David Litchfield’s Début Picture Book – The Bear and the Piano

David has hit the ground running at Bright securing his first picture book deals in both the UK and the US. His distinctive style mixes colour and drama to inspire an incredible atmosphere which creates a huge scale from which to entertain his readers.

David's début Picture Book - The Bear and the Piano (published with Frances Lincoln), is available for pre-order now!

David first began drawing when he was very young, creating Star Wars & Indiana Jones mash-up comics for his older brother and sister. His illustration heroes and biggest influences are Albert Uderzo, Sylvan Chomet, Jon Klassen and Shaun Tan. He uses a variety of techniques to create his illustrations and considers himself to be a mixed media artist as he usually combines all the elements together in Photoshop.

David Litchfield is represented by Bright 

Chris Garbutt: It’s a Groovy World, Alfredo! – Debut Picturebook

Chris Garbutt's long-awaited debut picture book, It's a Groovy World, Alfredo! written by Sean Taylor, is published by Walker on 4th June.

Poor Alfredo is a frog who just can't dance. No matter how hard his best friend Marty (a smooth talking fly) tries to teach him all the fancy dance moves - all he ever does is Jump! Jump! Jump! It's just not cool!  Or… is it?

Chris' use of rich colours with subtle washes, combined with his simple yet expressive characters gives this heart-warming story a really unique feel. Here's a preview of his gorgeous illustrations.

Chris Garbutt is represented by Arena Illustration. 

Diana Mayo – Beautiful Illustrations for The Owl and Pussycat

Diana Mayo has created some beautiful  black and white images for The Owl and Pussycat.

Her lovely illustration work was much appreciated at Bologna and London Book Fairs.

Diana Mayo is represented by Artist Partners

Storytime Sunday with Little Tiger Press & Waitrose!

Following on from a SOLD OUT Storytime Sunday with Sue Hendra last month, we were so pleased to gain the same fantastic feedback this time around at our April event with Ada Grey

With a 10am start,  Ada Grey was raring to read her illustrated Hippobottymus (Little Tiger Press) to the crowd of eagerly awaiting children. Monkey impressions, Crocodile snaps, bubble dances galore – the group of avid fans were up on their feet joining in the jungle fun. After the reading, the families were invited to design their own hippos and colour in sheets of their favourite characters alongside the creative guidance of Ada (her bubble machine!) and Little Tiger Editor, Ellie Farmer!

Throughout the morning, the kids were making full use of the giant chalk board wall – doodling alongside both Ada & Laura – and enjoying the array of pastries & refreshments the Doodle Bar had supplied. Donations for Great Ormond Street Hospital were taken from start to finish – the Waitrose Easter baskets were a hit and kids were lining up for a signed copy of Ada’s book!

Ada Grey is represented by Bright Group 

Alex T. Smith: Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion – Just Published

Alex T. Smith's fantastic new picture book, Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion is published this month by Scholastic Children's Books. Alex artfully brings a new, cheeky little twist to the classic Little Red Riding Hood tale, setting his charming story in Africa with gorgeous hot colours and introducing a greedy lion to replace the cunning wolf. Our plucky heroine, Little Red, is a fearless little girl who won't let a lion get between her and curing her Auntie Rosie from a mysterious rash!

This 'riotous romp of a story' was Fiona Noble's 'Editor's Choice for the Month' in The Bookseller (20th February, 2015). She goes on to say:

“Little Red is not a girl to be messed with…. The spreads of her travelling to her auntie’s house are a particular joy: dashing, creeping and wiggling (with her trusty goat sidekick) past a glorious menagerie of giraffes, crocodiles, monkeys and more. There are quirky details to spot and savour, all decorated in a vivid palette of red and gold. Smith’s sense of mischief is everywhere, with moments of pure, joyful silliness…. As the parent of a six-year-old I have a strict standard of merit for picture books: does it still delight on the 10th re-reading? A resounding yes!”

Alex T. Smith is represented by Arena Illustration. 

Surrey Libraries Children’s Book Award 2015!

Congratulations to Hannah George and Jennifer Grey on winning The
Surrey Libraries Children's Book Award 2015!

We were delighted to hear that  'Chicken Mission - Danger In The Deep
Dark Woods'  published by Faber Children’s scooped the prize. Hannah
loves illustrating these action packed adventures about Amy
Cluckbucket - The Kung Foo Chicken, with a few of the characters being
based on her own pet hens!

Hannah George is represented by Meiklejohn

Emily Carew Woodard in Wonderland

Emily Carew Woodard works on the 'Wonderland' project and paints thirteen Alice in Wonderland scenes. The project which celebrates the 150th anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland also aims to raise money for Lenny Trusler Children's Foundation.

Thirteen composers have been asked to write short musical pieces, each inspired by a different section of the book, and during performances, Emily’s artwork will be projected within the venue. The illustrations are also featured on the Classic FM website this week, take a look for information on performance dates.

Emily Carew Woodard is represented by Illustration Ltd

Just Published: Cave of Doom by Jonny Duddle

Ahoy there, me hearties! This month sees the return of Jim Lad and the Pirates Next Door in the publication of the much awaited, The Jolley Rogers and the Cave of Doom, (Templar) written and lavishly illustrated by Jonny Duddle.

While the Jolley-Rogers are enjoying a day at the beach, little sister Nugget toddles into a cave. When she doesn't come out again, Mum goes in to find her. And, when Mum doesn't return, Dad follows. Jim Lad is suspicious and sends Bones the dog to Dull-on-Sea to find Matilda before he too ventures in to the cave. Jim Lad soon discovers a magical haul of treasure inside the cave has bewitched his family. Will the cave's spooky inhabitant, a sinister sea witch, keep them prisoner forever, or can Matilda and Bones come to the Jolley-Rogers' rescue?

Jonny Duddle is represented by Arena Illustration

Andrew Farley – Spy Dog

Here is Andrew Farley’s cover for the latest instalment in the brilliant Spy Dog series. ‘Spy Dog Storm Chaser’ sees Lara trying to solve the case of a strange cloud that is sitting mysteriously over  the town of Brickfield making everyone feel grumpy. At the same time sales of Ken Soop’s Chicken Soups are flying and chickens are going  missing from farms all over the country. Lara and her sidekick Professor Cortex have worked out that there is a strange connection  between these mysterious occurrences…. So an adventure involving, chicken snot, storm conductors and a giant oven follows! Andrew was thrilled to illustrate yet another cover for this fabulous series.

Andrew Farley’s is represented by Meiklejohn

Anna Hymas -‘The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind’

We love Anna Hymas' black and white artworks for 'The Boy Who
Harnessed The Wind' by William Kamkwamba,  Anna's expressive style was
the perfect choice for this bold tale.  Anna was thrilled to be asked
to illustrate the Young Readers edition of this inspiring story, which
has been chosen as one of Amazon's 'Best Children's Books for 2014'.

Anna Hymas is represented by New Division