MR RIPLEY'S ENCHANTED BOOKS: Children's Book Cover Illustration Competition - ROUND FIVE - 2024/25

We welcome YOU once again to Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books 15th Annual Children's Book Cover Illustration Competition! This vibrant event showcases and celebrates the incredible talent and creativity of artists from all around the world. As we continue to foster a love for highlighting the unsung heroes/teams of our favourite book covers.  Join us on this exciting journey and spread the word as we embark on another year of discovering extraordinary artistry that brings enchanting stories to life through the power of illustrations. Get ready to unleash your inner artist and be a part of this remarkable celebration of children's illustration and design! Previous winners HERE!

Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Book Cover Competition Rules 

There will be FIVE (5 OF 5) weekly heats; each with SIX books to vote for. Although there will be 7 book covers in the final to vote for. All heat winners will make the grand final plus two book covers WITH the highest number of votes from all the previous heats.

ROUND ONE WINNER: Susan Cahill - The World Between the Rain - Published by Everything with Words (24 Oct. 2024) - Book Cover Illustration by Holly Ovenden. 

ROUND TWO WINNER: Kevin Moran - The Doomsday - Published by O'Brien Press (3 March 2025) - Book Cover Illustration by Tomislav Tikulin - Cover design by Emma Byrne

ROUND THREE WINNER:  Kate Thompson - Yetis Don't Exist! - Published by Templar Publishing (7 Nov. 2024) - Book Cover Illustrated by Loretta Schauer 

ROUND FOUR WINNER: Antonia Maxwell - Terra Electrica: The Guardians of the North - Published by Neem Tree Press Limited (4 July 2024) - Book Cover by Jet Purdie 

Each week you vote you will be in with a chance to win an exciting prize. 

This week's great prize is a £10 Book Voucher/Bar of chocolate/Hardback Book. Good luck everybody! 

If you are interested all you need to do is:

• Vote for your favourite book cover using the poll HERE  (or at the bottom of the post)
• Leave a comment through this post/poll or see pinned Tweet/X or other socials for more details on @Enchantedbooks
• This poll will end on the 12th of January 2025 at Midnight (UK). 

Have fun and please share with the world through X, Facebook, Threads, and Instagram. Watch the voting develop, and wait to hear whether you've won (once the poll has closed).

Here are the six brilliant book covers to vote for this week: 

 

BOOK ONE: Judith Eagle - The Great Theatre Rescue - Published by Faber & Faber (13 Feb. 2025) - Book Cover Illustration by Jui Talukder - VOTE HERE 

BOOK TWO: Jasbinder Bilan - Puloma and the Bear - Published by Barrington Stoke (13 Mar. 2025) -  Book Cover Illustrated by Skylar White - VOTE HERE

BOOK THREE: Alexandra Dawe - The Stitchwort Curse - Book Published by - UCLan Publishing (5 Sept. 2024) - Book Cover Illustrated by Olia Muza - VOTE HERE 

BOOK FOUR: Larry Hayes - The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick - Book Published by Bloomsbury Children's Books (2 Jan. 2025) - Book Cover Illustrated by Berat Pekmezci - VOTE HERE

BOOK FIVE: Victoria Williamson -  Skyfleet: March of the Mutabugs - Published by Tiny Tree Books (24 Oct. 2024) - Book Cover Illustration by James Brown - VOTE HERE

BOOK SIX: Sally Doherty - Toby and the Siege of Sky City - Book Published by Soaring Skies Publishing ( 26 Mar. 2025) Cover Illustration by Sarah Jane Docker - VOTE HERE

Happy Voting! 

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Children's Book Cover GRAND FINAL Competition 2023/24

Welcome everybody to the 14th GRAND FINAL of Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books' Children's Favourite Book Cover. We have already run five fantastic heats and now have all five winners and the two highest runners-up. We are ready for your VOTES once again. This is your chance to choose your favourite book cover illustration to be crowned the ultimate winner. So get your fingers ready as it all starts NOW. Who will win this YEAR and go down in the Hall of Fame? See previous WINNERS. 

This week's final prize for voting is a £10 book voucher, two books and a delicious bar of chocolate. Good luck everybody! 

