The Plum Awards

In April/May 2020, The Plum Agency ran their second Plum Awards competition. The brief was to reimagine Mary Poppins during the pandemic, using a full-colour book cover and two interior spreads. I was very excited to win 3rd place, out of more than 400 entries!

I based my illustrations on the idea that lockdown is enforced just as two children move in together as soon-to-be step-siblings. Their (recently engaged) parents met at work, at the local hospital. As their parents work long hours on a COVID ward and the children must stay at home, they’re homeschooled and cared for by their new nanny, Mary Poppins. Lots of adventures ensue without leaving home (including shrinking down and going on a back garden safari!) which help the kids adjust to this strange new world of quarantine, but also their new life as part of a new family. They learn what it means to be a brother/sister and gain trust in one another, united by their magical adventures, but also mutual concern for their parents/missing their school friends/missing their old homes etc.