Booky Hero #1... NICK SHARRATT!

You've perhaps heard of Nick Sharratt. He's very popular with kids. But I feel pretty sure that whether you know the name or not, you'll be familiar with this work. You know Tracy Beaker - the book version, not Dani Harmer? She's drawn by him, as are pretty much all the Jacqueline Wilson books, giving them their distinctive style. (In fact, Wilson and Sharratt are one of the top author/illustrator teams alive today). He's done the Jeremy Strong books, too. And several picture books with Julia Donaldson. In fact, his website lists over 200 books that he's illustrated!

So, if you've got kids, there's no escaping the almighty Nick Sharratt; whose work, to my mind, sits alongside Quentin Blake and Tony Ross (though Sharratt's work is perhaps brighter, cleaner and neater). All three draw with real childlikeness: it's not how children draw, it's how children think they draw, and that's what's so incredibly appealing about them.

And whilst his work illustrating novels is brilliant, it's his picture book work I'd particularly like to draw your attention, because they showcase his skill, talent and humour much more than small black-and-white pictures are able to. Here are my three favourite picture books of his, all repeatedly enjoyed at storytimes, both at the library and at home with my kids.

3. Do Knights Take Naps?, written by Kathy Tucker

This funny book answers questions about knights' lives, in humourous, catchy verses. Read this book to find out whether knights had TV, what they wore, and how they beat the dragon and the Bad Prince! It's not informative, but when it's this fun, it doesn't have to be. Sharratt is the perfect illustrator to show knights who are fearsome warriors on one page, and on another, tucked into bed by their mums for a nap!













2. Eat Your Peas, by Kes Gray.

This laugh-out-loud hilarious tale is about a mum trying to get her daughter to eat her peas. But Daisy doesn't like peas, and has no intention of eating them... no matter what her Mum bribes her with! It's deceptively simple (both the text and the art), and that rare find: a conversational picture book! (See also: The Baby Owl books by Jonathan Allen)

Mum's list of treats she'll give Daisy if she'll just eat her peas grows and grows (from sweets and staying up late, to chocolate factories and not having to go to bed ever again, to Africa and the Moon and stars!). The picture of Daisy zooms in as she gets more stubborn and cross. Parents may disapprove of the ending perhaps, but it's the right ending. In lesser hands, this could be so dull, but as it is, it's a comic masterpiece. And the good news is that it's just the first of a growing number of Daisy books, that are just as fun.


And Number 1....

You Choose, written by Pippa Goodhart






You Choose, along with its sort-of-sequel Just Imagine, are a different type of picture book. Instead of one that tells a story, they get the reader to decide the details for themselves. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Well, anywhere you like! City, seaside, jungle, desert, volcano, space... there's the choice of all that and more, with a picture to accommodate you. Where would you live? If you could choose your family and friends, what would they be like? What would your dream job be? These books are jam-packed full of more ideas than any book that size has any right to be! And whilst my eldest son (still only 5) is apt to pick some selections and stick with them for repeat readings, it doesn't detract from his enjoyment of it.

The sequel, Just Imagine does further into the world of imagination as it invites you to consider the pros and cons of life as a giant or the size of a mouse; what if you were made out of jelly, or were magical; what if you lived underground, or in another period of history? My two year old daughter loves the books, and so do the eight year old school pupils who visit the library on trips.  Clearly lots of other children love it too, because it's just won the York Libraries Best Picture Book Ever Award, beating the likes of The Gruffalo and The Very Hungry Caterpillar! High praise indeed, and a fitting winner.

Well, that's it for now. And I didn't even get to mention Pants, or The Foggy, Foggy Forest, or What's in the Witch's Kitchen?! With a great back catalogue like his, there's always more to enjoy! Long may he continue - and he's surely a good candidate for Children's Laureate once Julia Donaldson ends her reign.



Check out Nick Sharratt's website here.

And of course, all these images are copyright Nick Sharratt.