Macmillan Children's book prize

Competition brief -


(There wasn't a proper description of the brief on the macmillan web page regarding the competition brief.)


- Produce an illustrated sample of a picture book targeted at children up to and around 5 years old.


Apparently entry forms with an information leaflet which gives the complete competition brief are sent to universities and colleges, so I should be able to find out more details when I return to college. I have emailed childrens@macmillan.co.uk to see if they will end me an entry form and information leaflet before I return to college, to see if I can get a full competition brief before I go back to college.


Number of pages / possible illustrations ?


Deadline :


When does the competition usually take place?
For 2011, submissions will be accepted from Tuesday 3rd May to Friday 6th May.
The deadline for the illustrative practises module is 11th March 2011, as the competition deadline is so much later, and I have a feeling that the workload for this competition is likely to be quite considerable (a idea or conept for a children's picture book must be developed and then suitable illustrations for this must be produced) if I were to enter this competition, I feel it would be best if I completed part of my entry for the illustrative practises deadline. - I could possibly complete a storyboard and one or two double page spreads of my entry (this would be something I would need to discuss with Mel).


How can I submit my entry?
It is encouraged that tutors collect student entries and send them in one delivery to MCB by courier.
Students are also welcome to hand deliver their entries from Tuesday 3rd May – Friday 6th May from 9.30am-5.30pm, to 20 New Wharf Road, London, N1 9RR.


Who chooses the winner?
The winners and highly commended are chosen by a judging panel that will include 2 leading children's book illustrators, an experienced children's bookseller, the Managing Director of MCB, Emma Hopkin and the Art Director, Anne Glenn.


The identity of the 2 children's book illustrators are not mentioned, nor is the children's bookseller. Having my work seen by experienced professionals would be a good opportunity to get more exposure outside of a college environment (something I have learnt as being very important from my Work Based Learning module).


How will the winners be notified?
Winners will be notified by phone by a representative from MCB. Those that have been highly commended will receive letters by email/by post, advising them of their success. Chosen pieces from the winners and highly commended will be exhibited for one week and each student will receive an invitation to the Private view/Awards ceremony.


When will the winners' and highly commended work be exhibited?
In 2011, the general exhibition will take place from Tuesday 24th May to Friday 27th May.


The main benefits of entry to this competition are the prestige and exposure that work would receive if you were to win or be highly commended. Work would be seen by both the general public and children's book illustators / people based with this industry. Winning or being highly commended would be a great way to possibly begin networking with other illustrators / art directors / publishers, and could lead to many opportunites for further work.


During my work based learning module I found that there are several children's book publishers (such as Walker books, frances lincoln publishing and Orion publishing) who will accept illustrated book samples. If I were to enter this competition, if I were unsuccessful I could then send my entry to these publishers after the competition.


I have also been considering producing an illustrated children's book as part of my final major study, and may consider combining an entry for this competition with a piece for my final major study.


This is a competiton which I would definitely like consider entering. My Work Based Learning module has consolidated an interest in children's illustration, and entering a competition such as this would be a good opportunity to learn more about working in this genre of illustration. 


I feel that one of the most important elements of entering this competition is research. Unfortunately, there were no examples of previous winners of the children's book prize on the macmillan website, so it is dificult to find out what has been judged as successful in the past. A good place to begin research would be looking at popular children's picture books which are targeted at children up to and around 5 years old - or even to ask children of this age group / parents what their favourite picture books are and why.


Previously, I have contacted two children's book illustrators who live in Lyme Regis (Lawerence and Catherine Anholt). If I were to enter this competiton I would definitely consider contacting them once I had completed my entry and asking their advice on my work.