Shrewsbury Illustrator Part of Award-Winning Book-of-the-Year Team

Alice Cao, an illustrator based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, has earned a Book of the Year prize for her contributions to a limited-edition version of the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf.

Cao was part of a team recognized at the annual British Book Design & Production Awards for the creation of Beowulf: The Morris Edition, published by Books Illustrated.

The publication won in the Excellence in Print Production category at an awards ceremony held in London on April 14, 2026.

The project serves as a tribute to an edition involving the celebrated artist William Morris. The resulting work is highly exclusive, with a limited print run of 308 copies.

A defining feature of the edition is the use of letterpress printing. This centuries-old technique produces raised text and illustrations, a method that provides a tactile quality to the final product.

Cao contributed 18 new illustrations to the volume, which was bound in Ludlow.

The judges for the competition praised the work for its impact despite its size, stating that this book punches well above its weight given its small format.

The panel specifically highlighted the relationship between the new artwork and the physical construction of the book.

The newly commissioned illustrations chime perfectly with the traditional elements, and the quarterbound finish makes this a book to treasure for years.

British Book Design & Production Awards Judges

Beyond the aesthetic appeal, the award recognizes the preservation of artisanal printing methods that are increasingly rare in the United Kingdom.

With traditional creative and artisanal activities under pressure like never before, and with letterpress printing classified as endangered in the UK by the Heritage Crafts Association, this book is a timely reminder of the importance and beauty of hand-printed works.

British Book Design & Production Awards Judges

Reflecting on the recognition, Cao described the experience as surreal.

Winning this award feels quite surreal. I would probably have worn a more practical outfit had I thought I’d have to walk up the stage at any point, Cao said.

Cao’s professional path included studying illustration at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge before collaborating on projects with Books Illustrated.

The illustrator originally emigrated to the United Kingdom from Vietnam at the age of 16.