If you are interested all you need to do is:

• Vote for your favourite book cover using the poll HERE (or at the bottom of the post)
• Leave a comment through this post/poll or see pinned Tweet/X for more details on @Enchantedbooks
• This poll will end on the 19th of Jan 2024 at Midnight (UK). 

Have fun and share with the world through Twitter, Facebook, Threads, and Instagram. Watch the voting develop, and wait to hear whether you've won (once the poll has closed).

Here are the SEVEN brilliant book covers to vote for this week: 

BOOK ONE: Bex Hogan - Bronte Tempestra and the Lightning Steeds - Published by Piccadilly Press (1 Feb. 2024) - Book Cover Illustration by Hannah McCaffery and art directed by Dominica Clements - VOTE HERE

BOOK TWO: Hannah Durkan - Zeina Starborn and the Emerald King - Published by Orion Children's Books (6 July 2023) - Book Cover Illustrated by George Ermos - VOTE HERE

BOOK THREE: Nicola Davies - Skrimsli - Book Published by Firefly Press (14 Sept. 2023) -  Book Cover Illustrated by Jackie Morris - VOTE HERE 

BOOK FOUR: Rhian Tracey Hide and Seek: A Bletchley Park Mystery - Published by Piccadilly Press (29 Feb. 2024) - Book Cover Illustrated by David Dean - VOTE HERE 

BOOK FIVE: Eibhlis Carcione - Welcome to Dead Town Raven McKay - Book Published by Everything with Words (1 Jun. 2023) - Book Cover Illustrated by Ewa Beniak-Haremska - VOTE HERE 

BOOK SIX: Rachel Chivers Khoo - The Magician Next Door - Published by Walker Books (7 Mar. 2024) - Book Cover Illustration by Alice McKinley and cover designer Maia Fjord - VOTE HERE 

BOOK SEVEN: Penny Chrimes - Moon Shifter - Published by Orion Children's Books (29 Feb. 2024) - Book Cover Illustrated by Manuel Šumberac - VOTE HERE

HAPPY VOTING! 

The Best New Children's Book Picks March 2021 Part Two - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books

 

Hannah Foley - The Spellbinding Secret of Avery Buckle - Published by Floris Books (18 Mar. 2021) 

Part-girl, part-cat, Avery Buckle has always known she's a little different (after all, her tail is a bit of a giveaway). What Avery doesn't know is that she is the only one who can uncover a forgotten magical secret and bring back a great lost wizard. Teaming up with shape-shifting best friend Low, and with help from her witch guardians, Avery is plunged into a haphazard world of shadowy monsters, bewitched libraries and flying bicycles. Grab your enchanted tandem bike and hold on tight! Wildly inventive and packed with fantastical thrills, The Spellbinding Secret of Avery Buckle is a warm and quirky whirlwind of an adventure, full of magical heart.

Gemma Fowler - City of Rust - Published by Chicken House (4 Mar. 2021)

An out-of-this-world sci-fi adventure for a new generation!

Railey dreams of winning the drone races with her bio-robotic gecko friend, Atti. But when a bounty hunter crashes their biggest race yet, the pair are forced to flee to the feared Junker clans who mine the rubbish orbiting the Earth.

Rescued by a couple of Junker kids, they discover a danger bigger than anything they'd imagined - but can three kids, a gecko and an ancient computer save the world against the huge trash bomb (and its power-crazed creator) threatening to destroy the world?

The fun, original and thrilling middle-grade debut from Gemma Fowler.  

Rachel Delahaye (Author), George Ermos (Illustrator) - Mort the Meek and the Ravens' Revenge - Published by Stripes Publishing (4 Mar. 2021)
The first in a wickedly funny new series about an aspiring pacifist in a brutal kingdom!

On Brutalia violence is a way of life. Ravenous ravens circle overhead, monstrous grot bears cause chaos and the streets are bulging with brawls. But Mort isn’t like the other islanders – he’s determined to live peacefully. His struggle is made even tougher when the cruel queen appoints Mort as Royal Executioner. No one has challenged the royals and lived to tell the tale. Can Mort keep his head and outwit the queen? 

