PETER BAILEY was born in India and grew up in London. Since graduating from the Brighton School of Art, his extraordinary career has seen him illustrate over 100 books by some of Britain’s best-known authors and poets, including Philip Pullman, Allan Ahlberg, Dick King Smith and Alexander McCall Smith. For twenty years he also taught illustration at the Liverpool School of Art and many of his students have gone on to great success.
CHRISTIAN BIRMINGHAM is one of the brightest stars of children’s book illustration, known for the beauty, power and luminosity of his work.
Described by the Guardian as “a modern-day Degas”, Christian has collaborated several times with Michael Morpurgo, on titles including Shadow and Dear Olly.
MICHAEL FOREMAN is one of the most successful and well-loved children’s book illustrators of his generation. Among many other honours he has won the Kate Greenaway Award, the Smarties Prize (both for books which he wrote and illustrated) and the Children’s Book Award. His friendship with Michael Morpurgo (“the other Michael”) has led to many classic collaborations, including Kaspar, Prince of Cats and Little Manfred.
QUENTIN BLAKE CBE is one of the most iconic illustrators of our time, whose warm, spontaneous and witty style is both instantly recognisable and utterly inimitable. He is known for his collaboration with writers such as Russell Hoban, Joan Aiken, Michael Rosen, John Yeoman, David Walliams, and, most famously, Roald Dahl. He has also illustrated classic books, including A Christmas Carol and Candide, and created much-loved characters of his own, including Mister Magnolia and Mrs Armitage. In 1999 he was appointed the first ever Children’s Laureate and in 2013 he received a knighthood for ‘services to illustration’ in the New Year’s Honours.
EMMA CHICHESTER CLARK studied at Chelsea School of Art and the Royal College. As well as winning the Mother Goose Award, she has been nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal, Kurt Maschler Award and Blue Peter Book Award. Emma has created many popular picture books including the Melrose and Croc, Blue Kangaroo and Wagtail Town series.