Reinstate Kate Greenaway's name on CILIP illustration award, a statement by Dr Rose Roberto and Tamsin Roswell, petition creators

I can’t improve on the comments of the person who has set up this petition but only to add that it seems a curious decision to remove the name of a female illustrator in the title of a well established literary award. One could argue a dubious credit claiming by proxy. Poorly judged as those of us involved with children’s literature are confidently familiar with the current title and legacy of the woman to whom it belongs.

Named illustrators need to be given more prominence generally but it's disgraceful to remove the name of a woman - there are few enough women celebrated in any field

Insensitive, thoughtless decision

This was a key award which we honoured in all the libraries in which I worked. Her name must stay.

Restore the old name of the award. It's wrong to lose the name of an important illustrator..

Kate Greenaway has been synonymous with excellence in illustration for living memory. Renaming the medal betrays this legacy and undermines the achievements not only of Kate Greenaway but of past medal winners and the shared history of all children's illustrators - I believe it should be reinstated.

Librarians should have been consulted on this change. It was badly thought out and implemented.

I strongly support this petition. To rename such a long-standing award and lose all recognition for the outstanding portfolio of Kate Greenaway is a travesty.

Kate Greenaway is a recognised 'brand' in the industry. Female representation is vital in a male oriented world. While I acknowledge the need for more accessible representation for a global awareness, I am stunned that that an institution connected to Carnegie and its reputation would consider this a thoughtful change.

I agree wholeheartedly with this petition - to erase the association a pioneering and wonderful female illustrator from this prize is a mis-step. I hope her name can be re-instated.

This is beyond insensitive. If corporations wish to be seen as "generous" with their philanthropy, they should have the grace to keep the original name on an award like this.

Solidarity for illustrators and women in every profession

It's unacceptable for reasons that hardly need repeating to erase the name of Kate Greenaway, an accomplished and widely-respected artist, with the corporate 'Yoto Carnegie' brand. Please undo this bad decision.

It’s vital we remember women illustrators and writers, regressive to drop this award’s name and its reminder of the artist, someone foundational in children’s literature

It's important to remember Kate Greenaway, beautiful illustrator.

What an appalling decision! Those of us who work on women's history are mortified. Having spent along career researching women writers, publishers, printers and booksellers who 'disappeared' from history, it's grim to see this deliberate act of effacement. Shame on CILIP!

Representation matters. Reinstate Kate Greenaway's name.

This never should have been removed in the first place

The change is clunky and insensitive.

Agree, lets recognize the importance of illustrations and illustrators.