NEWS FEATURE
and sociable birds, and I hope that the book might encourage readers to look at crows from a different viewpoint than the rather negative stereotype as portrayed in fairy tales, horror movies, and Hitchcock!”
The winners of the Carnegie Medals for Writing and Illustra- tion will each receive a specially-commissioned golden medal and a £5,000 Colin Mears Award cash prize.
Shadow judged
The winning authors and illustrators from left: Theo Parish, Margaret McDonald, Olivia Lomenech Gill and Nathanael Lessor.
it was my intention to bring into the light things that are often overlooked as a working class, disabled and first-generation university student, but mainly the difficulties of making your way through a world that is essentially not built for you.” For the illustration medal, the judges praised Olivia Lomenech
Gill’s “immersive artwork” for the sense of movement and “energy” it gives to crows and the “clever” use of “deliberately messy techniques” such as ink splats, torn notebook pages and water staining to give the birds a “playful” and “childlike quali- ty” which “links them to the reader”. Olivia, who will use her prize money on a project to support schools, education, and libraries in Palestine, said: “I have always had an immense respect for librarians and the vital work they do, so I cannot think of a greater honour than being selected for this award, and I am very grateful to the judges for choosing me as this year’s winner. Working on Clever Crow was a great opportunity to learn more about these very clever
The winners of the Shadowers’ Choice Medals – voted for and awarded by the children and young people – will also receive a golden medal and £500 to donate to a library of their choice. A selection of young shadow judges explained why they chose King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore (Bonnier Books UK), about a bully who befriends an unpopular class- mate. Aditi from shadowing group Bexley GS liked “the way the author has written about the challenges of being a teen and how to handle peer pressure,” while Mariam from Safa Shadowers found the central character’s transforma- tion “really captivating.” And Nyles from South Wolds Book Worms said the book “inspires readers to be honest about who they are and the choices that they make.” Nathanael Lessore, from south-east London, is one of eight children to French and Madagascan parents. He graduated with a Creative Writing degree that he thought would lead him to a career in marketing. He now writes novels that show life in south-east London as a funny, warm, adventurous world not often represented.
Young readers also chose author-illustrator Theo Parish’s Homebody for the illustration award. Theo Parish is an author and illustrator who lives in Norwich with their three cats, creating the kinds of stories they longed to see as a kid. And Homebody tells the story of Theo, a non-binary author-illustrator, who grew up in a household with a lov- ing family and relaxed gender roles. But the pressures of the outside world to fit into society’s expectations made life feel confusing.
Comments from the shadowers who voted for Homebody
included Jasmine, from shadowers group Rebel Readers, who said it was “a magical and powerful book” while Lacie-Mae, from KSA Book Wolves, liked the book’s “fun comic-like design” and the “unique” use of the colour palette of the trans flag throughout. Freya, from Loyal Judging Society, said the book could “help people who are struggling with their identity.”
For the second year in a row the awards ceremony, run by
CILIP, took place at the Cambridge Theatre, home of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s award-winning Matilda The Musical and the character of Matilda’s librarian Mrs Phelps welcomed the audience before the 2024 Carnegie Medal for Writing winner, and former Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho, took over as host for the event. Ros Harding, Chair of Judges for The Carnegies 2025, said: “Congratulations to the 2025 winning authors and illustra- tors and a huge thanks to the judging panel who give up so much time and energy for these awards. Thanks also to all the young readers who took part in the Shadowing programme and to the teachers and librarians who support them in dis- covering the very best of writing and illustration for young people.” IP
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