Ship's Rat

I've always wanted to write a nautical themed picture book. A ship's rat called Ratina is a new character idea of mine. Here's a sketch of her:

The Spoon of Doom

This funny, sticky porridge adventure with my illustrations will be soon available to buy from June 2010.

Click here to Preorder

EVENTS Coming Up...

Thursday 20th May: Rhodes Avenue Primary School. I will be signing books from The Children's Bookshop Muswell Hill (http://www.childrensbookshoplondon.com/) at the school after 3:30pm.

Saturday 29th May: Waterstone's Bath special Sleep Sheep Event- tickets / info available from the store. 3:00-4:00pm http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb

Wednesday 16th June 2pm: Event at Eagle House School Children's literary festival http://www.eaglehouseschool.com/childrens-literature-festival-marquee.htm

Wednesday 7th July at the Millennium Hall in Buckden, I'll be presenting the next winner of the Cambridgeshire Picture book Award "Read it Again", I'll also be signing books.

September 27th September: Bath Festival event, more details to follow.

Wayhey! New fun 'Design a Sheep' worksheet

This will be uploaded on my website soon... but in the meantime you can print it off it here for maximum baa-tastic sheepy fun.

The Sleep Sheep - Publishers Weekly review

This winning bedtime book celebrates a child's imagination. When her frustrated mother suggests that she count sheep to fall asleep, Sylvie quickly imagines "hundreds and hundreds of sheep," but they are a wily flock. Shaw's (Evil Weasel) witty pen and ink drawings are chockablock with charismatic sheep "rumbaaa-ing," skateboarding, and otherwise milling about, none of which helps Sylvie count them ("Hey, sheep," she says, "you're really exasperating"). Sylvie follows the sheep to the beach where they play cards, read storybooks, arrange flowers, play board games, and finally fall asleep, at which point Sylvie is able to count them and fall asleep herself. The sheep--who, it turns out, clearly know what they're doing--tiptoe away and sail off aboard "The Dream Boat" ("I thought she'd never nod off!"). McQuinn's (Lola at the Library) clever conceit is expanded considerably by the comic details that fill every spread (the sheep's apparel is wonderfully diverse, especially at the beach, where they don "trunks and bikinis, suntan lotion and snorkeling goggles"). The gentle adventure blends seamlessly into the calming bedtime-ready ending. Ages 3–6. (May)

Link: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/reviews/childrens.html

Mr Lion is finished! Ta Da!

It took me 5 days non stop but finally it's finished and I'm shipping it off to Bath Waterstone's tomorrow! The other side will be painted by Tessa Farlow this week.

Do look out for it in Waterstone's from mid May onwards.

and now for the little animals...

I've started painting the characters now.

and continues...

The text on the banner is hand lettered and filled with gold leaf.

Mr Lion Continues

Today I've been working on the text banner for the lion.

First I printed out all the text and stuck it on the lion with masking tape to work out positioning.

Next I sketched out the banners, then I took all the text off and painted the banners. I hand lettered all the text in pencil, this took forever!

I'm currently applying gold leaf to some of the lettering and going over the text in black permanent pen.

Watch this space for more pictures tomorrow...

Mr Lion comes to stay!

I'm taking part in a fantastic project for Bath.

www.lionsofbath.com

In May 100 Lions will adorn the streets of Bath, each one individually painted by artists from the area. Although I'm not strictly 'local', Bath Waterstone's who are generously sponsoring a Lion, have asked me to decorate one for them!

I'm actually painting one side of the lion and I'm going to be doing an 'extreme reading circus' theme. Another illustrator- Tess Farlow, is painting the other side. Our designs will meet along the centre.

The Mr Lion's home from Mid MAY- SEPTEMBER will be in Bath Waterstone's window.

Do go and meet him!

I am photographing the Lion as he transforms so watch this space for new photos as I go...

Roar!

I'm still here!

These last few weeks I've been unable to post new events on my blog because a bear ate my computer.

I've had 4 wonderful days of events thanks to Sheepscombe School in Painswick, St Michael's C.E Primary school in Wandsworth, Newent Library in the Forest of Dean and last but my no means least, Leicester Reading week!

It was great to meet so many budding young artists and readers.

My next event is MAY 4th at Nailsworth and Chalford Primary schools in Gloucestershire.

The YELLOW LIGHTED BOOKSHOP in Nailsworth will be organising the event as part of their festival http://web.me.com/bookfestival/Site/Hello%21.html

If you wish to buy a copy of my book locally, Yellow Lighted is a a wonderful shop to visit.

Introducing the Raccoon family...

Article for READING ZONE website- Create a Picture Book Competition!

I recently wrote a piece with Caroline Horn for the Reading Zone website and the new 'Create a Picture Book Competition' for schools. If you are interested in reading the article or getting involved in the competition, follow this link...
http://www.readingzone.com/index.php?zone=sz&page=picture_book

It's a WINNER!

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/navigate.do?pPageID=1185



I'm so pleased to be a part of this magical book and I was delighted to have a special mention from Anthony Browne in his speech. WELL DONE Katie!

If you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for?
I'm currently working on the illustrations for next book in the series- The Great Rabbit Rescue... watch this space.

A peek at an example colour page from my new book...

Character Sketches

These are some new characters i'm working on for a series...

2010!

It's finally here, a new year and the start of the teenies!
The (very icy!) first day of the new school term I was at Swindon Village Primary School kicking off their book week.

If you want to book me for a school visit this year it's best to contact me at least a month in advance to be sure of availability. I don't mind receiving last minute panic email requests but I can't guarantee I'll be able to make it. Remember spring / summer is usually my busiest time of year.

