Yesterday, Poonam Mistry, who illustrated the Agency’s first picture book, You’re Snug With Me, attended the Carnegie Ceremony 2019.
She was shortlisted for the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal at the CILIP Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Children’s Book Awards for her debut picture book, You’re Safe With Me, written by Chitra Soundar. The Awards are the UK’s oldest children’s book awards, presented and chosen by children’s librarians, and recognise outstanding writing and illustration in books for young people.
You’re Safe With Me, garnered a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, one of four starred reviews for the book.
When the moon rises high and the stars twinkle, it is bedtime for the baby animals of the Indian forest.
But tonight, when the skies turn dark and the night grows stormy, the little ones can’t sleep. SWISH-SWISH! CRACK-TRACK! FLASH-SNAP! goes the storm. Only Mama Elephant with her words of wisdom can reassure them, “You’re safe with me.”
The book has received some brilliant reviews since publication:
“A perfect bedtime picture book. A sleep-time staple for toddlers” The Guardian
“This really is a dazzling book, soothing for bedtimes but with really amazing artwork that twinkles just like the night sky. Wow” Phil & Charlotte May, Read It Daddy
“I bought this book because I absolutely loved the illustration but it isn’t just beautifully illustrated, it is so well told too. Perfect to read to young children before bedtime and to share.” 5 Star Reviewer
Poonam’s second book, You’re Snug With Me, written by Chitra Soundar, was chosen as one of Kirkus’ best books of 2018, and was published in November 2018. A third, You’re Strong With Me, will follow in October 2019.
Poonam is a freelance illustrator living in the UK. She graduated in 2010 with a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration at the University of Hertfordshire, and her style incorporates her love of nature and her Indian roots, exploring the relationships between pattern, shapes and colour.
We’re sure that this is the first of many ceremonies to come for Poonam.
Congratulations to the winner, Jackie Morris.