Perfect for fans of the HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON series, FROSTHEART and THE NOTHING TO SEE HERE HOTEL.

Laura Wood (Author), Ellie Snowdon (Illustrator) - The Animals of Madame Malone's Music Hall - Published by Barrington Stoke (4 Mar. 2021) 

Summer by the seaside with Gran isn't exactly what Callie expected. Instead of sunshine and ice cream, she's stuck helping Gran's drama group save their local theatre. Worst of all, they've asked her to star in their play. But when she goes exploring backstage, Callie stumbles into an altogether different world - another theatre, run by a wise fox and her troupe of talking animals. And the strangest part of all? Callie's set to play the lead in their show too. Forced to face her fears will Callie be up to the challenge of saving Madame Malone's Music Hall? A cast of creative creatures take centre stage in this theatrical Barrington Stoke debut from Blue Peter Book Award shortlisted author Laura Wood. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+

The Best New Children's Book Picks March 2021 - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books

 

Struan Murray - Shipwreck Island - Published by Puffin (4th March 2021)

Ellie and Seth's breathtaking magical adventure continues in the sequel to the much-loved Orphans of the Tide.

After defeating the Enemy and escaping the Inquisition, Ellie and Seth have fled the City and crossed the endless ocean in search of peace and the truth about Seth's lost memories.

Arriving on the shores of a colourful tropical island ruled by a mysterious queen, it seems their hardships may be behind them. But there is trouble brewing in paradise, and soon Ellie and Seth find themselves caught up in a dangerous struggle for power - and forced to confront terrible truths from the past . . .

Danny Wallace & Gemma Correll -  The Day the Screens Went Blank - Published by Simon & Schuster Children's UK (18 Mar. 2021)

A hilarious middle-grade road-trip adventure from bestselling author, comedian, and presenter Danny Wallace, with illustrations throughout from Gemma Correll. Perfect for fans of Liz Pichon and David Baddiel!

Imagine if all the technology in the world just . . . STOPPED.

When ten-year-old Stella wakes up to discover a world full of BLANK screens, her family, town, and in fact, the whole world seems to have been thrown into chaos. And what about poor Grandma who is stranded at the other end of the country?

Cue a rollicking madcap road trip, full of driving disasters and family fallouts, as they set off on a rescue mission. And along the way Stella and her family discover that being away from screens might not be the Worst Thing Ever, and even though they might not be able to rely on technology anymore, they can rely on each other instead.

John Kelly - The Monster Doctor: Slime Crime - Published by Macmillan Children's Books  (4 Mar. 2021)

Are you looking for the best monster medicine EVER?

Then look no further! FIXITALL will heal tentacle pain, fix leaky noses and stop your limbs falling off – in fact, it will heal practically any common monster illness. (It must be true, because it says so right there on the packet.)

When an annoying saleswoman called Ms Diagnosis arrives at the monster doctor surgery, she swears that her new wonder medicine can cure any monster malady. Ozzy and the monster doctor aren't so sure, and their suspicions are raised when the patients try the unusually slimy samples and strange things start happening . . . 

Laughter is the best medicine, so give yourself a healthy dose of fun and silliness with Monster Doctor: Slime Crime. The third in a spectacularly slimy series of monster adventures written and illustrated by John Kelly that will have you roaring with laughter

Tamsin Mori - The Weather Weaver - Published by UCLan Publishing (4 Mar. 2021)

What if you could befriend a cloud? 

                                                 What weather would you choose?

What if the weather matched itself to your mood, whether you wanted it to, or not?

11-year-old Stella has returned home to Shetland to spend the summer with her Grandpa, but it's nothing like she remembers. Grandpa is lost in his grief for Gran, the island is bleak and Stella feels trapped, until she encounters an old woman, Tamar, who can spin rainbows and call hurricanes. With the help of Nimbus, a feisty young storm cloud, Stella begins to learn the craft of weather weaving. But when her cloud brain-fogs Grandpa and The Haken (a sea witch) starts to close in, she realises that magic comes with big responsibilities. It will take all her heart and courage to face the coming storm...

