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Wimbledon graduate Mikey Please has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2025

Cover of the book with an illustration of trees framing the sides, a woman holding a mixing bowl and a small, green goblin-like creature standing next to her. Behind them is a black shape with eyes. The text reads: 'Rene and Glumfoot in: The Cafe at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please'
  • Written byEleanor Harvey
  • Published date 18 February 2025
Cover of the book with an illustration of trees framing the sides, a woman holding a mixing bowl and a small, green goblin-like creature standing next to her. Behind them is a black shape with eyes. The text reads: 'Rene and Glumfoot in: The Cafe at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please'
‘The Café at the Edge of the Woods’ by Mikey Please, nominated in the Illustrated Books category of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2025

Wimbledon College of Arts graduate Mikey Please has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2025. Mikey is nominated in the Illustrated Books category for his debut picture book, The Café at the Edge of the Woods, a charming tale set in a newly opened café next to an enchanted wood.

Mikey standing against a plain background. His arms are folded and he's smiling into the camera. He's wearing a white, short sleeved shirt with some flowers and birds embroidered onto the left hand side and the right sleeve.
Mikey Please © Karni Arieli

Mikey is a BAFTA-winning and OSCAR-nominated writer, director, animator and illustrator. He graduated from Wimbledon College of Arts in 2007 with a BA (Hons) in Technical Art & Special Effects (now BA (Hons) Art Direction and Visual Effects). His music videos and short films have garnered over 60 international awards; and in 2023 he was appointed as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Every year Waterstones’ expert booksellers vote for the books they believe are the very best in new children’s writing and illustration. Now in its 21st year, the prestigious prize champions the finest new talent in children’s writing and illustration. The overall winner and 3 category winners will be announced on Thursday 27 March 2025.

Digital text logo for the prize. 'Waterstones' is in white text at the top, below this 'Children's Book Prize' is in gold bigger font. Underneath in small white capitals, it says 'Championing new talent'.
Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2025
With the news of this nomination, I have been knocked, flabbergasted, to the floor. My favourite visual artists and storytellers are in the world of children’s picture books, and to have The Café at the Edge of the Woods singled out amidst all this talent is a tremendous honour. My secret hope is that, with its slightly longer than the average page count, the book might serve as a gateway into longer stories that keep kids reading. And with the mention of ‘miso paste’ I hope that in this story, there’s something for everyone.

— Mikey Please

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