The Heart, Sea Monsters and Silkmonkey’s Laughter have been selected for the Most Beautiful Books 2019 collection by the Finnish Book Art Committee.
The Heart by Malin Kivelä was selected as one of the most beautiful books of 2019 in the category of fiction. The selection committee complimented The Heart as a “charming and original pear of literature” with “beautiful details in binding and quality of materials.” The book’s graphic design is by Ulla Donner, printed by Nord Print.
Both Sea Monsters by Laura Ruohonen and Erika Kallasmaa and Silkmonkey’s Laughter by Linda Bondestam and Annika Sandelin were selected as one the most beautiful books in the category of children’s books.
Sea Monsters was praised as a “magnificent flip book” with “delightfully handwritten text” and “reminiscent of Eric Carle.” The book offers readers the joy of assembling underwater creatures “thanks to the good visibility of the exquisite characters.” The book’s graphic design and illustration are by Erika Kallasmaa, printed by Gryf Direct.
The selection committee praised the cover of Silkmonkey’s Laughter as “black calico spine and silver foil title invite to take a peek into.” Also, the “narrative text and illustrations combine naturally” in the storybook and the “grand, large scale landscape pictures glow bright and deep.” The book’s graphic design and illustration are by Linda Bondestam, printed by Livonia print.
The aim of the annual competition, organized by the Finnish Book Art Committee, is to draw attention to books as artistic entities – where form and content are in harmony. In addition to classical printing skills both fresh and new creative solutions are appreciated. This year 204 books were evaluated and all in all 29 books were selected for the Most Beautiful Books collection. Nine books were awarded the Most Successful Covers for Book Art.
For more details of all awarded beauties: http://www.kauneimmatkirjat.