Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s “beautiful” picture book, Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin, was crowned the winner of this category. Our panel praised the duo’s tale of a plucky penguin for its “celebration of conservation” and “effortless rhyming” narrative.

Our panel “loved the campaign story” that was executed with “such care and love”. Alison Green Books pivoted their whole strategy in the wake of Donaldson’s loss of her husband and “took care of someone who is a treasure to the industry”, stated one judge. 

The publisher partnered with UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, Edinburgh Zoo and The One Show, while Scheffler dedicated swathes of his time to interviews. However, it was a smaller event that captured our panel’s attention: an intimate reading event with Donaldson and Scheffler at Steyning Bookshop. Our panel agreed that Jonty Gentoo is “flawless” and the win is a fitting “acknowledgement of an amazing author and illustrator duo”.