James Mayhew
Born in 1964, James Mayhew grew up in Suffolk, and studied illustration at Maidstone College of Art, graduating in 1987 with first class honours. His first book for children Katie’s Picture Show was published in 1989, beginning his million-selling series of books introducing the work of famous artists to children.
James has now published over fifty books for children, ranging from Shakespearean anthologies (To Sleep, Perchance to Dream; Shakespeare‘s Storybook), to grand opera (Stories from the Opera) and most recently ballet, with the Ella Bella Ballerina series.
He has illustrated works by many well known contemporary writers, for example Philippa Pearce, Elisabeth Beresford, Martin Waddell and Joyce Dunbar. He was awarded the New York Times Book Illustration Prize in 1994 for Jenny Koralek’s The Boy and the Cloth of Dreams.
As a writer, James enjoys creating texts for other illustrators, including Who wants a Dragon? for Lindsey Gardiner (short listed for the Sheffield Children‘s Book Award). He is also an experienced storyteller, and has devised and performed a unique series of classical music concerts for children with narration, live illustration, and a full orchestra.
James is invited to speak internationally at schools and at Literary and Arts festivals and has taught courses on writing for the Arvon Foundation. He also teaches illustration at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.
Forthcoming projects include new Katie and Ella Bella titles.
James is a member of the Art Worker’s Guild and the Society of Authors and lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and son.