Scholastic New Zealand Award
for Best Children’s Book 2024
Finalist
Designer: Cat Taylor, illustrations by Vasanti Unka
Title: Lucy and the Dark
Publisher: Penguin Random House NZ
Format: 285 x 240mm, 32pp, paperback, section sewn. Text printed 4c x 4c on wood free paper. Cover printed 4cx 1c on 350gsm 2-sided artcard with matt lamination and glow-in-the-dark spot UV.
Typography: Primary/headline font: A Secret Garden
H2: Tortoise And Deer (varying sizes)
Body copy font: Sofia Pro.
"The cover glow-in-the-dark spot UV creates texture and introduces new elements to the illustration in the dark."
Judges' comments Lucy and the Dark feels like it's going to be mysterious and scary — instead it's totally charming! Every element of the design is confident and clever — excellent typographic detailing working seamlessly with the illustrative content, high-quality printing specs and oozing charm. The design uses darkness to its advantage, playfully employing glow-in-the-dark textures, transforming from light to dark in a captivating way. A total delight.
