Tale of Titanic rescuers on esteemed shortlist

Published: 26 April 2023 at 09:35

An image from Rescuing Titanic, by Flora Delargy

Yoto Carnegies recognition for ARU Children’s Book Illustration graduate

A book exploring the story of the Carpathia, the small vessel responsible for saving the lives of hundreds of Titanic passengers, has propelled Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) graduate Flora Delargy onto the prestigious shortlist for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2023.

Flora, whose grandfather and great grandfather both worked in the Belfast shipyards where the Titanic was built, has written and illustrated Rescuing Titanic to engage young readers with a story often overshadowed by the tragedy of one of the worst seafaring disasters in history.

The 80-page book tells of the heroic acts performed by rescuers aboard the Carpathia, which led to 705 stranded Titanic passengers being hauled to safety. 

Rescuing Titanic is a debut book for Flora, a graduate from the MA Children’s Book Illustration course at ARU’s Cambridge School of Art, which was shortlisted for the 2022 Klaus Flugge Prize and lauded for its “exquisite artwork” in The Observer’s round-up of Best Picture Books.

Discussing her pride at the nomination, Flora said:

“To be shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration is such a huge honour. I am so pleased Rescuing Titanic is being recognised in this way. 

“The book was conceived during my final year of the MA Children’s Book Illustration. Without this wonderful course and its fantastic tutors, I don’t believe I would have the confidence to be writing and illustrating books today.”

 

Janet Noble, Chair of Judges for The Yoto Carnegies 2023, added:

“This year’s shortlists clearly demonstrate that authors, illustrators and publishers are continuing to create outstanding books for children and young people that represent a wide range of identities, helping to ensure the diversity of experiences across the UK is reflected. 

“Stories of bravery, compassion and community are told authentically and sensitively in a range of distinctive written and illustrative styles, with fantastic debuts taking pride of place alongside well-known names.”

 

The results will be announced at a ceremony hosted by former Children’s Laureate Lauren Child CBE at The Barbican on Wednesday, 21 June, with the winners each receiving £500 worth of books to donate to a library of their choice, a specially commissioned golden medal and a £5,000 cash prize.