Do you have a set routine when you are working on a book or do you only sit down to work when the inspiration hits you? What medium do you use to create your pictures?
Do you have any pets? What would be your ideal way to spend a day off from illustrating? Who are your favourite illustrators?
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You write and illustrate your books for Little Tiger Press. What comes first, the words or the pictures? Do you enjoy doing one more than the other? Do you have a special place where you work – a studio or office – or can you work anywhere?
Do you let your children look at your books while you are working on them? Do they tell you what they like about them or what they think you should change? After working in the music industry and creating designs for products, how did you become interested in storytelling? What is the perfect way to spend a day off from writing?
See details of Liz’s books: Bored Bill has his own activity page. Click here to go there now. |
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Have you always wanted to illustrate children’s books? What made you decide to pursue this as a career? What role did books play in your childhood? What were some of your favourites?
What is the perfect way to spend a day off?
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In a conversation with Catherine, we asked her about her work, her influences and The Big Picture campaign. How does it feel to be recognised as one of the talked-about names in picture books at such a vibrant time in the industry? This award highlights some of the best illustrators to be published in recent years. Of your peers, whose work do you particularly admire? What role did books play in your childhood? What were some of your favourites?
When did it first hit you that your success was growing and people were really beginning to notice your work? What comes first when you’re working on a book: words or pictures? When you were working on AUGUSTUS AND HIS SMILE you went to sketch tigers in London Zoo. Where did you find a hare to sketch when you were working on HARRIS FINDS HIS FEET? Are you pleased to be acting as an ambassador for The Big Picture? Do you think the campaign will have a big impact? See details of Catherine’s books: IRIS AND ISAAC
Augustus has his own activity page.
Click here to go there now. |
What was your dream job when you were a child? Have you always wanted to be a writer? What was your favourite book as a child? ME AND MY MUM is a beautiful story about the bond between mother and child. Did you enjoy sharing stories with your children when they were younger? Are they fans of your books? Are your stories completely imagined or do you take inspiration from your own experiences? What is the best thing about writing stories for children? Is there a particular part of the process you find most enjoyable? Do you look forward to seeing the artwork for your books? Is it strange having someone else illustrating your text? When you are working on a book, do you have a set routine? Is there a special place where you find it easier to concentrate?
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Well, I do trump a lot, but I certainly don’t eat my own bogeys, or anybody else’s for that matter!
When
did you decide to become an illustrator? What
do you enjoy most about writing and illustrating? What
is your favourite children’s book? Are
there any more Bertie books planned? What
inspires and influences you in your writing and illustrating?
Dirty Bertie has his own activity page. Click here to go there now. See
details of POOH! IS THAT YOU, BERTIE? or DIRTY BERTIE, |
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Hilary Robinson Hilary Robinson was born in Devon and brought up in Nigeria and West Yorkshire. She currently works as a Producer for BBC Radio 2, and occasionally writes on educational and health matters for broadsheets and specialist press. She is the author of many children’s books including the Princess series for Little Tiger Press. Hilary lives in North Yorkshire with her family, and enjoys sport, music, art and writing. |
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What would you do if you got the chance to be a princess for a day? Lucy and Princess Isabella are pen pals. Did you have a pen pal when you were younger, or do you have one now? What did you like most about writing about Lucy and Princess Isabella in the PRINCESS’S SECRET LETTERS and the PRINCESS’S SECRET SLEEPOVER? Do you look forward to seeing how an illustrator has interpreted your story? What would be your ideal way to spend a day off from writing children’s books? What is the best thing about writing books for children? What was your favourite book as a child, and has it influenced your work as an author? Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?
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In your book, THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas for Millicent Mouse without some very special things. What is your favourite thing about Christmas?
What medium do you use to create your illustrations? When you read a story, do you immediately begin to picture the illustrations, or do you have to think long and hard about it?
Are there any other illustrators you particularly admire or find inspirational? Do you have any tips for budding illustrators? Gavin Scott is the illustrator of CUDDLE BEAR, BRAVE LITTLE PENGUIN, |
Do you prefer writing or drawing for children’s books? Having been an illustrator for so long, do you find it odd to see another artist’s interpretation of your ideas? What are your habits when you are working on a book? Do you have a very set routine or will you only sit down to work when the inspiration hits? Do you have anyone particular in mind when you write or draw? Do you have a set of victims that you test out your latest work on?
