Scholastic New Zealand Award
for Best Children’s Book 2025
Joint Winners
Designer: Vida Kelly
Title: A Lot of Silly
Publisher: Gecko Press
Format: 254 x 190mm, 64pp, section sewn
Typography: Etna
Judges Comments From the offset, the exquisite, hand-drawn illustrations are so wonderfully ludicrous it will undoubtedly succeed in inviting all readers to enter the realm of the ridiculous. The quality of the print production uplifts this book into the gift category, as the durable paper stock and vintage colours appeal to a broad audience. It's one to treasure.
and
Designers: Te Kani Price & Sophie Hooper, Huia Publishers, illustrations by Zak Ātea
Title: The Dream Factory | Te Wheketere Moemoeā
Publisher: Huia Publishers
Format: 215 mm x 280 mm, 32pp, paperback. Spot UV applied to the byline and masthead for additional interest
Typography:
- Masthead: Sloke with alternates, True North Rough Dots
- Body: Gelica light 12.75pt 23.5pt
Judges Comments The colour palette, illustrations, and text makes the book feel whimsical and unfamiliar like the dreams coming from the dream factory. There is stunning detail in the end pages with illustrations of dreamers. Their brief that “the dream machine and overall aesthetic should feel foreign and familiar at the same time – similar to a dream, things you know but can’t quite place,” has been translated perfectly.
