The start of 2023 has been great, with 2 new books published, new projects started, award for a wonderful book and World Book Day.
January
1st January saw the ‘book birthday’ of Everybody Counts’ written by Matt Forrest Esenwine and @Senor Saguaro’ written by Lisa Rose both illustrated by me and published by The Little Fig LLC. Both are available worldwide. Have a read of the lovely interview that I did with Matt. Poetry Friday: Dog-eared books, comfort zones, and blue corn mush – an interview with “Everybody Counts!” illustrator Emma Graham – Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme (wordpress.com)
February
At the end of February ‘Sammy the Sea Squirt’ a book I illustrated and designed to Suffolk Mind, written by Ezra Hewing (Head of Education at Suffolk Mind) won a wonderful award. We won the ‘Best Idea’ category in the East Suffolk Awards. The book encourages movement for good mental health and was given to all reception age children in Suffolk in 2021. It is wonderful that is special book has been recognised and that the message is so important. This was a wonderful project to be involved with and the amazing team at Suffolk Mind had no previous experience of publishing, so learnt from the basics of layout and design, right through to crowd funding, printing, distribution and marketing, I’m so proud of everyone’s hard work, the award is well deserved.
Find out more about the book and order a copy here- Sammy the Sea Squirt resources – Suffolk Mind
March
The 2nd of March was World Book Day and I was invited to visit the Ipswich Prep school to meet the children. I had so much fun showing them what I do, the role of being an illustrator and that making a picture book is a partnership of words and pictures. The children worked together to construct a charming story of the big grey cat with a blue nose and pink and red spots, his teeny friend the brown dog and their fun adventure to find spots for the dog. I drew the characters and story (very quickly) as they told me the story, then when back in my studio I did a more finished piece to send to those classes as a ‘thanks’ for the fun and warm welcome. Being World Book Day everyone was in costume, and looking wonderful as characters from their favorite books. I went as the Red Crayon from ‘The day the crayons quit’ written by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers.
The rest of March and into April I am planning ahead for visiting The London Book Fair, creating new work and updating my folio. I’d love to share this with publishers, so if you will be at the fair and would like to discuss my work, do get in touch, we can arrange a meeting.
