Steve Smallman - Children's Author

Steve Smallman lives in Staffordshire with his wife, two dogs and two cats. He has four children and a grandchild. Steve has been illustrating children’s books for almost 30 years and writing his own stories for slightly less. He also teaches illustration workshops in schools, including mural-painting. Steve is the author of Smelly Peter the Great Pea Eater (Winner of the Sheffield Children's Book Award 2009) and The Lamb Who Came for Dinner (Shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book Award and read by Meatloaf on CITV's Bookaboo). When he’s not working, Steve enjoys films, television, gardening and walking in the countryside.

Steve Smallman on Steve Smallman:

I started working as an illustrator when I was in my final year at Art College and now, over 28 years later I still haven't got a proper job! I've illustrated literally hundreds of books, predominantly in educational publishing. A few years ago I was main illustrator for Longman's 'Story Street' reading scheme, illustrating 79 titles and writing 5.

I've worked in children's television, specifically in character development and most notably in the 'Raggy Doll' series in the mid to late 1980's. I have also done a certain amount of licensed work, illustrating characters such as Postman Pat, Bill and Ben and Sesame Street.

I've been described as an 'Animal Artist', not I hasten to add because I'm wild and hairy but because I love to draw animals and especially like to give them human characteristics. 

I've  been writing children's books for about 6 years and have already had several picture books published with more in development.

I've got 4 great children and although they're all adults now, my memories of them growing up inspire and inform my writing.

 

Click here to read a Little Tiger interview with Steve Smallman.

---

Featured Books, with extracts by Steve Smallman

My Dad!
Steve Smallman
Celebrating the unique bond between father and child, My Dad! is a warm and funny book that's perfect for any little one who simply adores their dad - no matter how silly they are! With beautiful rhyming text by the...
Featured in: 3+ readers | 5+ readers | Father's Day
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/05/2013
Info   Extract   Wishlist   Compare Price   Buy

The Monkey with a Bright Blue Bottom
Steve Smallman
What better than a cheeky monkey to enthuse a young child to love books in this bestselling picture book.  This edition comes complete with a CD read by CBBC's Justin Fletcher.  The reading is a great aid to improving reading skills, perfect for bedtime,...
Featured in: Baby and Toddler
Format: Mixed media product - Released: 01/04/2012
Info   Extract   Wishlist   Compare Price   Buy

Icky Little Duckling
Steve Smallman
What a delightful story featuring a rather bemused rabbit who ends up with none other than a duckling in his burrow.  However, rabbit doesn't want duckling to stay but duckling has other ideas.  I wonder if they'll learn to live...
Featured in: 3+ readers | Baby and Toddler
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/02/2012
Info   Extract   Wishlist   Compare Price   Buy

Gruff the Grump
Steve Smallman
Kindness works like a magic charm on the grumpy old Gruff, a growly, grizzly grump of a bear. When Gruff the Grump unexpectedly does something kind and rescues a rabbit stuck in a tree, the rabbit repays him by bringing...
Featured in: 3+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/08/2010
Info   Extract   Wishlist   Compare Price   Buy

Gruff the Grump
Steve Smallman
Kindness works like a magic charm on the grumpy old Gruff, a growly, grizzly grump of a bear. When Gruff the Grump unexpectedly does something kind and rescues a rabbit stuck in a tree, the rabbit repays him by bringing...
Featured in: 3+ readers | Books of the Month
Format: Hardback - Released: 09/08/2009
Info   Extract   Wishlist   Compare Price   Buy

Smelly Peter: The Great Pea Eater
Steve Smallman
Peter, who eats only peas, soon turns green and farts incessantly. It makes him very unpopular at home but luckily he is spotted by a space ship who whisk him away to their alien planet where his greenness and farting...
Featured in: 3+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/01/2009
Info   Extract   Wishlist   Compare Price   Buy