Over the next six months, Nadia Shireen will be BookTrust’s new Writer-Illustrator in Residence. Through blogs and events, she will focus on the importance of inclusive representation in children’s books, as well as why funny books are fantastic for children.
Nadia, who takes over from Taran Matharu, is well known for writing and illustrating books such as The Cow Who Fell to Earth and The Bumblebear.
Other former Writers in Residence include Cressida Cowell, Patrick Ness, Bali Rai, Matt Haig, Laura Dockrill, Chris Riddell, Sarah McIntyre and Phil Earle.
The residency encourages each writer or illustrator to explore topics that they are passionate about, with past residents exploring themes such as the power of stories and the importance of libraries.
Independent bookshop Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights in Bath is engaging Lizzy Stewart as an ‘illustrator in residence’ during this year’s Bath Children’s Literature Festival.For the week starting 3rd October, Stewart will base herself in the shop, giving “people the chance to see what she’s up to”, said owner Nic Bottomley.“The idea, which we conceived with Lizzy’s agent Suresh Ariaratnam, was to give her space in the shop where she can continue her work as an illustrator,” he said. “People will be able to see what she’s working on at the moment.”
