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.

'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

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.

Hiccups! proofs are in..!

Photo of the Hiccups! proofs

Hurrah!! They are in!

I was very happy to recently receive the colour proofs for my next picture book with Frances Lincoln. The title of this book is 'Hiccups!', and it is the very first book where I am both the author and illustrator... eek!!

This little story was inspired by two special people and two special dogs in my life... My niece May and her dog Max, and my bestie Beth and her dog Osca.

Without giving too much away, the story follows the two main characters who are working through a rather irritating/tricky issue together. As inspired be the relationship between May and Max, and Beth and Osca, it's all about the strong bond between the two of them... and you can find out a little more when it comes out in Spring 2016...

To be continued...

Summer Reading Challenge has started!!!

Both myself and author Margi McAllister are very excited and proud to have '15 Things Not to do with a Baby' included in this year's list for the Summer Reading Challenge run by The Reading Agency. This is the UK's biggest reading promotion for children. Those participating could have the opportunity to become a Guinness World Record title holder.

You can sign up for this year's challenge by popping into your local library, selecting six books of your choice, collecting stickers and other awards along the way.

If you live in Sunderland, you can check out See it do it, to stay up-to-date with events taking place at libraries across the city.

And don't forget to grab a read of '15 Things Not to do with a Baby', of course.  :)

Happy Reading!! x

The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday

On a journey from Sunderland to Liverpool last Sunday, I was extremely happy to receive messages on social media telling me that I was in The Independent, with 15 Things Not to do with a Baby being listed as one of the '12 Best Children's Books of 2015'.

I've been totally overwhelmed with people's responses to my first picture book and this news has absolutely topped it off... with a full spread in the paper and a HUGE image from the book. It is such an honour to be amongst talent such as David Walliams, Tony Ross, Jacqueline Wilson, Nick Sharratt and Sally Gardner.

Here is the review of the book in the article...

Review by Rebecca Davis, Saturday 28 March 2015

Older brothers and sisters will appreciate Margaret McAllister and Holly Sterling’s 15 Things Not to Do with a Baby (Frances Lincoln, £11.99), a humorous take on the conflicting emotions that younger siblings can inspire.

The 15 illustrated tips range from not letting the baby play with an elephant to more worryingly-plausible suggestions, such as not wrapping the baby in brown paper with a view to popping him or her in the post. It also offers a few handy hints about what you should do with a baby and will prove a useful tool in teaching toddlers the benefits of caring and sharing.

15 Things Not to do with a Baby's list of achievements to-date: 

• Books for Keeps - Book of the week in January
• Books for Keeps - New Talent
• Book Trust - Books we like: February 2015
• The Reading Challenge - Listed book for the Summer Reading Challenge
• The Independent - Listed as one of the 12 Best Children's Books of 2015

Included in the Summer Reading Challenge 2015

I am happy to announce that my first picture book, 15 Things Not to do with a Baby (written by Margaret McAllister and published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books) has been selected for this year's book collection for the Summer Reading Challenge 2015, Record Breakers.

There are two lists - one for younger children and one for older readers. You will find 15 Things in the collection for younger readers (ages 4-7).

The Summer Reading Challenge is the UK's largest reading event for children and is organised by the charity The Reading Agency. If you would like your children to be involved in this year's challenge, pop into your local library, sign up, select your six book titles and collect stickers and other rewards along the way. You can do all of this for FREE... so go and get signed up!!!

Happy reading!

Illustration Friday - Sea

Full illustration

Close up

Noah and Bear having more fun together this Christmas.

Illustration Friday - Smooth

"I'm going to brush your tail until it is silky smooth," said the little girl.

KUGB Christmas Cards 2014

Earlier in the year, I decided to use my illustration/design skills to help raise funds in support of the KUGB's (Karate Union of Great Britain) England Squad. There are 16 cards in each pack (4 of each design) and will be available at KUGB events for £3.99 per pack.

There are a limited number available so please take this opportunity to get them while stocks last and help to support our England Karate Squad competing at the European Championships in Zurich at the end of the year.

A year on - ECA Degree Show 2014

Reunited with some of my ECA studio pals.  

Cate James drawing 'What dinosaurs get up to' in Hannah Botma's exhibition space.

It is so scary to think that it has been a whole year since I finished my Master of Fine Art degree.

So much has happened in the space of a year: I have had one book published with Walker Books, my illustration for the Seven Stories 'Over the Hills and Far Away' book is set to be published in October of this year, I have recently finished my first full picture book with Frances Lincoln (tbp in January 2015) and I am working for Paper Dove greeting card company in the North East of England.

I recently went back to Edinburgh for opening night of the Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show 2014. It was amazing to be back in the best city in world and to catch up with all of my lovely friends.

Well done to all of those who have just finished their studies... with a special mention to my illustration friends Hannah Botma and Jessica Kettle. It was a fabulous show!

I'm excited to see where we all are this time next year!

Sara Ogilvie Workshop at Paper Dove

Sara showing the group her prints and explaining about her working process.

Paper Dove designer, Caroline Gordon getting stuck in with mono-printing. 

My experimental mono-prints based on Sara's beautiful Russian Dolls.

Sketchbook development from Sara's new book 'Meet the Parents'.

