picture book storytelling. We feel the concept that Sofya has submitted as her project has great promise.
We are so pleased that Sofya has followed her own direction in creating this project, and glad that the idea kept tugging at her sleeve, as she said introducing it to us. Though her Portfolio showcased her range of visual skills and styles, we were particularly interested in the more stylised and experimental works, the gentler, painterly, sketchy examples that she described in her Project Description as lyrical and emotional. The outline for her story reflects these characteristics also. AYA AND THE BIRD is both a simple and complex story. Young Aya watches as birds build a nest, day by day. Sweet, intimate and child-centred, we are watching a story unfold while feeling another story woven through it. We share Aya’s curiosity and wonder, and worry at her worries. In Sofya’s storyboard the simple visuals are the outside view and the words give us the inner story. So, both visually and through her voice, and we strongly feel Aya’s happiness when it finds her. We commend Sofya on following that urge to ‘unleash her creative self’ and look forward to the picture story book that results.
Emerging Illustrator Category
WINNER: Nisaluk Chantanakom
The judges are all pleased to select Nisaluk Chantanakom’s KEEPING MY STRIPES as the winner of the Emerging Illustrator category. Nisaluk’s concept was a stand-out proposal in a very impressive and competitive collection of applications. Keeping My Stripes is a poignant picture-book story told through the eyes of a young girl, who leaves behind the land and language of her homeland to arrive in a new place. Once there, she endeavours to hide her family ‘stripes’ in an effort to look and act more like the people of her new home. The story explores themes of migration, acceptance and the complexities of cultural adaptation in a sensitive and age-appropriate way.
Nisaluk’s character designs were particularly engaging, with a clever use of colour, pattern and mixed techniques to convey emotion and a strong visual narrative. The thoughtful use of pattern, influenced by the intricate Thai designs of the author’s childhood, has been employed to both paint the character’s story and as a visual exploration of the author’s cultural roots and experiences.
The judges were all impressed by how developed and technically skilful Nisaluk’s illustrations and concept storyboards were. Her portfolio reveals an evocative use of light and dark in her storytelling, as well as a strong evolving visual style. Keeping My Stripes was a wonderful and considered concept, beautifully articulated, and we are all looking forward to seeing more from Nisaluk.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Kristen Willis
The judges were taken with Kristen Willis’ project about migration from Sicily to Australia called FROM CHESTNUTS TO SUGAR CANE. While focusing specifically on the Italian immigrant community, the story touches on many relatable themes which immigrants experience, such as courage, compassion, identity and cultural acceptance. The judges loved the depth of research in her supporting materials which included character studies, period clothing, photographs of people, places, and artifacts for her to use to guarantee authenticity. Kristen’s personal connection to the story adds a special layer to her storytelling and we are excited to see how she brings 1950’s Australia to life in this compelling biographical picture book.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Rosalie Street
We were intrigued and delighted by Rosalie’s project, THE MOONLIGHT RABBIT HOTEL, a very original and creative concept. Ambitious too, and as Rosalie describes it, the first in a series. It will also be the first book she has written. Rosalie’s Portfolio is strong and varied and we look forward to her realising this new, amazing and very quirky project. The backstory for the project is its backbone. The inspiration has grown from her real experience of running ‘a boutique rabbit boarding hotel’ for 3 years. Both her Story Outline and Support Material are thorough, very visual and promise a strong picture story in a fabulous setting with a cast of characters inspired by actual rabbits she has known. Page roughs show us lively, rather filmic layouts and strong characters interacting. We see in her visual reference material, her characters which are inspired by human ‘actors’, are played by rabbits. Visual reference also includes photos of her rabbit stars, also captured in very engaging drawings. Rosalie’s rough plot outline for Book 1 – Mozart’s New Home, not only gives us the storyline, but a feeling of the grand and exotic setting, a taste of the humour, and most importantly the hero, the very real, lovable young Mozart.
Congratulations to all the winners!
