Big Bug, Little Bug

For the last thirty years I have been working as an Illustrator, Author and Designer. I've designed and illustrated everything from glove puppets to teapots, wrapping paper to greetings cards. The last twenty years have been spent deep in the world of children's books and publishing, which I love. There are some great characters in the world of children's publishing and I have been very lucky to meet many of them. I have enjoyed success in many countries and have had great fun.

I'm a little kid at heart, so the silliness and fun that can be had between the covers of a children's book is irresistible. I love playing with words, I'm hard at work finishing a silly fish book, ONE BIG FAT FISH, which is a real tongue twister.

I suspect that I am best known for my dinosaurs. Like so many kids, I have always drawn dinosaurs, so DINOSAUR ROAR! was enormous fun to create - a cast of crazy dino characters in ridiculous colours. They have really been taken to heart and have enjoyed success all round the globe. TEN TERRIBLE DINOSAURS followed, as did SWAMP STOMP, my first dinosaur pop up book, then DINOSAURS GALORE and A NUMBER of DINOSAURS.

But it’s not just dinosaurs: I have created many books aimed at truck, digger and tractor mad children, such as TRUCK JAM and BIG DIG. Then there was the three years spent creating the fabulously detailed interiors of The CHRISTMAS BEAR and The CHRISTMAS WORKSHOPS...

I have just finished a book with a very dramatic pop up for the finale, called BIG BUG LITTLE BUG. Many of the books I've mentioned are pop up books, which I love. I was inducted into the arcane world of paper engineering whilst working with my American publisher and have not looked back. It's a ridiculous material to work with but it's fascinating and pop up books have the most extraordinary effect on kids. Interestingly, the reaction I get from special needs kids, even very challenged ones, is amazing, which is really rewarding.

One of the greatest joys of my job is getting out to meet the kids. I have travelled all over the UK and US giving readings and workshops for all manner of enthusiastic and bright kids. We have a great time, drawing silly dinos and creating fabulous pop ups. I love getting to meet my audience: children are wonderfully honest and full of fun, so you really know what does and does not work. I learn loads too, I have borrowed some radical paper engineering ideas from seven year olds!

I'm brewing up new ideas all the time,. My little one year old daughter, Tabitha, is a big fan and is giving me all sorts of ideas for new titles.

I have recently set up stores where you can buy my artwork on t-shirts, posters, cards, stationery, mugs, giant vinyl wall stickers and much more.

For glimpses into the life of a creator of children's books and for links to all my websites and stores, please do have a look at my blogs:

http://paulstickland.tumblr.com
http://dinosaurdinosaur.tumblr.com

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