Northern Ireland

Debut book by Belfast-based author and illustrator shortlisted for Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration

A debut book by a Belfast-based author and illustrator Flora Delargy has been shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration
A debut book by a Belfast-based author and illustrator Flora Delargy has been shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration A debut book by a Belfast-based author and illustrator Flora Delargy has been shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration

A DEBUT book by a Belfast-based author and illustrator has been shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration.

The book, `Rescuing Titanic' by Flora Delargy, tells the lesser-known history of the Carpathia, the ship that heroically rescued 705 Titanic passengers, through "expansive watercolours"

The author has a personal connection to the story as her grandfather and great-grandfather both worked in the Belfast shipyard where the Titanic was built.

The Yoto Carnegies celebrate outstanding achievement in children’s writing and illustration and are unique in being judged by children’s and youth librarians, with the respective Shadowers’ Choice Medals voted for by children and young people.

The shortlist for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration features a diverse and bold range of illustrative and artistic styles, from a manga-inspired graphic novel, to traditional Chinese paper-cutting, from sharp, simple ink drawings to expansive watercolours.

A total of 13 books have been shortlisted - seven for the Carnegie Medal for Writing and six for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration.

The 31 long-listed titles were whittled down by the expert judging panel, which includes 12 librarians from CILIP, the library and information association’s Youth Libraries Group.

The winners will be announced on Wednesday, June 21 June during a live and streamed lunchtime ceremony at The Barbican, hosted by former Children’s Laureate Lauren Child.

The winners will each receive £500 worth of books to donate to a library of their choice, a specially commissioned and newly designed golden medal and a £5,000 Colin Mears Award cash prize.

Janet Noble, Chair of Judges for The Yoto Carnegies 2023, said this year's shortlists "clearly demonstrate that authors, illustrators and publishers are continuing to create outstanding books for children and young people that represent a wide range of identities, helping to ensure the diversity of experiences across the UK is reflected.

"Stories of bravery, compassion and community are told authentically and sensitively in a range of distinctive written and illustrative styles, with fantastic debuts taking pride of place alongside well-known names," she said.

"We're sure shadowing groups across the country will share our excitement in reading and discussing these superb books in the coming months, and we wish them luck in choosing their winners - we know it's not going to be an easy decision".

The winners will be announced and celebrated on Wednesday 21 June at a live and streamed lunchtime ceremony at The Barbican, hosted by former Children’s Laureate Lauren Child, who won the Carnegie Medal for Illustration.