Last week at Paper Dove was full of fun and excitement with a visit from my favourite illustrator, Sara Ogilvie (the illustrator of 'Dog don't do Ballet'). 

I first met Sara at the 'Take Five Illustrators' exhibition opening in 2012 at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh, whilst studying for my masters degree at Edinburgh College of Art. Since then I have been fortunate to work with her at other talks and workshops at both Seven Stories and Edinburgh College of Art. This time I'm lucky enough to work with her at my new workplace.

During the morning session, Sara gave an inspiring talk about us where she finds inspiration, her creative process, her approaches to different creative projects and creating books for children.

After lunch we had a messy session in the print room, experimenting with the potential of mono-printing and screen-printing. As a group we came up with some interesting characters based on some observational drawings of Sara's collection of old toys.

I am looking forward to arranging her next visit soon!

Paper Dove Studio

It has been a tough start to the year with completing my first picture book for Frances Lincoln Publishers. Whilst it has been a wonderful experience working with such amazing people, I must say that I am happy to finally be catching up on some sleep! 

It has obviously been a while since I updated my blog, so I thought I would start by sharing some of the recent artwork that the design team have been creating in the Paper Dove studio. Here are a few visuals of sketches and original artwork made in a variety of different media.

New Job at Paper Dove

At the beginning of September I started a new job as a designer at Paper Dove Company in Northumberland. This amazing company creates innovative, tailored designs exclusively for charities in the UK and Europe.

The artwork that we have to produce is so varied, from cute 'children's booky' animals to painterly religious scenes. Charities who I have been creating work for include RNLI, Tearfund, PDSA, Leukaemia, RSPB and Sue Ryder.

Unfortunately the designs I create this year won't be for sale until next year as we have to work so far in advance, but watch this space!

Macmillan Prize 2013

I am finally updating my blog! It has been so busy with the degree show but here is a little post about the Macmillan Prize 2013. 

I was extremely happy to hear that I was awarded Highly Commended for the prize this year, for my picture book 'Hiccups!' This is a book that I have enjoyed writing and illustrating as one of my main projects during my masters course at Edinburgh College of Art (2011-2013). 

Here are a couple of photographs from the private view of the exhibition which was held at the Foyles Bookshop Gallery in May.

ECA Degree Show Preparations 2

Some of my pieces waiting to be hung.

Eilidh Muldoon painting her table for the show. 

Philip Longson planning his layout for the wall space.

Eilidh Muldoon with her first pieces up and hanging.

One of our little MFA1 helpers, Jessica Kettle who dares to be sleeping in my bed.

Over the Hills and Far Away Competition

I am very happy to announce that I have just WON the Seven Stories and Frances Lincoln national illustration competition, 'Over the Hills and Far Away.' My artwork will be included in a new nursery rhyme collection to be published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books in the Autumn of 2014.

This anthology is a fresh and inclusive collection of nursery rhymes that has be gathered together from cultures across the English speaking world. Children and families will be introduced to the many diverse voices that speak to the very young in verse - offering readers new sounds, new sights and new ways with words.

The double page spread that I chose to illustrate was an African American and a Maori lullaby. Elizabeth Hammill (Co-founder of Seven Stories) stated that my artwork 'subtly and distinctively wove the two verses together by capturing a night that, like the father's embrace, is immersive and comforting and a place for imaginings of the possibilities that the galloping horses offer. There is a tenderness too in the father/baby relationship that is true and moving. The father/child are both specific to these rhymes but absolutely universal too.'

The collection will also include some 70 illustrators from across the English speaking world including: Michael Foreman, Robert Ingpen, Shirley Hughes, Jane Ray, Bob Graham,
Nick Sharett, Eric Carle, Axel Scheffler, Shaun Tan, Emily Gravett, Catherine Rayner,
Polly Dunbar, Sara Ogilvie, Jessica Ahlberg, Mini Grey, Yasmeen Ismail, Joel Stewart,
John Lawrence and Kevin Waldron.

Illustration Friday - Farewell

I am in my final two weeks of my masters course at Edinburgh College of Art and although it is the craziest time of my life, I was determined to take a bit of time out to enter a Illustration Friday sketch this week.

Here is my happy 'baby-farewell' for you. See you again soon!

Pre Degree Show (part 1)

Caroline, Eilidh and Alice working hard on a Saturday.

Eilidh Muldoon creating a new repeat pattern.

Alice Spicer's fabulous paper-cut-fish.

Philip Longson starting a new piece for the degree show.

I hope you enjoy these few photos from the  MFA (Master of Fine Art) Studio Space. Keep an eye out for more photos as we lead up to the degree show.

Opening night

Me with one of two of my favourite characters.

Eilidh Muldoon, adding the finishes touches to her exhibition space.

Cate James, adding the finishing touches to her exhibition space. 

Kasia Matyjaszek with her cheeky friend at the opening night.

Helen Coburn with one of her illustrations at the opening night.

Friends from Edinburgh College of Art at the opening night.

Here are a few snap shots of the 'Surrounded by Stories' opening night. 

I would like to say a big thank you to the wonderful illustrators who were apart of this wonderful event... it was a pleasure to work and exhibit with you. Also, a big thank you to North Edinburgh Arts for the wonderful exhibition space.

If you haven't yet had the opportunity to pop down to the exhibition, you still have time. It is open until the 2nd February. Hope you enjoy it!