Clean sweep for Anglia Ruskin University students at illustration prize ceremony

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) students have claimed a remarkable 1-2-3 in the Macmillan Prize for Illustration.

The students, from the Children’s Book Illustration MA course at ARU’s Cambridge School of Art, received their prizes at a ceremony at the London offices of publishing giant Pan Macmillan.

Abi Bi took the top prize with her picture book It’s Swing Time. It was Abi’s second time entering the Macmillan Prize for Illustration, having come second in 2023 with Where’s Katie’s Cat?

Abi, who has just completed her Masters course at ARU and will graduate later this summer, said: “My artwork reflects my connection with nature and the world around me.

“I am incredibly honoured to have won the Macmillan Prize for Illustration this year. Each page of It’s Swing Time unfolds a different story of animals on a swing, and I hope everyone can enjoy the simple yet imaginative moments of swinging along with them.”

Second prize was awarded to Claire Lemp for Charles Makes Tea and third prize was awarded to Antara Raman for Furlock. In addition to the top three prizes, nine of the 20 highly commended entries also came from ARU students.

It is the latest success for students and graduates of the world-leading course during the current academic year.

Chloe Savage won the Illustrated Books category at the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2024, Simona Massa finished top in the New Talent Children’s Publishing category at the World Illustration Awards, and Mariajo Ilustrajo won the £5,000 Klaus Flugge Prize.

Commenting on her success, Chris Inns, chair of judges and art director at Macmillan Children’s Books, said: “We received nearly 400 submissions, which is a record number, and 45 per cent up on the number we received in 2023. Opening up the criteria to a wider group of non-professional illustrators has given us a large selection of different media in a range of styles to review.

“Abi’s winning entry delighted all of the judges. Her watercolour art is expressive and joyful, and her images are so engaging that it almost disguises the huge amount of skill and artistry that goes into her book. Each scene is rendered in flowing lines and elegant brush work, and every page depicts the simple theme, but takes it in a different direction at each page turn, revealing a surprise that makes you chuckle every time.

“Her art has universal appeal and is perfect for children and the adults who read to them. On behalf of this year’s judges, I would like to congratulate Abi on her well-deserved win, and at the same time thank everyone who entered our competition this year.”

Shelley Ann Jackson, associate professor and course leader of the MA in Children’s Book Illustration at ARU, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Abi, who has found success twice now in this competition. For ARU students to receive the top three prizes in the Macmillan Prize for Illustration, out of almost 400 entries, is a remarkable achievement.

“What’s so pleasing is that students and graduates from our course here in Cambridge are being recognised on the national and international stage on a regular basis. Competitions such as the Macmillan Prize for Illustration, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the Klaus Flugge Prize, and the World Illustration Awards are all highly regarded within the industry, so winning these accolades is tremendously helpful as they set out on their professional journeys.”