Scholastic New Zealand Award
for Best Children’s Book 2024

Finalist

Designer: Luke Kelly, illustrations by Gavin Bishop

Title: Patu
Publisher: Penguin Random House NZ
Format: 340 x 280mm, 64pp plus 3 gatefolds, hardback, printed on 140gsm woodfree. Spot UV on case and black ribbon.

Typography: Cover Type = Shakleton Regular (various sizes)
Body = Aesthet Nova Regular / italic / bold, 11.5pt on 15.5pt leading
Chapter headings = Shakleton Regular, 40pt
Subheadings: Shackleton Regular, 16pt on 18pt leading
Caption: Barlow Condensed Medium, 10pt on 12pt leading

Publisher's Brief
"To work closely with Gavin Bishop to create an informative and accessible book about an important part of New Zealand’s history. Clear typography was integrated with the illustrations, to create visually rich and varied spreads. Gatefolds were a great way to add drama and to give the opportunity to explain wars in detail."

Judges' comments A necessary addition to otherwise sparsely represented genre, serving to educate while being visually engaging. The boldness in the illustrations emphasise the scale and importance of re-telling Aotearoa’s 19th colonial history. The fold-out maps (gate-fold spreads) make for an interactive read with clear divisions of messages and roles in styles of illustration.