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Favourite Kids Books 2018

Here we are at the end of another year, so it's a great time to reflect on my favourite books of 2018. As always, I have not read as many books as I would have liked. Trying to find the time to read is always a daily challenge for me.

This year I've found it particularly difficult to come up with a definitive top ten list as so many brilliant books have been published this year. There's been another fantastic growth in children's books, but it is still difficult for these to get the media coverage they deserve. I hope that during 2019 people will sit up and become more active in promoting these amazing and special books.  

On reflection, the books I have selected are a particularly varied list of books this year. However, I would wholeheartedly recommend each and every one. They are all enjoyable and have stayed with me on a personal level throughout the year. It would be really interesting to hear your views and thoughts on this list? 

Also, please check my end of year award LIST.

I am delighted to unveil the following list:



  *Andrew Norriss - Mike - David Fickling Books (4 Jan. 2018) - Book Cover Illustration by Dave Shelton

*Paul Magrs - The Heart of Mars - Published by Firefly Press (15 Mar. 2018) - Book Cover Illustration by TBC

*Sophie Anderson - The House with Chicken Legs - Published by Usborne Publishing Ltd (3 May 2018) - Book Cover Illustration by Melissa Castrillón

*Mal Peet - Mr Godley's Phantom -  Published by David Fickling Books (2 Aug. 
2018) - Book Cover Illustration by Ian Beck

*Nick Cook - Fractured Light - Published by Voice from the Clouds (20 Aug. 2018) - Book Cover Illustration by Ryan Schwarz

* S. A Patrick - A Darkness of Dragons (Songs of Magic) - Published by Usborne Publishing Ltd (6 Sept. 2018) - Book Cover Illustration by George Ermoyenous  

*Ross Mackenzie - The Elsewhere Emporium  - Published by Kelpies (13 Sept. 2018) - Book Illustration Cover by TBC

*Linda Newbery - The Key to Flambards - Published by David Fickling Books (4 Oct. 2018) - Book Cover Illustration by Katie Harnett   


*Liz Flanagan - Dragon Daughter - Published by David Fickling Books (4 Oct. 2018) - Book Cover Illustration by Angelo Rinaldi

*P. G Bell - The Train to Impossible Places - Published by Usborne Publishing Ltd (4 Oct. 2018) - Book Cover Illustration by Flavia Sorrentino  

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - End of the Year Awards 2018 - A Year In Children's Books

It's time to reflect on another blogging/reading year as we draw closer towards 2019. Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books would like to thank all of the publishers, authors, illustrators and anyone one else who has kindly sent books for me to read this year. Every book is much appreciated and isn't taken for granted.  I will be posting my favourite reads of 2018 in the next post or so.  

I would like to present the following awards to:

* David Fickling Books as 'Children's Publisher of the Year 2018'. I have loved every book that I have read this year. Yet again, the care and detail that has gone into each book have been remarkable; every book has thoroughly deserved the space on the bookshelf. I am looking forward to next year and new delights to read. 

* 'Small Publisher' of the year goes to Floris Books (Scotland) and Firefly Press (Wales). Both of which are fantastic publishers. They have a great eye for engaging stories all of which I have enjoyed and loved immensely.  

* Chris Riddell and Marcus Alexander for their roles in promoting and encouraging children to read for pleasure and for inspiring others. 

* Favourite illustrator of the year is Karl James Mountford for outstanding work this year and for letting me use his illustration for my blog header, it looks AMAZING!

*Mr Ripley's Enchanted Book Cover Wars Winner 2018/19 was Vashti Hardy - 'Brightstorm: A Sky-Ship Adventure' - Book Cover illustrated by George Ermos - Published by Scholastic Books UK

*Favourite Graphic Novel - Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter by Marcus Sedgwick & Thomas Taylor - Published by First Second.

* 'Favourite Picture Book' - Shaun Tan - Tales from the Inner City (Walker Studio). Every page is a delight and an inspiration to see and read. 

Finally, Mr Ripley's Children's Favourite blog goes to ReaditDaddy. This is a fantastic blog - it is always a great place to find out more about children's books. 

