Wombat Books Illustration Challenge
We're seeking original illustrations from Australian school-aged students (aged 5-18) to publish in a unique picture book by the team at Wombat Books.
The Challenge has been established in order to provide aspiring young illustrators with the opportunity to be published in a professionally produced children's book and gain an introduction into the world of illustrating.
Winning illustrations will be published in a new book which is due for release in 2024. Illustrators will receive two free copies of the book. They will also be acknowledged on the Wombat Books website. Judging decisions will be made by Wombat Books.
This is the sixth challenge Wombat Books has run. We want to create a unique and special picture book by Aussie children for everyone to treasure and have fun with.
2023/4 Challenge: Marsupials At Risk
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We want this book to be a real compilation of Aussie kids' creations!
Illustrate your picture on an A3 or A4 sheet (portrait). Space not required on full pages, we will use white area around the animal images to allow for the text.
General Information Below. Find out more here!
Entry Instructions
Please follow these for your entries to be considered for publication:
ENTRIES CLOSE 1 July 2024
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Choose one or multiple spreads to illustrate. Use an A4 (portrait) for individual pages or A3-size page (landscape) for each illustration spread. Each spread must have a separate illustration. Your page may be a single or double page, but ensure it matches and expands creatively on the text.
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The fee to enter this year is a previous purchase of one of our other illustration challenges. You must include in your entry a copy of the purchase receipt for one of our two previous Illustration Challenge books. You can buy Zoo Ball, Around Australian in 30 places and Can I Sleep Tomorrow? online or ask for either at your local bookstore.
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All submissions must come via post to our address: PO Box 302 Chinchilla 4413.
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Please include an entry form with each submission. Access this here.
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Please do not bend, fold or crinkle your illustration. It unfortunately cannot be considered for publication if it is folded. We do accept high-resolution photocopies of the original illustration if you want to keep your original safe.
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Please put your name in pencil on the back of your illustration.
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If you are a teacher submitting on behalf of students, it is still required that full details are provided for any student entering.
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You may submit multiple illustrations. You are not required to purchase more than one copy of our Illustration Challenge books to do so.
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Unfortunately we are unable to send entries back after judging. We’ll find a special place in our Wombat office for them.
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Entries must be post marked by 1st July 2024
Need some inspiration? Check out our some of our illustrated picture books
FAQS
1. Why do I have to purchase a copy of Can I Sleep Now? or Zoo Ball or Around Australia in 30 Places?
The cost of running the Illustration Challenge is quite a lot. We do not want to charge an entry fee. By making it a requirement to purchase our previous amazing Illustration Challenge books, we hope to inspire creativity for the kids entering and also show the production quality of previous challenges. You can also see a bit of how we did the layout so you can understand what requirements are expected of where and how you draw your picture.
2. Will an author tour with the book?
Winning students can apply for their school to host a Skype publishing Q&A session with R. A. Stephens. If you would like to meet Aleesah Darlison, who wrote Zoo Ball, she is available as a school speaker. Get in touch at www.aleesahdarlison.com
3. What if I have more questions?
The best way to follow our competitions or opportunities for kids is to join the Wombat Books Competitions and Challenges Facebook Group. Click here to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2739813832718577/
4. What if I'm a teacher and many kids in my class want to enter the Illustration Challenge?
Wombat Books offers schools an easy way to enter through a purchase of previous books published by Wombat Books as inspiration. For any teacher wanting to enter their school or class in the Challenge, please email competitions@wombatbooks.com.au for more information.
Schools can purchase a Wombat Books book and information pack to enter as many students as they like into the competition. The book pack will include books to the value of more than $100 plus there will be printed entry forms and a poster to inspire interest at your school. These book packs can be bought anytime while the promotion is open.
Each School Book Entry Pack will be $99.95 and all students can enter from your school without an individual purchase. Or you can just order
School Pack options here
Can I Sleep Tomorrow?
Colour for Curlews
Around Australia in 30 Places
Boondaburra
Puggle's Problem
Something Broken, Something Fixed
Screen Free!
Jack and Mia
Lily's Balloon
Annabel's Dance
Amira's Magpie
For all enquiries contact:
Wombat Books
Email: website@wombatrhiza.com.au
For the Terms and Conditions of this challenge, you can find them here