Wonder Judges

Penguin Random House Judges

As the brief states they want a striking cover with an imaginative concept with a strong use of typography whilst appealing to the broadest possible audience and show a good understanding of the marketplace 

Francesca Dow – Managing Director, Penguin Random House UK Children's

Francesca Dow runs Penguin Random House UK Children’s, which comprises Ladybird and Puffin, and the Random House Children’s publishing division. Penguin Random House UK Children’s is home to popular children’s authors and illustrators such as Roald Dahl, Jeff Kinney, Jacqueline Wilson, Quentin Blake, John Green, Terry Pratchett, Malorie Blackman, Tom Fletcher, Ed Vere and Shirley Hughes as well as hugely successful children's brands – Peter Rabbit, Peppa Pig, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Snowman and Dr Who.

‘Excellent design and illustration are absolutely crucial to the success of children's books,’ says Francesca Dow. ‘As the leading children’s publisher, we have always promoted great design and supported new illustrators and the Penguin Random House Student Design Award continues that tradition. We love working with talented new designers. New ideas, new skills are vital to our business.’

Anna Billson – Art Director, Penguin Random House UK Children’s

Anna graduated in Graphic Design from Middlesex Polytechnic, where she spent most of her time printmaking and producing hand-made books. After working in the newsroom at ITN for a couple of years she moved into publishing, where she was able to turn her love of design and her love of books into her dream career.

Anna joined Puffin as Deputy Art Director in 2002 from Orchard Books. Anna became Art Director of Puffin in 2003 and in 2011 took on the role of Art Director for Penguin Children’s. Following the creation of the Penguin Random House UK Children’s division, she is now responsible for the art direction of everything published on the combined children’s lists.

Anna leads a fabulously talented group of designers who work with a dazzling array of illustrators, designing for some of the best authors and the biggest brands in children’s publishing. Her teams have included designers who were recruited following their success in the Children’s Cover Award.

Guest Judges

Laura Ellen Anderson – Illustrator

Laura Ellen Anderson graduated in illustration from University College Falmouth and since then she has been lucky enough to work with many UK and US publishers on some wonderful books.

 Laura has illustrated a range of book covers such as Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Achingseries, The Amazing Maurice, Dodger and is currently illustrating the cover of Nation. Laura also illustrated the covers for the relaunch of Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five series, Cornelia Funke's Dragon Rider series and the most recent Dr Who book, The Secret of Vault 13, written by David Solomons.

The Amelia Fang series is Laura’s first fiction series as author and illustrator, which has been published in over 20 languages. The first book, Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball was Waterstones Book of the month for October 2017 and won the Leeds Book Award for the 7-9 category in 2018.

Laura is also the creator of the Evil Emperor Penguin comics, and her debut picture book I Don't Want Curly Hair is the first of a series of future I Don't Want... books published by Bloomsbury.

 When she’s not working, Laura loves creating 3D models, creating Harry Potter fan art, baking (and eating) and making ‘To Do’ lists. 

Jan Bielecki – Cover designer and Illustrator 

After a two year comics course in his native Sweden, Jan moved to London in 2008 to study at Central Saint Martins. After graduation he started working at Hot Key Books and went freelance three years later to divide his time between design and illustration. Jan has since worked on book covers for Walker Books, Bloomsbury, Faber & Faber, Egmont and others, but a personal milestone was working for a year on the Puffin fiction list at Penguin Random House. Today he is represented by Central Illustration Agency.