COMICS - Early Reader

WINNER

Comment naissent les arbres (How Trees Are Born)

La Martinière Jeunesse
France
Text and Art by Charles Berbérian 

What the jury said:
The narrative of this age-transcending book interweaves contrasts like young and old, natural and human, darkness and light, and life and death, in black and white imagery lit up with flashes of colour. Created with meticulous care, the images may appear simple and natural, but they reflect the story’s focus on nature’s continuous evolution, the flow of life and time, identity, and the bond between humans and the planet. Readers are invited to consider the significance of appearances through dialogue between a mother and a son, exploring a forest and planting a tree. Excelling in a sense of wholeness and with flawlessly harmonious text and illustrations, this book on the cycle of life is further enhanced by comic book-inspired elements that evoke the vibrant realm of illustrated books.

SPECIAL MENTION

달리다 보면 (As You Drive) 

Woongjin ThinkBig
South Korea
Text and Art by Ji-an Kim 

What the jury said:
Following his satnav, Mr. Togo’s daily commute in his bright yellow car turns into an unexpectedly adventurous journey that reveals landscapes and astonishing sensations. The author’s inventive use of watercolour takes readers on a delicate, thrilling, and occasionally hilarious exploration, on pages that are consistently solid and flawlessly composed.

SPECIAL MENTION

호랭떡집 (Rice Cake House of a Tiger)

Sakyejul Publishing
South Korea
Text and Art by Seo Hyun 

What the jury said:
This story unfolds in a dizzying, almost surreal narrative about a tiger who runs a bakery. For the last order of the day, the tiger fields a unique request: to create a magnificent birthday cake for the King of Hell. The book is narrated with stylistic flair, painting vivid and striking pictures of underworld inhabitants. It takes readers on a delightful journey marked by hilarious, colourful, and visually astonishing elements. Evocative of a feverish and amusing dream, the narrative captivates readers from page one.