The SAA are very pleased to be supporting the World Illustration Awards by sponsoring The SAA Agents Award for New Talent.
children’s books 
Arena artists Aleksei Bitskoff, Jonny Duddle, Thomas Flintham and Adam Stower lead a monstrous day of drawing monsters in our Big Draw event at Discover Children's Story Centre in Stratford on Saturday 15th October. Monster Mash will be a drawing extravaganza for children of all ages, with a chance of winning lots of great prizes.
Jonny Duddle, the creator of best-selling picture book The Pirate Cruncher, has a new pirate adventure published in October by Templar. The Pirates Next Door stars the Jolley-Rogers, the pirate family who move to Dull-on-Sea and cause no end of rumours amongst the locals. But for their next door neighbour Matilda, life suddenly gets more interesting.
The first edition hardcover has a fold-out poster of the Jolly-Rogers and there's a stunning double gatefold inside.
Jonny Duddle is represented by Arena
The Chris Beetles gallery recently hosted the launch of the exciting new project Daniela Terrazzini has been busy working on, the first title in the series from JJ Books, ‘Tales for Great Grandchildren’. Daniela was asked to illustrate the whole book including both the full colour watercolour pages, title pages and the cover illustration. The author John Jackson has written a fantastic set of stories based on the folklore and mythology of India and Nepal and Daniela’s intricate and beautiful illustrations are the perfect accompaniment for such a special project, ‘The bewitching illustrations by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini bring the characters out of the page and into our hearts. Her work is enchanting and seductive, and will spark the imaginations of all’.
Daniela is presented by The Artworks
Leading children's book illustrator, Richard Johnson, has recently produced a magnificent pop up book based on the classic tale of Pinocchio, for Templar publishing. It really is a stunning piece of work, and it sure to be a big hit. His beautifully rendered imagery jumps out of the pages, bringing the story to life in an exciting fresh way. It is an exciting addition to the Templar catalogue, which already includes Richard's successful 'Alice in Wonderland' pop up book. Well done Richard!
Richard Johnson is represented by the Organisation
Alex T Smith's delightful illustrations adorn bestselling author, Karen McCombie's You, Me and Thing: The Curse of the Jelly Babies published by Faber this month. This is the first in the series about a strange, small something that lives at the bottom of Ruby Morgan and Jackson Miller's back gardens. Alex's illustrations are a perfect foil for this story about friendship, secrets, magic and BIG trouble.
Alex T Smith is represented by Arena
Jonny Duddle and Aleksei Bitskoff have teamed up to illustrate The Monstrous Book of Monsters, published by Templar this month. The book is written in notebook form with pop-up and lift-up elements for readers to delve into. It's packed with plenty of foul facts on how to spot and avoid monsters, including defensive tactics, monstrous infections, monster myths and monster mysteries.
This is Aleksei's debut picture book, and Jonny's second book with Templar, following his hugely successful picture book The Pirate Cruncher.
Jonny Duddle and Aleksei Bitskoff are represented by Arena
Aleksei Bitskoff has been working for BARNAS in Norway, whose magazines are distributed to 20, 000 children every month.
He has very successfully given popular bible stories the graphic novel treatment. Here is some of his artwork from Moses and the Brave Midwives.
Aleksei Bitskoff is represented by Arena
Adam Stower's sketchbook work is featured in the Summer issue of Illustration magazine. He explains his fascination with sketchbooks and the role they play in helping him to develop story ideas and characters:
"I love using sketchbooks. They allow me to draw freely, un-fettered by any specific purpose or the parameters of a brief. I will often begin a doodle without a clear idea of what it is I’m drawing. They take on a life of their own and I’m frequently surprised by what they become. It’s one of the many delights that make me a fervent fan of sketchbooks."
Adam Stower is represented by Arena
Laila Hills has been in high demand recently and has just completed work on these fabulous waterproof 'Squirty Bath Books' for Campbell books. Adorable gifts to make bath time fun for your little ones! Bold, bright and simple, they are just perfect, and if you give them a squeeze, they'll shoot water at you! Laila Hills is represented by The Organisation
Alex T.Smith is represented by Arena