| Guy Parker-Rees was born in Zimbabwe and came to England when he was three. He gained a degree in English and Philosophy at York University before going on to found "Art Attack", a mural painting co-operative running workshops and play schemes. His next career move was to work as an Art and Crafts teacher at a Cardiff Hospital, working with people with learning difficulties. He then went on to set up an Art Therapy Department, for people with mental health problems. |
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Since 1989, Guy has been a freelance illustrator, working mainly on children's books - he
has illustrated over forty to date. His first book, No Such Thing As Monsters, was
published by David Bennett Books in 1993. Since then he has written and illustrated books
for Oxford University Press, Hodder Children's Books, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Egmont,
Random House, Walker Books, Heinemann, Ladybird and Orchard Books.
The illustrations in Giraffes Can't Dance, (written by Giles Andreae) touched many people and have made Gerald the giraffe a real hero. Giraffes Can't Dance was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards in 2002. The new title from this award winning team is an uplifting tale of a chimpanzee who spreads seeds of happiness. Guy's entertaining illustrations bring The Chimpanzees of Happy Town to life. |
Guy has also illustrated Down by the Cool of Pool and, more recently, Come to Tea on Planet Zum-Zee (written by Tony Mitton) and K is for Kissing a Cool Kangaroo (written by Giles Andreae).
Most recently, Guy has teamed up once again with Tony Mitton to give us All Afloat on Noah's Boat, a vibrant rhyming romp based on the traditional bible story.
Guy's lively illustrations add warmth and colour to Karen Wallace's appealing new young fiction series, Monster Mountain. Look out for more from Thunderbelle and her friends in 2007!
Another fantastic title not to miss is Tigers Love to Say Goodnight publishing in March 2007.
Guy Parker-Rees lives and works in Brighton.
"Brilliant use of colour and a continual sense of movement and high good humour make this picture book richly enjoyable" - Carousel
"One of the most exciting young artists in the children's book world." - The Rough Guide to Children's Books
Questions and Answers
What are your favourite children's books?
I have always loved Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.
And for bounce, exuberance and fun, it's hard to beat any Dr Seuss book.
Which famous person would you like to meet and why?
I would love to meet Nelson Mandela. He said "You shouldn't try to
change other people, you should change yourself and let it shine". He certainly shines
(and I don't just mean his shirts).
What is your perfect sandwich?
After many years' research and experimentation, I have in fact
discovered the best sandwich in the world EVER. It's tuna with mayonaise, lime, chilli,
lettuce and tomato on granary bread. It's best eaten with friends under a tree, in the middle
of a long wet walk up a mountain.
Which animal would you like to be and why?
Elephant, of course, because they're big, strong, wise and generally
peace-loving (and they can squirt water out of their noses).
What is your earliest childhood memory?
When I was about two years old, my older brothers took me with them on
a raid. We nabbed a loaf of bread from the kitchen, smuggled it out and sat behind a bush in
the garden. We then scooped out and ate the fluffy bit in the middle. It tasted delicious:
it was exciting to be naughty.
Bibliography
| Picture Books written by Giles Andreae The Chimpanzees of Happytown Giraffes Can't Dance K is for Kissing a Cool Kangaroo
Picture Books written by Tony Mitton
Picture Book written by Alan Durant
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Picture Book written by Richard Waring Ducky Dives In!
Picture Books written by Sue Mongredien
Young Fiction written by Karen Wallace |
| Copyright © 2006: The Watts Publishing Group. |