Hannah Shaw

As a child

I was born in Laurie Lee's Slad Valley in the early 80's. My childhood was idyllic, I was the oldest of four and we grew up surrounded by beautiful countryside. My dad is a Graphic designer and letterpress printer and my mum used to paint. I was quite a bossy big sister and I was always getting my siblings into trouble. We loved being outdoors and never had a T.V. so we were often forced to use our imaginations to amuse ourselves. My mum loves animals and that has rubbed off on us. One of my sisters is also an illustrator, we had lots of freedom to be creative as children.

As an adult

I studied Illustration at the University of Brighton and graduated in 2004. At first I was unsure about the direction to take as I hadn't specialised in children's books at college. However, my love of making books and passion for narrative soon took hold and I haven't really looked back.

As an artist

I now live back in Gloucestershire near my family with my Blacksmith husband, I have a young daughter and work from home, often at the dining table or in the garden or kitchen. I used to have a studio but I'm not the kind of person who enjoys sitting and working in one room! I have a work 'cupboard' where I keep all my drawings and materials, it's usually full to bursting. My own picture books are Evil Weasel, Erroll and School for Bandits. I've illustrated five picture books for Sean Taylor- Crocodiles are the best animals of all, The Grizzly Bear with the Frizzly Hair, Who ate Auntie Iris, We have lift off! And the yet to published World Famous Cheese Shop Break-in. I've also illustrated The Sleep Sheep by Anna Mcquinn and The Disgusting Sandwich by Gareth Edwards My own recent fiction series is Stan Stinky Sewer Hero and Stan Stinky vs the Sewer Pirates. I have illustrated a number of other fiction books such as the Hamster Massacre series by Katie Davies and the Casper Candlewacks series by Ivan Brett as well as The Fabulous Phartlehorn Affair by M.L Peel. I am very pleased to have been able to illustrate the Sophie books by Dick King-Smith as I loved them as a child.

Things you didn’t know about Hannah Shaw

1. I have a special drawing pen
2. I've been a vegetarian all my life
3. I love very hot curries!
4. I enjoy the sport of dog agility and used to compete.
5. I have a dog who has been doing dog agility for 4 years and still doesn't really 'get it!'
6. I can't knit, however hard I try- sorry granny!
7. I hate the cold weather
8. Unless there is snow, I love sledging!
9. My favourite animals to draw have pointy noses
10. I'm quite competitive but get embarrassed when I win things!