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Sometimes all you need is a really good book (and

Sometimes all you need is a really good book (and maybe a biscuit!)

It’s #worldbookday on Thursday and I recently did a giveaway to find 3 kids who would like to receive some book post!!

Thanks so much to everyone who got in touch, I wish I could send you all a book but sadly it’s just not possible. So the following accounts were randomly selected...

@redfox_inthebox
@lilmax82
@wildchild_ren

I’ll be DM-ing you in the next couple of minutes! Congratulations and hope you all have a brilliant #worldbookday2021 📚

Hello from my Art Cupboard 👋🏻 I’ve had a

Hello from my Art Cupboard 👋🏻

I’ve had a lot of questions about writing, illustration and publishing. I am far from being an expert and I think everyone’s journey is different but here’s a bit about how I ended up here...in a cupboard under my stairs!

I first thought about writing a picture book 7 years ago. Whenever I found a slither of time between work and life I’d jot a few words down. I’ve not (yet!) had the luxury of sitting in a cafe to write!

I wrote ‘The Girl who Stole the Stars’ about 4 years ago with the aim of self-publishing.
I investigated hiring a freelance illustrator but couldn’t afford it. Naively I hadn’t really appreciated the time and effort it takes to illustrate a book!

Undeterred I decided to illustrate it myself. I know that sounds a bit bizarre but I’m sure a lot of my friends (who often received my weird and wonderful creations for birthdays!) weren’t too surprised.

I had to become really disciplined in order to do this as I had a young family and a job. Every evening was spent drawing/practising and learning at the kitchen table. I used YouTube to learn techniques and found Instagram was also helpful for feedback.

I got myself a cheap (but perfectly adequate!) scanner and used Photoshop and InDesign to pull everything together until a book started to emerge.

I was so pleased with the final outcome that I decided to give the traditional publishing route one last shot. I ‘Twitter pitched’ my story with a couple illustrations and was really fortunate that @littledoorbooks got in touch to let me know they’d like to see the full text.

After a meeting to discuss the book I was able to sign my first publishing contract in 2018/19 and ‘The Girl who Stole the Stars’ was in print by October 2020.

We have now cleared a cupboard space in the house so I’m no longer at the kitchen table which is a big step forward. Making books isn’t my full-time job but that’s the dream. Until then I’ll continue to do what I can when I can.

It’s not very easy to see the journey through these small squares on social media so just a wee reminder that you only get to see the best bits of what has been a long long journey!

Mistakes matter so make them. I’ve been filming

Mistakes matter so make them.

I’ve been filming some short videos today for World Book Day. I am a Primary School Teacher so I really enjoy getting kids to engage with books but I also love talking about creativity. Lots of people think that creativity means art but I strongly believe that creativity, and indeed creative thinking, can be applied in any situation where you are trying to find a new solution to a problem.

But, in order to think creatively you have to be willing to make mistakes so you can figure out what works and what doesn’t.

I often have kids telling me ‘it’s wrong’ or ‘it doesn’t look right’ or ‘I made a mistake’ and I usually say...

“Brilliant, now look carefully, think about why it’s ‘wrong’ and try again because mistakes show us how to get better.”

I think this is why people often say that ‘fear’ and ‘creativity’ go hand in hand because you have to get a lot wrong before you get it right.

At the moment I’m reading ‘Creativiy’ by @johncleeseofficial at which is a brilliant and relatively brief read about creativity so if you are interested in the subject check it out. Also, if you can recommend any books to me on this let me know 😁

Sometimes you need a different perspective – their

Sometimes you need a different perspective - theirs 🐋

I’ve loved seeing lots of my favourite illustrators take part in the #drawtheoceanschallenge with @greenpeaceuk to raise awareness of some of the animals that live in our oceans. I couldn’t resist getting the watercolours out for this one.

There is still a problem with plastic pollution in our oceans that is directly impacting the animals that live there. This drawing challenge has definitely been a good reminder for me about the impact of my actions on the environment.

Anyway - always good to look at things from a different perspective. Have a great weekend 😁

Pull on those Positive Pants! Anyone else found

Pull on those Positive Pants!

Anyone else found Lockdown to be a bit of an emotional rollercoaster?! There seems to always be good days and bad. Thankfully there is (maybe!?) a bit of light at the end of the tunnel here in the UK.

Today I just wanted to draw something fun and positive so if you’re are having one of those bad days then maybe try do something you love (for me it’s drawing!) and remember that we all have good days and bad.

P.S There is also a story that goes with Panda’s Pants that I’ll maybe share with you one day! 😁

PPS if you also draw a panda wearing pants then tag me, I’d love to see it!!🐼

WORLD BOOK DAY GIVEAWAY!! I’m aware of how hard

WORLD BOOK DAY GIVEAWAY!!

I’m aware of how hard the last few months have been for kids so I’m keen to do a wee #randomactsofkindness and send some book post! I’m looking for 3 kids who you think would like to receive a signed copy of my book for #worldbookday next week.

So if you know a kid (the book is aimed at 3-6 year olds) living in the UK that I can send a signed copy of my book to then please comment below 👇🏻

I’ll chose 3 accounts at random over the weekend and DM you for an address to send it to. I’ll be posting the books out on Monday to ensure they reach their new home by Thursday 4th March.

I’m really passionate about engaging children in books and instilling a love of reading so I hope that a surprise book delivery will be a step towards this for a little reader.

Thanks 😊

Life is busy. Make space for you. For me, having

Life is busy. Make space for you.

For me, having had all my girls home due to lockdown, there hasn’t been much space or time for myself...it’s not impossible to find but I do need to make an effort to protect the little ‘me’ time I have. I’m sure many of you Mums out there will relate to this!!

Anyway, just my wee doodle and thought for tonight!

The Band of Brothers. I drew these mainly because

The Band of Brothers.

I drew these mainly because I don’t draw boys very often and I need the practise!! I also have a lovely story about a boy that I’m currently working on and I still haven’t settled on what he is going to look like yet. I usually find if I draw over and over and over again a familiar character starts to emerge. I’ll share the process of this once it’s done.

I have had some difficulties with my hands recently due to my arthritis so it’s been nice to just revert back to very simple sketches and limited colours. I pretty pleased with how they turned out.

It was never my intention to sell these but after so many requests I have now listed 2 of them as prints on my website shop.

I usually print my work on demand so if you are ever looking for something in a different size or style just ask 😊

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