The dog days of Summer have passed and doggies have been much on mind – along with some wolves – this year. For several years I’ve been involved in the Black Shuck Festival in Bungay, Suffolk, where I live. Here we have some incredible local folk-lore, the story of The Black Dog Bungay, sometimes known […]
Category: News
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A Symphony Of Stories
The long-awaited companion to the best-selling “Once Upon A Tune” is almost here! After a few delays with printing/shipping, “A Symphony Of Stories” will be published on November 14th! The book will be launched on 13 October, slightly ahead of the official publication date, with a spectacular orchestral concert at the RNCM. You can buy […]
The Frog’s Kiss
Wow! Last week saw the publication of “The Frog’s Kiss” – co-authored and co-illustrated with my husband Toto Martinez. Loosely inspired by the story of The Frog Prince, it tells the tale of a sad lonely frog in search of something to make his heart skimp a beat. The book was launched with a fab […]
Pictures at an Exhibition with RSNO
Greetings from Scotland – and on my birthday too! I wanted to write something about this last weekend to be sure it’s captured and not forgotten. Alongside the schools’ tour of “Once Upon A Tune” with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, it was also arranged for me to join them for two performances of Mussorgsky’s […]
Once Upon A Tune ON TOUR!
It’s been a thrilling few weeks, preparing for and beginning the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s tour of “Once Upon A Tune” across Scotland. This has coincided with the news that “Once Upon A Tune” has been long-listed for the Yoto Carnegie medal for illustration, 2023. Only 18 books made this list, so I’m absolutely thrilled […]
Nen & the Lonely Fisherman wins major award
On November 15th 2022, Nen and the Lonely Fisherman was awarded the inaugural Children’s & YA Polari Prize. This is the only LGBTQi+ award in the UK and one of the biggest awards of it’s kind in the world. Created by Paul Burston and the Polari Literary Salon in 2011, this year a Children’s & […]
Concert Catch Up!
It’s been a busy year, and wonderful to be back with audiences after the lockdowns in the COVID pandemic. I think we all appreciate the real world more, and my admiration for musicians, who have fought to survive these difficult times, is boundless. Most concerts this year have been celebrations of my book “Once Upon […]
Gaspard’s Christmas
Author Zeb Soanes first mentioned a possible Christmas book several years ago, a touching tale with real heart. How wonderful that this week it came to fruition as “Gaspard’s Christmas”, the 4th title in the Gaspard The Fox series, illustrated by me. As it turned out, I was illustrating snowy London streets in the Summer, […]
Hay hay!
Lots to catch up on, and time for some news I think. Yesterday I had a fabulous day at the Hay Book Festival, presenting a packed out concert for Once Upon A Tune, with a gorgeous quartet, on the stunning “Starlight Stage”! Emily (Harp), Emily (Flute), Matt (‘Cello) and Jenny (French Horn) – AKA – […]
ONCE UPON A TUNE
It’s PUBLISHED! After a very long wait, here is “Once Upon A Tune”! It started with a trip to the cinema, when I was 4. The film was Fantasia, and I was terrified! The Sorcerer’s Apprentice! Night on Bare Mountain, with the demons and dead souls! I was rooted to my seat. Yet I longed […]