Thank you most of all to the readers of Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books; without you, there would be no blog. Have a great festive period all of you and enjoy the New Year. 

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Marcus Alexander - Keeper Of The Realms - Self-Publishing (Yay or Nay)

There is no better person to ask about the road to self-publishing than my good friend Marcus Alexander. In my opinion, he is a super "five" star person and a fantastic ambassador for children's books. No other person comes near to him in motivating and enthusing a classroom of children. Armed with his big sonic-boom personality, his cheeky smile and a range of nifty acrobatics. 

Check out his vlog it's brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! It should help you if you are thinking about the road to self-publishing. 

This post will be followed by my favourite self-published children's books article so make sure that you check it. It is coming out very soon. There are some brilliant reads. Check it out HERE

http://whoischarliekeeper.com

UK Children's Book Illustrators List 2018 - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Becka Moor grew up in Manchester where she still lives, above a little cafe in her home office filled with inspiration and coffee stains.

She graduated in 2012 with an honours degree in Illustration for Children’s Publishing from Glyndwr University in North Wales. It was there that her passion for children’s books really took flight.

Becka has always been fascinated by the way illustration and narrative work together, and she loves working with a new text, figuring out how to make the most of a humorous situation for example, and exploring different character ideas.

Website: http://www.beckamoor.com

Twitter: @BeckaMoor 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becka.moor.illustration/

Benji Davies is an illustrator, author and, animation director. His first self-penned picture book The Storm Whale won the inaugural Oscar’s Book Prize and was Dutch Picture Book Of The Year 2017. His second, Grandad’s Island won the children’s book category of the AOI World Illustration Awards 2015 and was crowned Best Picture Book and overall Children’s Book of the Year at the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Awards 2015.

Benji studied animation at university and has since worked on a diverse array of projects, from picture books and animated short films to music videos, commercials and, title sequences. His books have been co-editioned in many languages and countries around the world.

Website: http://www.benjidavies.com/

Twitter: @Benji_Davies

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjidavies/

Ben Mantle was born in Leamington Spa in 1980, and developed a very early interest in things artistic, designing programme covers for school productions and even coming first in his local library colouring-in competition. From there he went on to study animation at Surrey Institute of Art & Design, graduating in 2003.. He then gained valuable experience working on Tim Burton's “Corpse Bride” before moving to Brighton to work as 'Head of Animation' in a media company, focusing on Character and Background design.

He was also part of the Animation team creating the BAFTA winning 'Big and Small' CBeebies website. Since 2008, Ben has been working as a Children's Book Illustrator from his shared studio in Brighton and he also produces screen prints and digital artwork to exhibit. He illustrated 'Callum's Incredible Construction Kit' which won the Bishop's Stortford Picture Book prize 2013.

Website: http://www.benmantle.co.uk/

Twitter: @BenMMantle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benmmantle/

Caroline Uff was born in 1967 in Hong Kong. Whilst still very young she moved back to England with her family. For a few years, she lived in a shed in Shropshire. As a young child, she enjoyed pushing a trolley full of coloured bricks around the garden and eating coal, whilst sporting a Beatles haircut and a tartan mini skirt. Later we moved to Yorkshire in the north of England.

I have always loved drawing and making things from old cereal boxes and sellotape. Although sadly never reaching the dizzy heights of winning a Blue Peter badge I persevered with my artistic studies at Local schools before taking my degree at Edinburgh College Of Art. I thought of becoming a graphic designer but soon realized that illustration allowed me more freedom and enjoyment.

Website: http://www.carolineuff.com/carolineuff/about-2/

Twitter: @caradraw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caroline.uff/

Chris Chatterton is an author and illustrator from County Durham, England. He has a background in graphic design and corporate /commercial animation. His passion for illustration has led him to pursue a career as a freelance artist working for a wide array of clients.  Chris loves all things creative and geeky.

Website: http://www.chrischatterton.com/

Twitter: @ChrisChatterton

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatterton1/

David Litchfield is an illustrator from Bedfordshire in the U.K. He is represented by The Bright Agency. David first started to draw when he was very young, creating Star Wars and Indiana Jones ‘mash up’ comics for his older brother and sister. Since then David’s work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, books and on T-shirts. He has also exhibited his illustrations in both solo and group shows in the U.K, Europe, America.

