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← Back to all Bashabi Fraser Author Scotland, Northern Europe, Southern Asia, India Dr Bashabi Fraser, CBE, HonFASL is an award winning poet and children’s writer. She is the recipient of a CBE (2021 The Queen’s New Year Honours) for Education (her academic work), culture (poetry) and cultural integration (her bridge building projects linking Scotland and India) and was made Honorary Fellow of the Association of Scottish Studies in 2022. She lives in Edinburgh. Q&A Coming soon - watch this space! Connect W: http://bashabifraser.co.uk BOOKS BY Bashabi Fraser A Card for My Mum View book

← Back to all Circle Yuen Author & Illustrator She/ Her Hong Kong, UK, Northern Europe, Eastern Asia Circle Yuen is an award-winning author and illustrator from Hong Kong, now based in the UK. Through her storytelling, she explores universal themes of family, resilience, and social justice. Her work has been longlisted for the 2026 Klaus Flugge Prize. Q&A Tell us something interesting about yourself: Just between us, I haven't forgotten the gymnastics I learned in middle school. Now that I'm a mum of two, I can still use my foot as a phone, pressing it to my ear and competing with my kids to see who's best. Next time I'm at your school to share my picture book, I'll be sure to give a performance! Current job title: Author & Illustrator Tell us your favourite medium for reading: I love reading physical books. The feeling of turning a page and the smell of the paper are simply irreplaceable. As someone with severe myopia, when it comes to e-books, I prefer reading them on a large monitor so I can make the text big enough to read. Tell us your favourite location for reading: My favourite place to read is tucked away in a quiet corner with my bunny, ChaCha. He's three years old, and he loves to lie beside me while I read. It's the coziest spot in the house, perfect for getting lost in a story with a cup of tea and no music on. Book title: Mama’s Wedding. What inspired your creative process in writing or illustrating your book? A very personal place inspired my creative process for Mama's Wedding . About five years ago, as I prepared to remarry, I was searching for a picture book to help me share the news with my daughters. In Asian cultures, it's not always easy to discuss difficult topics like a parent getting remarried. I wish to create books to give courage and hope to every family member. I hope to show that families are held together by love, and this love can take on many wonderful forms. Favourite character or moment from the book – and why? My favourite moment is when Ruby, the main character, finally decides to take Alex's hand as they walk to the wedding arch. She hesitates at first, but after seeing her mother's happy face, she takes a breath and steps forward. This small act of courage represents a huge emotional step for her. It’s a quiet but powerful moment that shows her acceptance and willingness to welcome a new person into her life. What themes or messages does your book raise? Mama's Wedding is a wonderful resource for families, teachers, and children. The book explores several important themes in a gentle and accessible way: Navigating Family Change: It provides a soft and reassuring narrative for children as they navigate major shifts in their family structure, such as a parent's new relationship. Empathy and Understanding: The story encourages children to consider the feelings of their parents and new family members, fostering a sense of empathy and emotional intelligence. The Evolution of Love: It beautifully reassures children that love within a family can take on new and wonderful forms. Resilience and Belonging: Ultimately, the book is about courage and hope. It shows children that they can find a new sense of security and belonging even when their family landscape shifts. These themes make the book a great starting point for discussions in classrooms or at home. How would you describe your artistic or writing style in three words? Tender, heartfelt, and compassionate. What aspect of the story did you most connect with, and how did it shape your illustrations? I connected most with the emotional journey of the characters. Parents going through a “marriage storm” with children often carry a sense of guilt, feeling as though a piece of their child's life is missing. For me, facing remarriage required immense courage, not just to look forward, but also to look back at our shared history. I understand that children's emotions during such family changes can be complex and hard to recognise. They often find it difficult to express their inner thoughts. That's why I infused the illustrations with much of my own experience. I concentrated on subtle yet important details — such as the emotional shift in Ruby's character and the look in her mother's eyes — to craft a story that feels honest and relatable. Materials and techniques used for this book’s illustrations: Mixed media with digital finishing. Favourite illustration – and why? My favourite illustration is the second-to-last page spread. It captures the most crucial moment of the wedding: Ruby is in front, like a little guide, with her flower basket sprinkling petals to bless the path ahead. After my own wedding, I wrote a thank-you card to my daughters that said, “My dear flower girls, I could not say ‘I do’ once again without you walking along with me.” This image isn't just a scene from a wedding; it's a testament to my daughters' support. Connect IG: @circleyuenlokling BOOKS BY Circle Yuen Mama’s Wedding View book

