Scholastic New Zealand Award
for Best Children’s Book 2023

Finalist

Designer: Minky Stapleton

Title: Roo and Vladimir (an unlikely friendship)
Publisher: Scholastic New Zealand
Format: 250 x 240mm, 32pp, paperback, smyth sewn.
Typography: RooToo and RooVar fonts designed by Minky Stapleton. Minky was the designer, author and illustrator.

Judges’ comments Roo and Vladimir’s active illustrations and variations in size in the handcrafted font add to the dynamics of reading aloud in this sweet picture book. The variation of colour and spacing between pages aid the narrative and gives different pops of colour for the reader. The GIANT smile is a favourite page, giving humour to an unlikely hero.

The distinctive illustrations combine an original style with a nostalgic 50s colour palette. The hand-rendered typography combines seamlessly with the illustrations, often adding energy and direction. The story is beautifully paced with illustrative vignettes and type on white space alternating with full-bleed images. The colour is deftly handled – sometimes bright and energetic, and other times reduced to a sombre limited palette.