I’m very happy to announce that I was shortlisted for the Hachette Children’s Novel Award 2020 in partnership with New Writing North (part of the Northern Writers’ Awards). I didn’t win, but it was a wonderful thrill to make the shortlist!
Character Illustrations for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
A few months ago I had the pleasure of working with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust again, this time illustrating characters for a quiz to find out which Shakespearean character you most resemble.
There are some pretty dark and interesting characters - Game of Thrones has nothing on the Bard!
Why not take the quiz yourself. Apparently I'm Cleopatra!
https://wh.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=157528368620
Sample Illustration
Here's a detail from a sample illustration that I recently completed. The chaotic kitchen was so much fun to draw!
Sketchbook Snippets
Here are a few characters I’ve been sketching lately.
Parental Illustration Duties
This weekend I squeezed in an illustration to promote a scarecrow trail at my son’s school. I’m working on a new, very enjoyable project for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust at the moment, which I look forward to sharing soon!
New Children's Range for Westminster Abbey
This project was SO much fun; illustrating kings and queens of the past for a new children’s range available from Westminster Abbey’s shop. If you fancy temporary tattoos, t-shirts, iron-on patches or even a micro jigsaw with my illustrations on, you can find them here.
Family Trail for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries
Better late than never... Here's the finished family trail that I illustrated in summer 2018 for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries at Westminster Abbey, once again working with their fabulous Learning team. It was beautifully designed by Cartlidge Levene and is modelled by my four-year-old son, who was paid a fee of one chocolate coin for his work. (Photos by my better half, Gareth Brew.)
Westminster Abbey Family Day, October 2019
Here's a lovely project that I designed and illustrated for Westminster Abbey's family day back in October, marking 750 years since the consecration of Henry III’s Abbey Church. Working with the Abbey's brilliant Learning team, we highlighted various members of staff and their roles, encouraging visitors to engage with the Abbey as a living church.
Timmy, Brian and Lisa
It was a pleasure to create this illustration of Timmy, Brian and Lisa - three beautiful Jack Russells. Canine portraiture was new territory for me, it was a fun challenge!
Victoria 200
My first hand-drawn map! It was a delight to design and illustrate this trail for Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth. I had so much fun drawing all of the details, especially on the statues. Hopefully many families have had just as much fun exploring the royal trail this summer!
New Illustrations for Westminster Abbey
Here's a lovely little project that I recently completed - the cover illustration for Westminster Abbey's 2018/19 family events programme.
Westminster Abbey Family Trail
Very happy to introduce this bunch! They'll be embarking on adventures around Westminster Abbey as part of its brand new family trail. It's going to be launched this Saturday as part of the Abbey's action-packed Family Day. If you're in London with little ones then come along!
The Klaus Flugge Prize
I'm brimming with happiness to have been longlisted for Most Exciting Newcomer to Picture Book Illustration in the inaugural Klaus Flugge Prize, along with some of my friends' wonderful books! Hurrah!
You can read more about it on The Guardian http://bit.ly/1WJSp6G or The Bookseller http://bit.ly/2109Xvq
Never too young for books!
My friends kindly sent me pics of their beautiful daughter Cara reading The Jar of Happiness. So lovely!
A little character I've been getting to know...
Reviews for The Jar of Happiness
It’s been wonderful reading reviews of The Jar of Happiness over the past few weeks! Here are a few...
“A beguiling story, beautifully told. But woven throughout are all sorts of empowering, encouraging and essential subtleties, making this a particularly perfect picture book”
“This is a delightful and whimsical little story… Certainly if a jar of happiness won't cheer you up a bit, then this fabulous little book certainly will! We love the positive message this book relays”
“This is a simple, but powerful story”
“With its warm-hearted feel, this is a lovely snuggle-up-together and share with a young child kind of book”
“A beautiful book of a good size with simple effective illustrations and a message which is useful for anyone living with or working with young children who are developing their own emotions and coping strategies… I would definitely give this a 5/5 score for overall value, presentation and quality”
“The pictures convey the emotions of the story to perfection”
“A wonderful book…that prompted a lovely conversation with Mr D at bedtime talking about what sort of things make him happy, or make me happy”
Barbara (Basya) Karp
“What a treasure this book is. Ailsa Burrows teaches a marvelous lesson: how one child can make a positive difference in the lives of others, and how those she touches give back happiness when she needs it most. The talented British author’s vibrant, imaginative illustrations bring Meg’s story to life. Endearing details like the band of stuffed animals accompanying Meg with their musical instruments are priceless. This story, like Meg’s jar, is sure to spread joy wherever it is read.”
The Jar of Happiness in Waterstones
I was delighted to spot The Jar of Happiness in Waterstones at the weekend - just in time for Christmas shopping!
Happy Days!
The Jar of Happiness is officially out today! Hooooray! You can order it from various websites including Amazon or from your local bookshop :-) Happy reading!
A Bit of Colour
It might be another grey day outside but happily I'm surrounded by colour, busily working on the illustrations for my first picturebook, which is due to be published in the spring. Watch this space for more details!
Logo Design
Here's a logo design that I completed a couple of weeks ago for international photographer Jan Hillnhütter. It was a fun project; Jan was a great client and a pleasure to work with! I've been busy working on a couple of other projects so watch this space to find out more soon...