← Back to all Cassie Silva Author She/Her Canada, Northern America Cassie lives near Vancouver, BC, Canada with her partner Jimmy and their daughter Lucy. She loves trips to Disneyland, and attending local plays, musicals and concerts. Listening to the Quiet is her debut picture book. She is also the author of The Fearless Storyteller (2025) and Holiday Hannah (2026). She has been published in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and in The New York Times. Q&A Tell us something interesting about yourself: Cassie moonlighted as a fairy godmother for over a decade. Current job title: Social Worker. Tell us your favourite medium for reading: Cassie has a strong preference for well-loved books that have been read and reread. Tell us your favourite location for reading: In the hammock with a paperback and an iced coffee. How would you describe your identity? Portuguese Canadian. Book title: Listening to the Quiet What inspired your creative process in writing or illustrating your book? I try to remember moments from my childhood that stuck with me and explore what it was that made them special or meaningful. Favourite character or moment from the book – and why? I appreciate how the main character of Jacki is shown to feel what she feels without needing to “fix” it. What themes or messages does your book raise? What is it like when someone close to us loses their hearing, and how can we stay connected? How would you describe your artistic or writing style in three words? Heartfelt, poignant, thought-provoking. Favourite illustration – and why? The spread where Jacki and her mother walk home, holding hands, through the trees. It feels warm and hopeful. Connect IG: @cassiesilvawriting X: @cassieswriting BOOKS BY Cassie Silva Listening to the Quiet View book

← Back to all Chitra Soundar Author India, UK, Southern Asia, Northern Europe Chitra Soundar, author of You're Safe With Me and You're Snug With Me , is an Indian-born British author and storyteller. She has published over 30 books and is inspired by the rich heritage of epics and folktales from India. Q&A Coming soon - watch this space! Connect IG: @chitrasoundar W: https://www.chitrasoundar.com BOOKS BY Chitra Soundar You're Safe With Me View book You're Snug With Me View book You're Strong With Me View book

← Back to all Brigita Orel Author She/Her Slovenia, Southern Europe Brigita Orel is a Slovenian author and translator. She has published numerous short stories and poems in online and print journals. Her work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Q&A Tell us something interesting about yourself: I'm a foodie. Tell us your favourite medium for reading: Print books. Tell us your favourite location for reading: On my sofa. How would you describe your identity? Slovenian. Book title: The Pirate Tree What inspired your creative process in writing or illustrating your book? Watching children making friends, how easy they find it, and how natural it is for them to see beyond differences. Favourite character or moment from the book – and why? My favourite moment is when Agu offers Sam to join her on the tree. What themes or messages does your book raise? Our differences should not divide us but bring us together. How would you describe your artistic or writing style? Heartfelt, lyrical. Connect IG: @brigita_orel BOOKS BY Brigita Orel The Pirate Tree View book

← Back to all Gareth Peter Author UK, Northern Europe Gareth Peter is an author living in Nottingham with his partner and their two adopted children. His experience as a parent within a same-sex couple brings a fresh, funny, and sensitive perspective to parenting and family life. Q&A Coming soon - watch this space! Connect IG: @gareth.peter BOOKS BY Gareth Peter My Mummies Built a Treehouse View book

← Back to all Hannah Carmona Author USA, Northern America Hannah Carmona is a writer, actor, and director who currently resides in Tennessee. Previous titles include Dazzling Travis and Beautiful, Wonderful, Strong Little Me . Hannah is the mother of two girls, co-founder of Collective Art School of Tennessee, and a YouTuber. Q&A Coming soon - watch this space! Connect W: https://hannahcarmona.org BOOKS BY Hannah Carmona Anita and the Dragons View book