Do you have any advice for anyone who’d like to embark upon a career in writing and illustrating children’s picture books? Which is your favourite of your stories to read aloud?
click on an image to see details of the book.
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You have been working in children’s publishing for many years, but have only recently begun writing books. What made you decide to try your hand at it? How do you come up with the concepts for your books? Are they influenced by your hobbies? Have you ever found buried treasure on one of your diving expeditions?
Paper engineering seems to be quite a specialised skill. Is this something you studied in college or are you self-taught? What was your favourite book as a child? Was it the words or the pictures that appealed to you most? Are you influenced most by art and design outside the children’s book world, or are there particular authors or illustrators that influence you? What do you enjoy most about creating books for children? If you weren’t an author and designer, what else would you be?
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How do you relax when you’re not working? If you weren’t a children’s book illustrator, what would you be doing? Mike is the illustrator of SILLY BARNEY!, WHAT’S MORE SCARY THAN A SHARK?, |
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Christmas is my favourite time of year. How about you? What do you like best about Christmas? Why did you decide to write a book about Christmas? Do you put up lots of decorations in your house? My favourite Christmas present was a stripy scarf. What is the best Christmas present you have ever received? What is your favourite Christmas song? My friends, the Penguins, are really good at ice-skating – do you like ice-skating? Do you have a favourite Christmas book?
Other titles illustrated by Jack Tickle include: FUZZY WUZZY BUGS, THE VERY GREEDY BEE, INCY WINCY SPIDER, THE TEENY WEENY TADPOLE, THE VERY SLEEPY SLOTH, THE VERY LAZY LADYBIRD andTHE CRUNCHING MUNCHING CATERPILLAR |
The character Sassoon featured in one of my third year university projects. During the development of CAN YOU SEE SASSOON? we went through several versions of the book but nothing quite worked. We spread out all of the Sassoon drawings I had produced over the previous year and found one where he was hiding in a picnic. He looked rather mischievous and sneaky. The book emerged from that. Do you have a set routine when you are working on a book or do you only sit down to work when the inspiration hits you?
What medium do you use to create your pictures? What do you like to do when you’re not working? If you weren’t an illustrator, what do you think you would be?
What tips would you give to any aspiring illustrators who are just starting out or looking for work?
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What
gave you the idea to write a book about an eccentric crocodile? What
is the fantastic Mr Wani’s funniest characteristic?
What
do you enjoy most about writing and illustrating children’s books? When you are beginning a new book, do you write the story or draw the illustrations first? When
did you decide you wanted to be an illustrator? What
was your favourite book when you were a child? What
medium do you use to create your pictures? Do
you have any tips for an aspiring illustrator? What
inspires you in your work? How did it feel to win the Best New Illustrator Award in the Booktrust Early Years Award 2005? Do you enjoy receiving letters/fan-mail from your readers?
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In Icky Little Duckling, Mr Rabbit likes to have everything just so. Is your working style very neat like Mr Rabbit, or paint-all-over-the-place like Little Duckling?
Kids can be the toughest critics. Do your own children offer criticism on your work? The majority of your characters are animals, do you have any pets which act as models for your work? What medium do you use to create your illustrations?
Do you have a set routine when you are working on a book? Do you have any tips for aspiring illustrators?
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Where did you get the idea for a knitting-obsessed mouse in NOODLE’S KNITTING? Are you a knitter yourself?
Knitting has seen a recent resurgence in popularity, why do you think this is? You previously worked as a primary school teacher, but have you always harboured an ambition to be a writer? With four children under the age of eight, however do you find the time to write? Where do you write? Do you road test your stories on your children before sending them to your agent or editor?
What is the best thing about being a children’s author? Do you have any advice for budding writers? Sheryl Webster is the author of NOODLE’S KNITTING. |
When did you decide you wanted to create books? What inspired you? What role did books play in your childhood? What were some of your favourites? You write and illustrate your picture books for Little Tiger Press. What comes first, the words or the pictures? Do you enjoy doing one more than the other? Do you have a special place where you work –
a studio or office – or can you work anywhere? Do you have a set routine when you are working on a book or do you only sit down to work when the inspiration hits you?
