Book Cover Art Competition

15 May - 8 June 2024


Following the successful Quentin Blake: Book Covers exhibition, a competition inviting young artists 5-14 years to design their own book covers was launched. 

We received a remarkable 348 entries, showcasing the creative talents of our young community.  All the entries were judged and a shortlist from each age category was chosen.

This exhibition presents the highly commended artworks and prize winners from each age category chosen by the judging panel.  Whilst not every entry could be displayed due to space limitations, all applicants that successfully made the shortlist can view their work in the dedicated portfolios.

Preview Event

We welcomed exhibitors, family and friends to a preview event on 14 May.  Mayor Maggie O'Rourke awarded prizes to all the winners. 

Overall winner: Martha Indigo Moor Hillmorton Primary School

Winner 5-6 years:Jeremy A Guide to Space Long Lawford Primary School
Winner 7-8 years: Darcey The Flying Monkey Southam Primary School
Winner 9-10 years: Martha Indigo Moor Hillmorton Primary School
Winner 11-12  years: Aaron The Pride that turned the Tide
Winner 13-14 years: Dexter Smoke in the Woods Bilton Secondary School

Winner of the Rugby Library Prize: Connie The Pizza who travelled the world in 80 days
Winner of the Rugby Library Prize: Ella The Pigeon Umbrella Willenhall Community Primary School

Winner of best blurb: Noah Apostol Gigantocat Devours the World Southam Primary School

Winner of the Mayoral Prize: Oliver The Big Potato Southam St. James
Mayor Maggie O'Rourke, Katie Boyce Visual Arts Officer, Phoebe Hilton Senior Learning & Engagement Officer and the overall winner of the book competition Martha. Martha designed the cover for Indigo Moor.  The judges loved the bright eye catching image, the engaging blurb and the suggested social media tags.   It was the complete package!
 
Aaron aged 11 Winner 
The Pride that turned the Tide
Long Lawford Primary School
 
Connie aged 9 Winner
The Pizza that travelled the world in 80 days
Abbey C of E School
Darcey aged 7 Winner
They Flying Monkey...
Southam Primary School
Dexter aged 13 Winner
Smoke in the Woods
Bilton Secondary School
Jeremy aged 6 Winner
A Guide to Space
Long Lawford Primary School
Martha aged 10 Winner
Indigo Moor
Hillmorton Primary School

Quentin Blake: Book Covers

10 February to 11 May 2024


This exhibition featured 60 of Blake’s book covers from the 1960s to the present: from mid-century Penguin paperbacks to finely-crafted special editions and family-friendly poetry books. First editions were shown alongside reproductions of original artwork from Blake’s archive that show how he combines typography, dynamic layouts and his unique way of drawing to create playful designs.

Each cover is a new challenge for Blake. He has to capture the essence of a story without giving away too much of the plot or the ending. His illustrations need to be carefully balanced with the title and suitable for the printing process that will be used. At the same time, Blake’s designs must be eye-catching and appealing to the changing tastes of different readers.

This exhibition featured reproduction illustrations courtesy of Quentin Blake’s archive.
Quentin Blake: Book Covers is a touring exhibition from Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration.

Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration website: www.qbcentre.org.uk
 
 Cover illustration for Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban © Quentin Blake 2017
Cover illustration for The Winter Sleepwalker by Joan Aiken © Quentin Blake 1994
Cover illustration for The Green Ship by Quentin Blake © Quentin Blake 1998
Selection of books published by Penguin. Cover illustrations © Quentin Blake 1961-1968 (photo by Justin Piperger)