"Riotously colourful and the creator of immersive worlds that inspire imagination" is how the judges of this year's Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award describe the winner, new Arts Laureate Vasanti Unka. The Tamaki Makaurau based designer, writer and illustrator has had a big year - her picture book I Am the Universe recently won the 2021 NZ Booklovers Award for Best Children's Book. She's also won Awards for The Boring Book, Stripes! No, Spots and Who Stole the Rainbow? While she's illustrated for children's authors including Kyle Mewburn's multi-award winning book Hill & Hole, she's now focussed on both writing and illustrating her own books.