My Friend the Octopus

Helen (@helenbyles) - Britain 1877, a place where aquariums were extremely popular,  especially with the upper class of society.  They marvelled at all the amazing sea creatures,  but there was one creature that stood out from all the rest. The beautiful Octopus.  An amazing creature that even today fascinates people around the world.  There is … Continue reading My Friend the Octopus

Writes of Passage – Words to Read before you turn 13

Pick any page inside this book and inspiration awaits. It is designed perfectly for the intended reader as each 'passage' is short in text length whilst being powerful in context, and this layout allows readers to pick at what they read, and adds to the enjoyment factor when recommending or gifting this book to young … Continue reading Writes of Passage – Words to Read before you turn 13

Brilliant Board Books for Babies from Nosy Crow

Look, it's Roar Roar Lion Written by Camilla ReidIllustrated by Clare Youngs I absolutely love the foil detailing to the illustrations throughout this book, which feature large mammals including a zebra, monkey, hippo, and of course lion, with the sentences revealing the sounds the animals make each time too. As little ones admire the stunning … Continue reading Brilliant Board Books for Babies from Nosy Crow

All things The Adventure Club with author Jess Butterworth

I absolutely love escaping into the many worlds created by Jess Butterworth, which until recently were middle grade/chapter books for confident readers, and The Adventure Club series has joined my personal collection of Jess' books that I will cherish (many of which have been signed and dedicated to my daughter and myself when we were … Continue reading All things The Adventure Club with author Jess Butterworth

Funny Bums, Freaky Beaks – An Illustrative Insight by Sarah Edmonds

The majority of the work in this book was created digitally, but my process in photoshop is very painterly and textured. I spent a lot of time studying reference and also watching videos on YouTube to understand how each animal moved. I had a constant dialogue with the Welbeck team and authors to ensure that … Continue reading Funny Bums, Freaky Beaks – An Illustrative Insight by Sarah Edmonds

Ready or Not in Five objects by Tracy Darnton

My latest thriller, Ready or Not, has just been published. Teenager Kat goes missing during a game of hide-and-seek on holiday with a group of three families in Cornwall. I tell the story through the eyes of 15-year-old Millie, who’s devastated by the absence of her best friend, Kat. The remaining teenagers all go back … Continue reading Ready or Not in Five objects by Tracy Darnton