News and Features
Circle Yuen Longlisted for the Klaus Flugge Prize 2026
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There are moments in publishing that feel quietly historic — the arrival of a new voice, a powerful story, and recognition that signals something special. This is one of those moments.
Graffeg are thrilled to announce that Circle Yuen’s debut picture book, Our Dance, has been longlisted for the Klaus Flugge Prize 2026.
A Prize That Champions New Talent
Launched in 2016, the Klaus Flugge Prize has become one of the most significant awards in children’s publishing. It celebrates the most promising and innovative new picture book illustrators, offering vital recognition and encouragement at the very start of their careers.
More than just an award, the prize shines a spotlight on the artistry of picture books — reminding us that illustration is not simply decorative, but deeply expressive, emotionally rich, and culturally important.To be longlisted is no small achievement. It places Circle Yuen among the most exciting emerging illustrators in the UK today.
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A Story That Breaks New Ground
Our Dance is not just visually striking — it is groundbreaking.
The book is the first UK picture book to introduce child contact centres to young readers. With remarkable sensitivity, it explores the experience of family separation through a lens of reassurance, warmth, and hope.
Rather than focusing on loss, Our Dance centres on resilience. It gently tells children that they are not alone, even when life feels uncertain. That love can continue. That connection can endure. That joy — like a shared dance — can still exist. -
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Inspired by Real Experience
What makes this recognition even more powerful is the deeply personal origin of the story. Circle Yuen drew on her own experiences of family separation in creating Our Dance. That authenticity gives the book emotional honesty and quiet strength.
The project was also developed in collaboration with the National Association of Child Contact Centres, ensuring the portrayal of contact centres is accurate, compassionate, and supportive for families navigating similar circumstances.
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Why This Matters
Children’s picture books can shape how young readers understand their world. By addressing a subject that is often difficult to talk about, Our Dance opens up conversations in homes, schools, and support settings across the UK.
Recognition from the Klaus Flugge Prize longlist is not just a milestone for Circle Yuen — it is a signal that stories about real-life family experiences belong in the heart of children’s literature.At its core, this is a story about hope. About connection. About finding rhythm again when life changes its steps.
And for a debut author-illustrator, it’s an extraordinary first dance.
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Circle Yuen
Our Dance
