James Mayhew was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire in 1964. James studied illustration at Maidstone College of Art graduating in 1987 with first class honours. James is keen to involve children in music and art and his enthusiasm for his subjects and sense of fun come across very strongly to young audiences. He visits many schools, libraries and bookshops and enjoys involving children in activities such as mural painting and a variety of art and literature based projects. He also teaches degree students at Anglia Polytechnic University.

James first book for children was Katie's Picture Show which began a series of art books for younger children, described by The Times as a "brilliant concept". Katie and the Bathers sees Katie spending a lazy summer's day in Pointillist paintings. Katie returns in Katie and the Spanish Princess, where a trip to the art gallery provides inspiration for Katie's birthday party and an excursion into some popular and recognisable paintings from the Spanish School. James illustrates texts by some of our most contemporary writers including Elisabeth Beresford and Joyce Dunbar. In 1994 he received the New York Times Award for one of the ten best illustrated books of the year for The Boy and the Cloth of Dreams written by Jenny Koralek. James books have been published all over the world, from Japan and Korea, through Germany, France, Spain and Scandinavia to America. He has exhibited his work throughout Hertfordshire and in Cambridge, London, Paris and New York.

As well as having a talent for illustration, James is interested in Art History, photography, classical music and opera, particularly Russian Nationalist Opera and Italian Bel Canto Opera. He has illustrated a number of programmes for the Kirov Opera, St Petersburg, and in 1998 was commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera, New York, to design a series of tee-shirts for the Kirov's season there. He also enjoys collecting 78RPM records and antique gramophones.

He is taking part in Wateraid's 'Sunflower Challenge 2003' - supported by the National Day Nurseries Association. For more information about this visit the Wateraid site using this link

James lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and son.

Bibliography

Picture Books Katie and the Bathers Katie and the Dinosaurs Katie and the Mona Lisa Katie and the Sunflowers Katie in London Katie Meets the Impressionists Katie's Picture Show Katie and the Spanish Princess Who Wants a Dragon? (Illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner)

Tales of Ghostly Ghouls and Haunting Horrors (Written by Martin Waddell) Boneless and the Tinker Death and the Neighbours Gallows Hill Soft Butler's Ghost

Copyright © 2006: The Watts Publishing Group.