Key Colours Competition – Regulations 2026

International Award for the best Picture book concept

A professional jury will judge the artistic, literary and child-oriented qualities of the works. The winner receives 7.500 euro and the winning work will be published by Clavis Publishing. Works which have not been awarded with the first prize may also be considered for publication by Clavis. The award and the resulting picture books will be largely discussed in the press and at book fairs abroad. For many illustrators this unique award is the start of a successful international career.

  • Each illustrator may participate in the contest, notwithstanding nationality, language or experience. Participation of groups is allowed as well. The submitted projects have to meet the requirements mentioned in the technical data.

  • The following individuals are excluded from participation: members of the jury, staff of Clavis Publishing and the blood relations and in-laws of the members of the jury up to the second degree.

  • The book is intended for children of the age from 2 to 7 years old. Only a children’s book can therefore be eligible for award.

  • By the participation in the contest the illustrators and/or authors guarantee that the submitted work is fully original and was never published before in any form whatsoever. They also guarantee that they have the full copyright on it and that they can transfer the full rights of first publication to Clavis Publishing.

  • The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools for the creation of story content, illustrations, or preliminary sketches is strictly prohibited. Entries found to contain any material (text or visual) produced or significantly modified by AI tools will be disqualified from the competition without exception. Participants must be able to provide evidence of their creative process upon request. This clause is intended to protect the integrity of the competition and to support authentic, human creativity in children’s literature and illustration.  

  • The winner receives 7.500 euro. The jury may however come to the conclusion that no contribution has sufficient qualities to be eligible for award.

  • The winning work will be published by Clavis Publishing, upon signing a publishing contract. Works which are not awarded with the first prize can also be recommended for publishing to Clavis Publishing by the jury.

  • The competing works should be sent digital.

  • The regulations can be consulted at www.keycolours.com. The terms of entry ends on July 26th, 2026.

  • Text must be sent in the original language. If the original language is not the Dutch, French, English or German language, a translation in one of those four languages should be added.

  • Each presented work must have a title, which must be mentioned explicitly. The final title will be defined in consultation with the author.

  • The submitted works will be judged by a jury of children’s books experts, including an illustrator and the winner of the previous edition. The winner of this edition will become member of the jury for the next edition.

  • The decision of the jury will be announced in September 2026.

  • Illustrators will retain and safeguard a copy of all submitted materials at all times.

  • The jury decides on all cases where the regulations could have left some doubts. No correspondence will be conducted on the decisions taken. They are irrevocable.

Digital entry

Use the form on the website www.keycolours.com to submit your work. Please make sure the files you upload contain the following requirements:

  1. A children’s story for ages 2 to 7, written on a max of 4 pages, divided into text blocks.

  2. A full-size mockup with all the sketches or plates of the book as they will be worked out afterwards. The text blocks are indicated on all these pages. You may put the text in the mockup.

  3. Three of the above-mentioned plates fully worked out in color on at least 1 entire page. The chosen technique is free. The fully elaborated plates may be integrated in the mockup.

  4. Name your files using the following format: your family name/first name + your second given name + the title of the work+ the file number/ total number of files.                                            E.g. Williams_John_A_Friend_of_Mouse_1/3

Format of the book

You choose one of the following usual formats:

  • 250 x 260 mm

  • 290 x 210 mm (portrait or landscape)

  • 235 x 325 mm

The story will be told in exactly 24 pages (cover, end paper and title page not included), starting on the left page. The original drawings should be full size, with a bleed of 5 mm.

The jury judges:

  • The literary and child oriented qualities of the story.

  • The bringing into vision of the story.

  • The artistic qualities of the illustrations.