David’s award-winning first author/illustrator picture book ‘The Bear & The Piano’ and it’s follow up  ‘Grandad’s Secret Giant’ are out now.

Website: http://www.davidlitchfieldillustration.com

Twitter: @dc_litchfield

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david_c_litchfield/ 

David O’Connell is a writer and illustrator living in London, UK. He works mostly in children’s books, particularly humorous picture books and young fiction.

His first book was Monster & Chips, the first of a series of funny (and revolting) adventures of ‘hooman’ Joe Shoe whilst working at the Monster Diner of friendly monster Fuzzby Bixington.

He then collaborated with the brilliant Sarah McIntyre on the picture book Jampires, inspired by a comic they improvised together – a comic ‘jam’! After completing illustrating the Creature Teacher series by writer Sam Watkins, he worked with illustrator Francesca Gambatesa on a series of picture books all about families, as well as illustrating Boyband of the Apocalypse books for funny writer Tom Nicoll.

His latest series is the Dundoodle Mysteries, tales of spooky adventure in the strange little town of Dundoodle, illustrated by Claire Powell.

Website: http://davidoconnell.uk

Twitter: @davidoconnell

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidoconnell.uk/

Jim Field is an award-winning illustrator, character designer and animation director. From music videos and title sequences to advertising and picture books, Jim has worked on a variety of projects.

His first picture book, ‘Cats Ahoy’ written by Peter Bently won the Booktrust Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2011. He is perhaps best known for drawing frogs on logs in the bestselling picture book ‘Oi Frog!’

He has illustrated children's books with Kes Gray, Michelle Robinson, Rachel Bright, Jeanne Willis, Steve Cole and comedian David Baddiel.

Website: https://www.jimfield.me 

Twitter: @_JimField

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jimfield/

Kasia Matyjaszek is a freelance illustrator, living and working in Edinburgh, UK. She graduated with a Masters degree in illustration from Edinburgh College of Art in 2010. A picture book I created for my final degree show was highly commended in the Macmillan Book Prize. In 2013 she took part in the Picture books scheme and together with other finalists exhibited my work in The Scottish National Gallery. In 2015 her picture book was highly commended in Clairvoyants international competition.

I worked on various picture book projects and exhibited my work in Britain, Poland and Italy. 

Website: http://www.kasiamatyjaszek.com/

Twitter: @kasiatwits 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasiamatyjaszek/

Kate Hindley is a children's book illustrator living and working in Birmingham, UK.

She worked as a Print Designer at a Northamptonshire based design company before she got her first book deal with Simon and Schuster back in 2011, illustrating Claire Freedman's "The Great Snortle Hunt".

Since then she has worked on picture books and fiction with publishers including Walker Books, Simon and Schuster, Bloomsbury, Candlewick, and Usborne.

Website: http://katehindley.com/

Twitter: @hindleyillos

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hindleyillos/

Karl James Mountford is an Illustrator, born in Germany and brought up in the U.K. Karl graduated in 2013 at Swansea Met Uni with a Masters degree in Illustration and Visual communication. Karl works in both traditional and digital mediums. He loves Illustration full heartedly, from picture books, writing stories, screen printing, contemporary design. His style of illustration is 'visually edible', sometimes witty, sometimes odd but always full of gusto.

Website: http://cargocollective.com/karljamesmountford

Twitter: @karlj_mountford 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karljmountford/

Mark A Chambers is an illustrator and author of children's picture books and young fiction. He studied illustration at university and has since been represented by the London and New York Illustration agency, Bright Group International. Mark was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2013 with Noisy Bottoms and Pigeon Poo written by Elizabeth Baguley won the Sheffield Children's Picture Book Prize in the same year. My Hamster is a Genius written by Dave Lowe was also Highly Commended.

