'The Owl who chased the Moon' is about an owl who falls in love with the moon

A University of the West of England (UWE) student has won the Macmillan Prize of Children's Book Illustration.

Fridtjof Olsen won the prize for the drawings in his book The Owl who chased the Moon.

The award is given to work which is said to be an original contribution, and which children will enjoy.

Fridtjof said: "It's great to receive this recognition. My book is fairly unconventional and I think this is what the judges liked."

We were impressed by the originality of Fridtjof's illustration Emma Hopkin

It is the third time in the past four years that UWE has had a student win one of the top three prizes.

"I actually submitted two books for this competition. I think this impressed the judges as they could see that I'm capable of adapting my language to a range of problems," added Fridtjof Olsen.

"I was also very surprised to win because my book has no text. The story is designed to be read by a parent to their child through using the illustrations to guide the story so the possibilities for imaginative story telling are endless.

Emma Hopkin, from Macmillan Children's Books, was one of the judges. She said: "We were impressed by the originality of Fridtjof's illustration.

"His accomplished drawing, confident use of colour and sense of composition is striking. He is able to translate an extraordinary imagination into compelling images, full of atmosphere and interest, which brilliantly convey the story he has to tell."

The Owl who chased the Moon is about a little owl whose world is filled with owls. The little owl falls in love with the moon so he decides to go and visit.

Fridtjof said: "There is a moral in the story in that you get to learn that when other places seem more beautiful it is often necessary to travel in order to see and understand the beauty of the place you come from."

The prizes will be presented at a special ceremony on 11 May 2009.