As We Grow is my fourth book with Caterpillar Books and the wonderful Libby Walden. Libby’s delicate and lyrical words take the reader on a gentle stroll through life’s complicated journey. Using a similar approach to Feelings, we gave each of life’s stages a spread of their own and together explored the perils and joys that come along as we grow. Libby has a startling talent for weaving poetry and prose together to form beautiful little snaps of text which get straight to the heart of things. “Innocent and helpless, so perfect and complete, as fragile as spun sugar and every bit as sweet” is her extraordinary description of a newborn.
I’m so happy how it all came together. Enormous credit must go to the book’s designer Alex Fowler. To Pat and Thomas at Caterpillar for their invaluable knowledge and support and to Arabella, my agent for her guidance and friendship along the way.
Secrets of the Mountain, written by Libby Walden and published by Caterpillar Books, 2018
Winter Dance is written by Marion Dane Bauer and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Bird Builds a Nest is written by Martin Jenkins and published by Walker Books in the United Kingdom and Candlewick Books in the USA
Town Mouse, Country Mouse is written by Libby Walden and published by Caterpillar Books
Some black and white thoughts. Three of my favourite stories here, The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico, Clive King’s Stig of the Dump and The Little Grey Men by BB.
The Squirrels’ Busy Year is written by Martin Jenkins and published by Walker Books in the United Kingdom and Candlewick Press in the the United States
Feelings was written by Libby Walden and published in 2016 by Caterpillar Books
Fish Boy is written by Chloe Daykin and published by Faber and Faber
I can't stop myself making little gifs at the moment...
I challenged myself to make a drawing a day for the month of February. Here they are in order!
A selection of work from different projects over the years
I love The Wind in the Willows. Here's a personal tribute to the most beautiful and enchanting of tales.
Hand's up if you've read and loved BB's The Little Grey Men!
I'm pretty sure I'm happiest when I'm drawing animals wearing neckties.