Website: http://www.markachambers.com/

Twitter: @markAchambers 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markAchambers/

Marta Altés studied graphic design in Barcelona and after working there as a graphic designer for almost five years. I decided to pursue my interest for illustration that I had since I was a child. I moved to England and I joined 

the MA in Children’s Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. Now, after finishing the course, I think 
it was the BEST decision I have ever made. 

Since I graduated, I'm working as an illustrator in London and it makes me feel so lucky and happy.

In 2012 I started working as a part time lecturer in the MA in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art.

I always try to have a positive and funny vision about life and to get a smile from who is looking at my drawings 
or reading my stories is what I like the most about illustration.

Website: http://www.martaltes.com/About

Twitter: @martaltes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martaltes/

Nick Tankard is an Illustrator working from his studio in the world heritage village of Saltaire, West Yorkshire.

His illustrations are produced using a cross-hatch technique with a black fine line pen. Layer upon layer of small ink lines are built up to form structure and shape, whilst other areas are left untouched in order to hint at a flickering light or billowing clouds. It’s a very time consuming process. He cross-hatches in one direction, then turns the image around and adds another layer to create shade and depth, whilst also leaving elements untouched to hint at light and space. The image may turn ten to twenty times until it’s finished.

Nick studied art and Illustration at Bradford College from 1991 – 94.

He then continued his graphic design studies to HND at Cleveland College of Art & Design.

Nick has illustrated several children’s books producing full-page interior illustrations in his pen & ink cross-hatch style.

Website: http://nicktankard.co.uk

Twitter: @NickTankard

Sarah Horne grew up in snowy Derbyshire, UK with some goats and a brother. She learned to draw whilst trying to explain her reasoning for an elaborate haircut at the age of nine. Sarah then honed her skills on the mean streets of Falmouth, studying Illustration. Here, there were daily street battles of scribbling resulting in many paper cuts, but some very nice drawing.

Alongside working on some very funny children’s titles, Sarah has also worked on commissions for The Guardian, The Sunday Times, Kew Gardens, Sesame Street and for IKEA as their Children’s Illustrator In Residence.

She now draws, paints, writes and giggles from underneath a pile of paper at her studio in London.

Website: http://sarahhorne.co.uk

Twitter: @sarahhorne9

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahbhorne9/

Sarah McIntyre is known for her lively adventure stories and action-packed illustrations. She writes and illustrates picture books and comics. Most recently, she has teamed up with Carnegie-winning writer, Philip Reeve, to produce illustrated longer stories, including ‘Oliver and the Seawigs’ and ‘Cakes in Space’. 

Her books have won awards including the Leeds Graphic Novel Award, the Sheffield Children’s Book Award (in the ‘Overall’ category), the UKLA Award, the Independent Bookshop Week Book Award and the Bishop’s Stortford Picture Book Award. 

Website: http://www.jabberworks.co.uk

Twitter: @jabberworks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jabberworks/#

Sharon King-Chai is a designer & illustrator. Born in Australia, she moved to London in 2003 after completing an Honours degree in Visual Communication at University of Technology Sydney, and has been based in North London ever since. 

Sharon has extensive experience in music & publishing industries. She has worked on a wide range of projects including album artwork, branding and logos, product packaging, book covers and event identities. 

Recent awards include Best Children's book cover at the Academy of British Design awards, Best Classic Children's Book at Junior Design Award, Family Choice Award (US) and a shortlisting for the Futurebook Innovation Award. 

In 2013 Sharon’s first children’s picture book ‘Lucy Ladybird’ was published as both book and an iPad app, and her second book, Snail Mail, is out in September 2016. 

Website: http://sharonkingchai.com/

Twitter: @SharonKingChai

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonkingchai/

Steven Lenton hails from Cheshire and now works from his studio in Brighton, creating an array of charming characters for his books.

Best known for illustrating Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam, written by Tracey Corderoy, he has illustrated many lovely books and wrote his first picture book with Nosy Crow, Princess Daisy and the Dragon and the Nincompoop Knights.

Steven also loves to visit schools, festivals and bookshops, encouraging and inspiring his audience to draw, giggle and create! He is also a children’s book blogger – just search for his name on YouTube. 

Website: http://stevenlenton.com/

Twitter: @StevenLenton 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steven_lenton/
 

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