Jim Kay Nominated for Kate Greenaway Medal

We all love Jim Kay’s incredibly detailed illustrations and imaginings of the Harry Potter books, and so we can’t say that we’re all that surprised to learn that the first illustrated Harry Potter book, released in 2015, has been nominated for the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal, the illustration sister companion to the CILIP Carnegie Book Medal.

The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal was established in 1955, for distinguished illustration in a book for children. It is named after the popular and highly influential nineteenth[-]century artist known for her fine children’s illustrations and designs. Awarded annually, the Medal is the only prize in the UK to solely reward outstanding illustration in a children’s book.

This year, the Kate Greenaway Medal celebrates its 60th birthday, and among the previous winners are Chris Riddell (The Emperor of Absurdia, Ottoline and the Yellow Cat), Shirley Hughes (Dogger), Raymond Briggs (The Snowman, When the Wind Blows), and more. Jim Kay previously won the award in 2012 for his illustrations for Patrick Ness’s book A Monster Calls. Ness was awarded the Carnegie Medal for the same book in 2012 and also won the previous year.

Others nominated this year include another previous winner Chris Riddell, current Children’s Laureate Brian Selznick (Frindle, The Landry News), and Emily Gravett (Wolves, Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears). You can see the full shortlist here.

The winner will be announced on June 19, so watch this space. Congratulations, Jim, on the nomination! Wishing you the best of luck.