Little something...

The weather isn't the best in the UK right now, but here's a new illustration to warm us up a little.

Crossing the Tees Festival

I'm looking forward to my first event at Crossing the Tees: The Book Festival for the Tees Valley next Friday. This is a Girls Only (11 - 16years) event and will be hosted at the fabulous Stockton Central Library. Look forward to meeting some lovely ladies and getting stuck into some illustration activities!

Further information about the event...

Lipstick Library VIP Girls Only Event with author and illustrator Holly Sterling

Date: Friday 24th June

Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Location: Stockton Central Library
Cost: £2 / Booking Essential
Suitable for girls aged 11 – 16

At this exclusive event you can take part in an illustration workshop with Holly and there will be henna, hair braiding, temporary tattoos, nail painting (£1.50), crafts, competitions and an exclusive free goodie bag for everyone who attends!

The twitter name for Crossing the Tees is @CrossingtheTees 

The twitter name for Stockton Libraries is @stocktonlibrary 

Crossing the Tees website http://www.crossingthetees.org/

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

CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal nomination

Over the moon to find out that '15 Things Not to do with a Baby', written by Margaret McAllister and illustrated by me, has been nominated for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2016.

The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people. To be a nominee alongside such talented illustrators is an absolute honour.

Thank you to Frances Lincoln Children's Books for believing in Margaret's story and me as a new illustrator!! Thank you to Kathryn Ross from Fraser Ross Associates, for being the best agent in the world... And of course a HUGE thank you to the CILIP members for putting our book forward for this award.