What advice would you give to anyone trying to get their children’s book published?
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Have you always wanted to illustrate children’s books? What made you decide to pursue this as a career?
Do you have a special place where you work and do you follow a set routine, or do you sit down whenever inspiration strikes?
When you read an author’s text, do you immediately begin to envisage the world they have created? Do you enjoy working on Christmas books? Do they feel particularly special? How do you reward yourself when you have completed a book? ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
Gail is the illustrator of BEDTIME, LITTLE ONES!, THE FAIRY TALE WEDDING, SANTA’S SPECIAL LETTER, HELLO BABY!, TEN CHRISTMAS WISHES, THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS, THE CHRISTMAS ANGELS, TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR and the FAIRY FRIENDS series. |
Are your stories completely imagined or are you inspired by real-life experiences? The imagery in your writing is very vivid and descriptive. Do you find it strange having an illustrator interpret your stories? In A LONG WAY FROM HOME, Moz is desperate for a space of his own. Where do you go when you need to get away from it all? If you could have written any other book what would it be? You look quite a lot like one of your characters, Meggie Moon. When you were a child, were you more of a rough-and-tumble kind of girl who preferred making rockets out of rubbish to playing with dolls? Do you have a favourite Christmas story? What was your dream job when you were a child? Have you always wanted to be a writer? What is the best thing about writing stories for children? ![]() ![]() ![]()
Elizabeth is the author of LITTLE PIP AND THE RAINBOW WISH, |
What
was your favourite childhood book? Who
is your favourite author? How
did you come up with the idea for LAURA’S STAR? How
do you work? What
do you like best about writing and illustrating?
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You made quite a career change switching from your work as a biologist, to writing children’s books, how did that come about? Do you miss using the scientific part of your brain? Are your stories completely imagined or do you take inspiration from your own experiences? Do you often use your own children as sounding posts for your stories? Are they fans of your books? When you are working on a book, do you have a set routine? Is there a special place where you find it easier to concentrate? Do you look forward to seeing the artwork for your books? Is it strange having someone else illustrating your text? What is the best thing about writing for children? Is there a particular part of the process you find most enjoyable? David has written many books for Little Tiger Press, the most recent are: |
GRUFF THE GRUMP was your first book to be published in the UK. How did you feel when you finally saw your illustrations printed in a real book that you can find in your local bookshop? Are there any other illustrators you admire or find inspirational?
When you read an author’s text, do you immediately begin to visualise the characters they have written? Do you have a special place where you work, or can you work anywhere when the mood takes you? What is your ideal way to spend a day off from illustrating?
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Until very recently you worked as a plastics engineer. How did you manage to juggle your ‘day job’ with your commitment to your writing? What is the best thing about being a children’s author? Were you a big reader as a child? What was your favourite book? Do you have a favourite character from one of your books? Do you look forward to seeing how an illustrator has interpreted your story? In CHARLIE’S SUPERHERO UNDERPANTS, Charlie finds himself traversing the globe in search of his missing pants. Have you been to all the countries Charlie visits? Do you base your characters on people you know, or are they completely imagined? Did you have a devoted (but sometimes annoying) younger sister like Ty in CRUNCH MUNCH DINOSAUR LUNCH!? Paul is the author of THE NOT SO SCARY SNORKLUM, BORIS’S BIG BOGEY,
FUZZY WUZZY BUGS, GRUMPY BADGER’S CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE’S SUPERHERO UNDERPANTS, CRUNCH MUNCH DINOSAUR LUNCH, THE BEARS IN THE BED AND THE GREAT BIG STORM, FIDGETY FISH AND FRIENDS, I’M NOT GOING OUT THERE!, UNDER THE BED, QUIET! and NOBODY LAUGHS AT A LION! |
Matt Buckingham
Where do you get the inspiration for your books? Stanley is a very intrepid young fish. Is he based on anyone?
