NEW YORK, NY (October 29, 2021)—Little, Brown Books for Young Readers has selected artist Cathy Wu as the winner of the fourth annual Little, Brown Emerging Artist Award. This initiative seeks promising new illustration talent and encourages the development of high-quality picture books that resonate with readers of diverse backgrounds and experiences. The program also provides valuable mentorship by an acclaimed illustrator and a group of children’s book professionals. This year’s judge and mentor was celebrated Caldecott Honoree and Coretta Scott King–John Steptoe Award for New Talent winner Oge Mora.
The fourth annual winner Cathy Wu is a Chinese American illustrator based in Seattle, Washington. Her submission, Popo and Mei Mei, was inspired by her own relationship with her grandma, who helped raise her while both of her parents worked. A lot of Cathy’s time growing up was spent doing everyday things with Popo, like walking to and from school, going to the beach, and—of course—eating together. Her story celebrates the loving and joyful friendship they shared despite the gaps in culture, language, and generation.
Cathy graduated from the University of Washington, where she studied visual communication design. She now works as a freelance illustrator and runs her own business, itscathywu, creating illustrated greeting cards and paper goods.
Qualifying submissions for the award draw from the rich cultural experiences of this country—whether they manifest in character, theme, setting, or plot, or are derived simply from the artist’s own experience of identity. Diversity includes literal or metaphorical inclusion of characters of underrepresented ethnicity, religious background, gender identity, class, mental or physical disability, or of any other nondominant population.
The individual who submits the most accomplished picture book idea, in the form of a mock-up, is honored with a mentorship with a professional children’s book design and editorial team and distinguished artist mentor. The winner will also have his or her submission reviewed by the Little, Brown Books for Young Readers editorial team for possible future publication. Additional prizing for the Emerging Artist Award includes an American Express Gift Card in the amount of $1,500 and a portfolio review by the artist mentor and LBYR publishing staff.
Previous winners include Morgan Leung, Chiao-Chih Su, and Jin Xiaojing, whose debut picture book, I Miss My Grandpa, went on to be named a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book in 2019.
Artists must be previously unpublished and not currently represented by a publishing agent. In March of each year, one winner will be selected by a panel of three representatives from the Little, Brown Books for Young Readers editorial team along with an artist mentor. Submissions are judged based on the quality of their text, art, and storytelling; the incorporation of diversity; and the originality and creativity of their work. For more information and to enter, artists may visit LBArtistAward.com.