ORANGE illustrator Freya Blackwood has continued to impress book lovers across the nation, taking out three gongs at the prestigious Children’s Book Council of Australia awards.
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Ms Blackwood was the winner of the younger readers category for The Cleo Stories, a collaboration with Libby Gleeson, winner of the early childhood category for Go to Sleep, Jessie!, another collaboration with Gleeson, and winner of the picture book category for My Two Blankets with Irena Kobald.
It is the first time in the awards’ 69-year history an author or illustrator has taken out three awards in a year.
Ms Blackwood said she was honoured to to be recognised for three separate works, especially the council’s longest-running award, the picture book award.
“It’s a special award, and it’s an award won by many people I’ve looked up to,” she said.
While she does not have a favourite book, Ms Blackwood said she was especially proud of My Two Blankets, which tells the story of a refugee recently arrived in Australia who is unable to speak English.
“My Two Blankets was more challenging than usual. It deals with the metaphorical, so there was a lot of visual translation that went on,” Ms Blackwood said.
“[The book is] something that encourages kindness, and kindness is at the root of all teaching.”
She said her partnership with Libby Gleeson, which spans several years and several books, was one of mutual respect and friendship.
“I know Libby Gleeson is always happy for me to come up with my own ideas, even though the stories can be quite personal,” Ms Blackwood said.
alexandra.king@fairfaxmedia.com.au