When you are working on a book, what comes first: the words or the pictures? What medium do you use to create your illustrations? Are there any other authors and illustrators you particularly admire or find inspirational? If you weren’t an author and illustrator, what career might you have pursued?
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What
are the books that have influenced you as an author? How
do you create your stories? Do you have a set routine, a special pen you
have to use, or something you look to for ideas? What
is your favourite childhood winter memory? Do
you have any advice for young people who’d like to embark on a writing
career? What
do you like most about being a children’s writer? Do
you have anyone in particular in mind when you write? Do
you base your animal characters on real people? Do
you have a favourite character from one of your books and, if so, why?
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This is your first book to be published. Had you always wanted to write and illustrate a children’s book? Where did you get the idea from for TED, BO AND DIZ – THE FIRST ADVENTURE? Have you ever seen polar bears or penguins in the wild?
What is your favourite animal? Did you show the book to your two children as it was being developed? Are they fans of your illustrations and stories? Do you like sailing? What medium do you use to create your illustrations? What would be your ideal way to spend a day off from illustrating/writing? Who are your favourite illustrators?
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As your ‘day job’ is in PR, what made you decide to pursue a career writing and illustrating children’s books? How do you manage to fit your creative work around a full-time job?
What medium do you use to create your illustrations? Your first book was shortlisted for Booktrust’s Early Years Awards. How did it feel to be recognised as a rising star so early on in your career? What is the best thing about writing and illustrating for children? Are there any other authors and illustrators you particularly admire or find inspirational? Have you made a New Year’s resolution for the year ahead?
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You’re having a very busy year, with three books published by Little Tiger Press, and three by Stripes Publishing. How are you finding being a full-time author? The Grunt and The Grouch are a pretty gruesome pair. Do you think people are surprised to find the author is actually a rather refined lady? Where do you get your inspiration for all their bad habits?
Where do you get your story ideas from generally? You worked as a teacher, before having your own children. Do you think this experience gave you a good idea of what children want to read? Have you always harboured a secret ambition to be a writer? In April, you embarked on a book tour of South Wales. Did you enjoy visiting young readers and introducing them to THE GRUNT AND THE GROUCH?
THE LITTLE WHITE OWL, is a very special character with a gift for storytelling. Is there a little bit of you in him? In June you appeared at the Winchester Writer’s Conference to share your experiences with ambitious new writers. What is the best piece of advice you could share with budding writers? Tracey Corderoy has written JUST ONE MORE!, BRAVE LITTLE PENGUIN, Read the Little White Owl’s Christmas story. |
What made you decide to become an illustrator? When you read an author’s story, do you immediately begin to imagine what the characters will look like, or do you have to think about it for a long time?
As you live in France, how did you come to work for a UK publisher?
What materials do you use to create your illustrations? What do you like best about illustrating children’s books? Joëlle is the illustrator of MY MONSTER DUMPER TRUCK, LITTLE STINKER!,
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Do you have a set routine when you are working on a book, or do you only sit down to work when the inspiration hits? What medium do you use to create your pictures? What’s the best thing about being a children’s book illustrator? And the worst? Have you ever seen a bear in the wild?
What would be your ideal way to spend a day off from illustrating? Who are your favourite illustrators?
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I always enjoyed drawing and painting since the age of three, but didn’t really think about it as a career until I was 18. What’s the best thing about illustrating children’s books? Which other illustrators do you admire? Do you have a special place where you work, or can you draw anywhere? What materials do you use to create your illustrations? Do you ever get days when you feel as grumpy as Babbity? How do you celebrate when you have completed a book?
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You write about a lot of different animals in I LOVE YOU, SLEEPYHEAD, from pandas to foxes and whales to owls. But which animal is your favourite and why? What was your favourite book when you were a child? And which books have influenced you as an author? How do you create your stories? Do you have a set routine or a special place where you go to write? Are you a tidy-desk person or a messy-desk person? Do you have the reader in mind when you write? Do you look forward to seeing an illustrator’s interpretation of your ideas?
If you weren’t an author, what do you think you would be? How do you reward yourself when you have finished a book? What would be your ideal way to spend a day off from writing? What do you most like about being a children’s book writer?
