illo at the Jhalak Prize awards 2025

We had a fantastic time at the Jhalak Prize awards event held at the British Library this month.

It was an honour to hear the prize's director Sunny Singh, the judges, and the artists from the residency speak about their work and the incredible titles included in the shortlist.

Hoang Giang's Flower Block, written by Lanisha Butterfield and published by Puffin, featured as the only picture book in the Children’s and YA shortlist; thanks to Keren Greenfeld and Eleanor Farmer. SUPER proud!

The judges for the Jhalak Prize 2025 were Sareeta Domingo, Taran N Khan and Yepoka Yeebo for the Prose Prize. The Children's and YA Prize was judged by Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Hiba Noor Khan and Alom Shaha. The judges for the Poetry Prize were Jason Allen-Paisant, Malika Booker and Will Harris.

First awarded in March 2017, the Jhalak Prize seeks to celebrate books by writers of colour in the UK and Ireland. In 2020, the single award was bifurcated to create a dedicated Jhalak Children’s and YA Prize. From 2024, the Jhalak Poetry Prize has been added to its awards portfolio.

The Jhalak Children’s and YA Prize accepts books for children, teens and young adults, including picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, poetry, non-fiction and all other genres by writers of colour and aimed at younger readers. The Prize annually awards £1,000 to each winner along with a unique work of art created by artists chosen for the annual Jhalak Art Residency.

If you'd like to work with Hoang Giang, please contact: [email protected].

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