At a special reception on April 19, legendary children's publisher Klaus Flugge was honored with the London Book Fair's Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes “an individual who has made a truly significant mark in the sphere of global publishing." The award was presented to Flugge by his longtime friend Ian Hudson, managing director of Bloomsbury Press.
"Klaus has an amazing eye for illustration and a wonderful nose for a great story, which has brought together throughout his career to publish useful books that have sold the world over," Hudson said in his remarks before presenting the award to Flugge. "I know I speak for many in this audience when I say you are a great friend to so many of us, and we've learned so much from you. Your books have enriched young lives and ignited a lifelong love of reading in so many. This lifetime achievement award is so richly deserved."
Flugge founded Andersen Press in the U.K. in fall 1976, named after Hans Christian Andersen, going on to publish acclaimed author-illustrators including Sir Quentin Blake, Michael Foreman, Satoshi Kitamura, David McKee, Chris Riddell, Tony Ross, and Max Velthuijs.
In 1999, he was the first publisher to receive the Eleanor Farjeon Award for his outstanding contribution to children’s books, and in 2010 he became the first publisher to be awarded Honorary Membership of the Youth Libraries Group. In 2013 Flugge was made an honorary citizen of the city of Bologna in recognition of his commitment to children’s books abroad.
Flugge celebrated the 40th anniversary of Andersen Press in 2016 by establishing the Klaus Flugge Award, which is given annually to the most promising and exciting newcomer to children’s picture book illustration.
In brief remarks, Flugge said he was "honored and stunned" to receive the award. "And I say thank you to all these people I've known over these years."