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Do you like the sea – or do you prefer writing about it and illustrating it?
What
did you enjoy most about writing and illustrating FIDGETY FISH, SMILEY SHARK and CLUMSY CRAB? When
did you decide you wanted to write and illustrate children’s books? Who
are your favourite children’s authors and illustrators? If
you weren’t an author-illustrator, what else would you be? Do
you have any tips for aspiring authors or illustrators? SMILEY SHARK won the Nottingham Children’s Book Award – how does it feel to
be an award-winning author-illustrator?
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When did you decide you wanted to become a children’s illustrator?
What advice would you give to anyone starting out as an illustrator?
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Where do you get inspiration for your stories? Do you ever get ‘writer’s block’? What do you do to get the creative juices flowing again? You’ve written books for so many different age ranges. Do you find it easier to write for children or adults? The words in OODLES OF NOODLES beg to be read aloud. Did you enjoy reading to your children when they were younger? Have you been influenced by any particular books or authors? Do you find it exciting having an illustrator interpret your stories? Do you look forward to seeing the results? Do you have any tips for aspiring authors? Diana is the author of OODLES OF NOODLES, THE VERY BUSY DAY, |
Are you a tidy-desk person or a messy-desk person? What are your habits when you are working on a book – do you have a very set routine or will you only sit down to work when the inspiration hits? Do you look forward to seeing how an illustrator has interpreted your story? The Snow Deer is real, and leaps on my tree every Christmas. Here is a picture of him.
What is the best thing about writing books for children? What would be your ideal way to spend a day off from writing children’s books? What was your favourite book as a child and has it influenced your work as an author? Do you have any tips for aspiring authors? If a story gets “stuck”, try making one big change for the fun of seeing what happens – add a new character, or some silly event to loosen things up. A CHRISTMAS WISH only came to life some months after I started it, when I gave Gemma a little brother. If a story really won’t play, let it rest for a while. Just because you can’t make it work now, doesn’t mean you never will – and you’ll see it with fresh eyes when you come back to it. For picture books, always read your text aloud as you develop it – to yourself in the early stages and to a patient friend when you think it’s nearly ready. Reading aloud really shows you where the “dead words” are and where the flow needs to be.
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Are your stories completely imagined or are you inspired by real-life experiences? In SORRY! Bear and Rabbit find it difficult to apologise to one another. Do you ever find yourself feeling as stubborn? Do you look forward to seeing the artwork for your books? Is it strange having someone else illustrating your text? If you could have written any other book, what would it be? What would you be doing if you weren’t a children’s author? What is the best thing about writing stories for children? When you are working on a book, do you have a set routine? Is there a special place where you find it easier to concentrate? As a German author, do you write directly in English or do you translate your text from German?
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What
medium do you use to create your pictures?
When
did you decide you wanted to illustrate children’s books?
What’s
the best thing about being a children’s book illustrator? And
the worst? You
illustrated lots of different animals in SNUGGLE UP, SLEEPY ONES. Did
you do much research?
Who
are your favourite illustrators? Do
you have any tips for aspiring illustrators? What’s
your favourite animal? Tina has illustrated many books for Little Tiger Press. Click on a cover to get details of the most recent ones.
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Have you always wanted to be a writer? What is the best thing about writing for children? Do you have a set routine when you are working on a book or do you wait for inspiration to strike? Are your animal characters based on real people? Do you know anyone as cunning as Fox, or as sweet and naive as Goose? Do you look forward to seeing your characters interpreted by an illustrator? Are they ever as you imagined them? Do you do anything special to relax and celebrate when you finish a book? What advice would you give to anyone trying to get their children’s book published? See details of Marni’s books:
MESSY ME!, SLEEPY ME!, THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!, BUMBLE – THE LITTLE BEAR WITH BIG IDEAS! SILLY GOOSE and WHILE ANGELS WATCH |
You studied Scientific and Natural History Illustration. Is this where you learned to achieve such a naturalist style? What medium do you use to achieve this effect?
What is your favourite animal to illustrate? Do you have any pets? What do you like best about illustrating children’s books? What would be your ideal way to spend a day off from illustrating? Do you have any tips for aspiring illustrators?
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