← Back to all Irene Vasco Author She/Her Colombia, Southern America Irene Vasco is an award-winning Colombian author. She has devoted much of her life to training readers in remote regions of Colombia, and in 2021, was recognised by the Colombian Ministry of Education for a lifetime of work devoted to education. Q&A Tell us something interesting about yourself: My grand kids think that I am a witch, because I can heal all their pains with my magical words. Tell us your favourite medium for reading: Audio books. Tell us your favourite location for reading: I listen to my books while I walk outside. How would you describe your identity? I am from Colombia, South America. Book title: Letters in charcoal What inspired your creative process in writing or illustrating your book? As a reading promoter, I travel around my country, Colombia, paying attention to stories told by teachers and librarians. Favourite character or moment from the book – and why? The narrator, unnamed, represents the women I’ve met in workshops held in very remote places. What themes or messages does your book raise? I want to show the transformation of a country moving from illiteracy to a culture of reading. How would you describe your artistic or writing style in three words? Realistic. What aspect of the story did you most connect with, and how did it shape your illustrations? Life in an Afro-descendant community. Materials and techniques used for this book’s illustrations: I am not the illustrator. Juan Palomino can answer the question. Favourite illustration – and why? The page where the mother braids the girl's hair carries a meaning of freedom. During the era of slavery, those who escaped built villages surrounded by wooden stakes, known as palenques. Braids were used to trace the routes leading to these palenques. Between the strands of the girls’ braids, seeds were inserted so that the cimarrones—escaped slaves—could grow crops and feed themselves. Connect IG: @irene_vasco W: https://www.irenevasco.com/en/irenevasco BOOKS BY Irene Vasco Letters in Charcoal View book

← Back to all Ian Eagleton Author UK, Northern Europe Ian Eagleton is an education consultant and primary school teacher based in the UK. He is also the founder of The Reading Realm, an educational app for teachers. This is his debut picture book. Q&A Coming soon - watch this space! Connect IG: @ian.eagleton X: @MrEagletonIan BOOKS BY Ian Eagleton Violet's Tempest View book

← Back to all Imogen Foxell Author UK, Northern Europe Imogen Foxell is a writer and artist, based in Oxford, UK. She enjoys inventing imaginary worlds and sketching by the river, alongside her day job of writing dictionaries. This is her debut picture book. Q&A Coming soon - watch this space! Connect IG: @imogenfoxell W: https://www.imogenfoxell.com BOOKS BY Imogen Foxell Maybe You Might View book

← Back to all Izzy Evans Illustrator UK, Northern Europe Izzy Evans lives in a little terraced house in rainy North London, where they pursue numerous interests from science to reading poetry. They draw inspiration from nature, mythology, and the multicultural history of their city to create their work. Q&A Coming soon - watch this space! Connect IG: @izzydoesthings W: https://izzytheillustrator.tumblr.com BOOKS BY Izzy Evans My Mummies Built a Treehouse View book

← Back to all Humera Malik Author She/Her USA, Pakistan, Southern Asia, Northern America Humera Malik is a teacher-turned-writer of Muslim faith and Pakistani roots. She enjoys bringing to life relatable characters that celebrate her South Asian heritage and culture. She currently resides in Arlington, Virginia with her husband and three children. Q&A Tell us something interesting about yourself: I love to travel and have lived in the US, UK, India, Kuwait, and Jordan. I currently reside in Azerbaijan with my husband and three young children. When I am not writing, I enjoy trying new coffee shops, experimenting in the kitchen, and reading. I am represented by Erin Casey Westin of Gallt & Zacker. Current job title: Elementary School Librarian. How would you describe your identity? British American with Pakistani heritage. Tell us your favourite medium for reading: Audiobooks. Tell us your favourite location for reading: Bed. Book title: The Great Henna Party What inspired your creative process in writing or illustrating your book? I wanted to showcase the richness and beauty of South Asian culture, and I thought — what better way to do that than by writing about a henna party, with its vibrant colours, lively music, and delicious food? Favourite character or moment from the book – and why? My favourite part of the book is when Noor’s sister shows her the intricate henna designs on her hands. It brings back memories of my own childhood, attending henna parties, running around with friends, proudly holding out our hands for everyone to admire. What themes or messages does your book raise? Traditions, culture, celebrations, holidays. How would you describe your artistic or writing style in three words? Lyrical, playful, colourful. Connect IG: @humeramalik_author W: https://www.humeramalik.com BOOKS BY Humera Malik The Great Henna Party View book