Scholastic New Zealand Award
for Best Children’s Book 2019
Finalist
Designer: Vida Kelly
Title: Cook’s Cook: The Cook who Cooked for Captain Cook
Publisher: Gecko Press
Format: 245x 295mm, 40pp, hardback.
Judges’ comments: “Captain Cook’s journey to the South Pacific is viewed through a new lens – that of the ship’s cook. Collaboration between design and illustration is evident throughout the book, with the story being told on multiple levels, mixing together storytelling with objective non-fiction delivery of information – all wrapped up in the individual style of Gavin Bishop”
“Features Gavin Bishop’s inimitable signature illustration style. While this is a lovely book, it doesn’t quite compare with last year’s sensational Aotearoa. Good presentation of information in the pull boxes but I think this looks a bit too fusty for its intended audience.”
“Beautifully and intricately illustrated. Audience and content appropriate font selection which is used consistently throughout.”
“The story and illustrations beautifully capture the detail and below deck cook’s perspective of life on board, with a hint of the cook being a cheeky chappy. Vida Kelly’s design work is to bring one notch of formality to the spreads. The grid is there but doesn’t restrict. The well selected typeface just sets it far enough apart from the hand rendered type, with just a subtle point size, leading and line length to sit well, alongside Gavin Bishops work.”
