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Teacup by Rebecca Young & Matt Ottley
Judges' Comments
Rebecca Young’s sparely written, multifaceted tale of a young refugee enables Matt Ottley’s glorious, painterly oil illustrations to shine in their moving picture book Teacup. The child character has to find a new home, leaving with only a book, a bottle, a blanket and a teacup filled with earth. The sea voyage tests the boy immeasurably with its variable, often confronting, weather and empty horizons. But the natural elements of stars and clouds, as well as occasional interaction with whales and an albatross, also provide succour. When a seed sprouts in the boy’s teacup, the story becomes transcendent with hope and life.
The masterful illustrations transpose the reader both onto and above the boy’s small boat isolated on the sea. Painted textures denote storm and stillness. Ottley’s signature high-angled long shots effectively position the boy as vulnerable. These perspectives are interspersed with closer eye-level views to develop the reader’s relationship with the character. Many illustrations fill the double-page to emulate the large canvas of the open seas, while others are panel-strips representing growth over time. The pictures, words and talisman of Teacup create a powerful yet tender allegory.