Scholastic New Zealand Award
for Best Children’s Book 2023
Finalist
Designer: Carla Sy, Penguin Random House, illustrated by Sarah Wilkins
Title: Crane Guy
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Format: 308 x 233mm, 32pp, paperback, smyth sewn, cover stock is 400 gsm art card, with spot UV embellishing to enhance the geometric nature of Sarah’s buildings.
Typography: Le Havre
"Le Havre is a geometric sans serif, and inspired by ‘the golden era of the passenger ship’ which felt fitting for the story’s coastal/seascape setting and adding to the splash of art deco in Sarah’s illustration style.
Crane Guy is a picture book intended for preschool children in that stage of obsession with vehicles and construction – and ‘up high’ places. The story incorporates a rhyming game of I Spy, helping ABC learners with letter and word recognition. Sarah’s illustration style is geometric in style with hints of art deco. The publisher’s vision was for the design, layout and typeface to harmonise with the illustration style and echo these characteristics."
Judges’ comments Crane Guy holds an expert eye on spacing and perspective displaying the play between concrete and nature in a bustling city. Angular lines give structure, whilst the readers eye is drawn to swoop like the seagulls over each new page. White space holds the clear lettering and the styles of each hero letter are attractive fun to find. The extra thick weight of the cover is sturdy and lovely to hold.
A ‘60s nostalgia washed over me when I picked up this book. The dynamic illustrations carry a sense of simpler times and out-of-register trico-printing on pulpy paper. The playful typography pairs beautifully and energetically with the illustrations. I’m hooked!
