Back in 1994, the children’s poetry editor at Faber, Jane Feaver, asked if I would like to edit an anthology for very young children. I imagined this as read-along book, to be shared by adults and children, with the poems spoken aloud as I was doing at that time with my four-year old son, Orlando (who much later became my co-author on Writers’ Letters) – the strange words laughed and puzzled over, the rhythms enjoyed for themselves.
Since The Grasshopper Laughs (a lovely phrase I borrowed from a poem by William Blake), I have written three books for children, all of them – like The Grasshopper – collaborations with marvellously original and gifted illustrators. When I’m working on even thoroughly researched and factual adult books, I tend to think visually as much as verbally, so these collaborations, in which words and pictures live a shared life, have a very special place in my work.
Dear Vincent
Thames & Hudson, 2024 (with illustrations by Ella Beech)
A Times Book of the Year 2024 & Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2025 BRAW Amazing Bookshelf choice
Vincent is fed up with life in the grey city, but things are about to change! With the support of his loving brother Theo, Vincent sets off on a journey to the ‘Sunny South’. There he will discover new and inspiring places and make new friends. But will he be able to paint the picture of his dreams?
A heart-warming snapshot of a happy and creative period in Van Gogh’s life, this story focuses on the bond between two brothers, and how Theo’s support and encouragement helped Vincent to reach his full artistic potential.’I adored Dear Vincent, a dazzling biography of Vincent van Gogh by Michael Bird and illustrator Ella Beech playfully told through letters to the artist’s brother’
This book is an absolute gem, with a great understanding of its audience … Beech’s exquisite artwork is characterful and warm, conjuring up the well-known visual elements of Van Gogh’s life, from his gingery beard to his blue bedroom, and of course those majestic sunflowers, while never falling into pastiche
ObserverI adored Dear Vincent, a dazzling biography of Vincent van Gogh by Michael Bird and illustrator Ella Beech playfully told through letters to the artist’s brother.
Imogen Carter, Observer Children’s Books of the Year
Vincent’s Starry Night and Other Stories: A Children’s History of Art
Laurence King Publishing, 2016 (with illustrations by Kate Evans)
Forty thousand years of art in sixty-eight stories, from the cave painters to Chauvet to Ai Wei Wei. First published in English in 2016, it has been translated into twenty languages.
One of the best children’s non-fiction books I’ve read for years, this fantastic story collection explores the lives of some of the world’s most famous artists. The stories are by turns exciting, intriguing, emotional and mysterious … Meticulously well-researched and utterly delightful.
Jennifer Bell, Sunday Best Children’s Book of the Week
Vincent’s Starry Night and Other Stories is really rather wonderful. From its enchanting classic picture book style illustrations, to its enthralling stories and global tour throughout art and its history, it is an unforgettable way to introduce young readers to the lives and works of history’s greatest artists.
Emma Oliver, Life As It Is
The Grasshopper Laughs: A Faber Book of First Verse
Faber and Faber, 1996 (with illustrations by Andrew Stooke)
Poems to share and read aloud with young children, including traditional verses from Britain, Russia, America, Africa and the Caribbean, and both well-loved and less familiar poems by Shakespeare, Keats, Charles Causley, Dylan Thomas, Emily Dickinson and many other poets.
Ostensibly for smaller people, but really for everyone … A lovely collection, all joyously huddled together, higgledy piggledy.
Nina Bawden, Evening Standard
The Grasshopper Laughs is beautifully illustrated and will be loved for years and years.
Guardian
Cornwall Activity Book
Tate Publishing, 1997 (with illustrations by Mark Foreman)
My collaboration with the illustrator Mark Foreman was Tate St Ives’ first publication for children and families. My own children were still very young, which made the project a marvellous excuse to explore our new surroundings in Cornwall and try out games and stories for the book.