Michael Rosen's The Big Write

Last week, I hosted a Storytelling and Drawing event at Discover Children's Story Centre in Stratford, as part of Michael Rosen's The Big Write festival. This event was produced in partnership with the amazing team at Letterbox Library.

During the event the children learnt how I create my picture book characters and had the chance to create their very own.

Thank you to Discover and Letterbox Library for the invitation. Thank you to the Frances Lincoln Children's Books team for the support on the day. I had the most wonderful time meeting so many exciting young children! It was great to be back in London!

'Hiccups!' - coming May 2016

Eeek! So, it's not long until my next picture book 'Hiccups!' is published with Frances Lincoln Children's Books (Quarto Publishing)... date for the diary is 5th May! 

I thought it would be nice to share a few special facts about this book...

• I created this book for my final major project whilst doing my Masters at Edinburgh College of Art (2012/13)
• It is the first book where I am both the author and illustrator
• The little girl's character is based on my niece
• The dog is based on two cheeky little dogs that I know called Max and Osca

So for many reasons, this book is particularly special for me.

You can pre-order Hiccups! from Waterstones here... https://www.waterstones.com/book/hiccups/holly-sterling/9781847806741

My first copy

Dutch edition

Seven Stories Studio Takeover

In January this year, I was invited by the Seven Stories team to run a Studio Takeover based on my award-winning illustration in the Over the Hills and Far Away book. You can see my illustration currently displayed in the Seven Stories Rhyme Around the World exhibition.

Families were invited to discover how to create African and Maori inspired art in a printmaking activity. We used this artwork to create a large African and Maori art installation in the studio.

We also had a star creation station were families could get involved in lots of cutting and sticking, write a wish on the back, of their decorated star and hang it in our 'night sky'.

Events

Wow! It has been a good while since I last posted something on my blog - sorry! There has been so much going on recently, it has become hard to keep up-to-date.

As well as writing and illustrating book for children, I also enjoy working with children and adults in organised events. These can vary from festivals, to library and academic establishments. Here are a few of my favourite snaps from events towards the end of last year... yes, I'm that out-of-date!!!

YLG Conference, Glasgow

Sunderland Literature Festival

Northern Children's Book Festival