For more details go to www.contactanauthor.com

There's lots of writing and illustration work for me to be getting on with too, I really am a busy bee.
I've got some exciting new book projects involving vicious white rabbits, raccoon bandits, crime fighting kids and a mysterious spoon of doom!

I've got a new picture book I've illustrated coming out in Spring- That's THE SLEEP SHEEP
I've also got a new fiction book I've illustrated out this month THE GREAT HAMSTER MASSACRE

Watch out for the yummy (more affordable) ERROLL paperback and CROCODILES ARE THE BEST ANIMALS OF ALL! which is also out in paperback this year.

Onwards and upwards!

Here's a scary pic...

H

Merry Christmas!

To all that have bought my books or supported my events- A Very Merry christmas and a Happy 2010! x

Next Event: Hannah Shaw at the Read to Inspire Conference - Kingston University

Click here for more infomation

http://www.writeaway.org.uk/content/blogcategory/16/28/

The event at Kingston University is one of 42 conferences that Write Away is organising this year for student teachers. The main aim is to spark the students' interest in children's literature and the creators of children's books at this formative stage in their teaching careers, so that they in turn will inspire the and enthuse the children in their classes. Each event has a theme, and the theme at Kingston University is 'Words and Pictures'.

School for Bandits: Ralph Raccoon's World

I'm starting out on a new picture book project and I really felt I needed to get my head around the sense of place. So I drew a map... It's a bit wonky!

Funny Prize was a big bundle of laughs

Photo from the booktrust website- Click to read article.
http://www.booktrust.org.uk/Prizes-and-awards/Roald-Dahl-Funny-Prize


What a fantastic day, although Crocodiles are the best Animals of All didn't win I felt elated watching the video of Lonesome Primary School pupils talk about their favourite books. I also enjoyed all the frantic signing at the end. The book trust and the Roald Dahl Foundation and not least the judges with the hilarious Bill Bailey and Michael Rosen put on a wonderful event. Everyone was in stitches, the banter and laughter was infectious.

I feel proud to have been shortlisted.

Random House Children's Books Team build a house of books!

Erroll is holding up well!

Next Event: Stroud Arts Festival- Friday 27th November.

Meet Your Favourite Children's Authors at Stroud Subrooms.

Friday the 27th November from 5-6:00 pm (for 5-9 year olds) and 6:30-8:30 pm (for 9-14 yr olds)

This is a unique opportunity to meet the authors of the books you love.

Children’s authors Sue Limb (Girl 15, Charming but Insane), Elizabeth Lindsey (Magic Pony), John Dougherty (Jack Slater books), Jamila Gavin (The Coram Boy), Cindy Jeffries (The Rising Star and Fame Book Series), Hannah Shaw (Evil Weasel, Erroll) will be reading from their work and answering questions, so come along listen, enjoy and get your books signed.

http://www.stroudartsfestival.org/

The Great Hamster Massacre is Launched!

Last night I attended a fun launch party for a fantastic new fiction book I've illustrated called 'The Great Hamster Massacre' (to be published by Simon and Schuster). Katie Davies the Author and her husband Alan Davies the comedian were there along with members of the Simon and Schuster publishing team, booksellers and librarians.

The Great Hamster Massacre won't be published until January 2010 but save your pocket money as it's a deliciously funny read.

Here's the synopsis:

A very natural and honest version of life's events from the perspective of a young girl - from her suspicions about her neighbours, to her rocky friendship with the girl next door; from the sudden death of her beloved granny to her relentless quest for a pet hamster, only to then find it mysteriously slaughtered - which kickstarts a local investigation of 'suspects'. This is the first in a proposed series of short novels featuring the same characters and setting - with the themes of pets and detective work holding them together.

I'm currently working on illustrations for the next book in the series, called 'The Great Rabbit Rescue', so watch this space!

My website will soon be updated so you can see some of the illustrations from Hamster Massacre.

Bath Festival of Children's Literature- 2009: Event pics.

Thanks to Lauren Bennett at Random House for these pictures.

Next Event: Hannah Shaw at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Thursday 15 October 2009 at 4:00 pm

Event B44 at Town Hall / £3 /Age 3–6

Fun @ Four: Hannah Shaw:

Evil Weasel and Friends

Hannah Shaw reads from her wonderful tale of the mischievous Evil Weasel and her new story of Erroll, the imaginative world of talking squirrels and high adventure! A picture book that’s full of fun and friendship…

For booking:

Click here

New Sean Taylor story- Sneak a peek at cover illustration

The Grizzly Bear with Frizzly Hair - Cover in progress for Frances Lincoln Ltd.

WOW! Great news! 'Crocodiles are the Best Animals of All' has been SHORTLISTED for the ROALD DAHL funny prize!

http://www.booktrust.org.uk/Prizes-and-awards/Roald-Dahl-Funny-Prize





Sean and I are delighted to be shortlisted...

The funniest book for children aged six and under

The Great Dog Bottom Swap by Peter Bently, illus. Mei Matsuoka (Andersen Press)

Octopus Socktopus by Nick Sharratt (Alison Green Books)

Elephant Joe is a Spaceman! by David Wojtowycz (Alison Green Books)

Crocodiles Are the Best Animals of All! by Sean Taylor, illus. Hannah Shaw (Frances Lincoln)

Mr Pusskins Best in Show by Sam Lloyd (Orchard Books)

The Pencil by Allan Ahlberg, illus. Bruce Ingman (Walker Books)