The work of Anglia Ruskin University's MA Children's Book Illustration students will be showcased in a special exhibition at Ruskin Gallery from 27 February to 14 March.

In a year that has seen the internationally-renowned course shortlisted for a Times Higher Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Arts, several of the 40 graduating students have already been snapped up by publishers.

Mike Mason's Little Red Riding Hood pop-up book (Hodder) has already been sold to 19 countries, and other students (including Suzanne Barton, Courtney Dicmas and Jemima Sharpe) will see their books released over the coming months.

Sharpe was awarded this year's Sebastian Walker Award for the Most Promising Student and received a cheque for £500, presented by the late Sebastian Walker's sister, Mirabel Cecil, when the MA exhibition went on show last month at the Foyle's bookshop in London. Her MA project will now be considered on a first option basis by Walker Books.

Sharpe said: "I am over the moon to win the Sebastian Walker Award. It is such an honour to have been recognised by Walker Books. It is particularly special to have received the award from Mirabel Cecil, and it was fantastic to meet her and hear her kind words of support.

"Walker Books are publishing some of the most inspiring books in the market at the moment - I'm particularly a fan of Jon Klassen and Birgitta Sif."

Further honours that came the way of students and graduates over the last year include winning the Macmillan Prize for Children's Picturebook Illustration and The Penguin Design Awards, as well as making the shortlist for the Waterstones Children's Picturebook of the Year.

The exhibition will also include an after-school story session on Thursday 28 February from 4-5pm. The workshop, suitable for ages 4-8, is inspired by the work in the exhibition, and will include story-telling and sketch-book making. No booking is necessary.

Please click images to enlarge. For more examples of the students' work please visit the MA CBI Show website. More information on the exhibition can be found on the Ruskin Gallery website.

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