Illustrator's Website

Illustrator's Blog

lydiamonksbooks.blogspot.com/

Did you know

At lovereading4kids you can download and read an opening extract and an online review of books by Lydia Monks and hundreds of other illustrators

Recommend this website to a friend

Lydia Monks

Lydia Monks is one of the most-popular and original picture book artists working today. Her distinctive use of colour and collage has won her critical acclaim and several awards, including the Smarties Prize.

Lydia lives with her husband and two daughters in Sheffield. Her favourite subjects at school were Art, English and R.E. She then went to Kingston University, where she studied for a degree in Illustration. A keen Irish dancer, she wins trophies at the weekend. She also enjoys going to aerobics, watching films and visiting friends. Lydia lists her favourite food as ice-cream, and her extravagance as buying a cornflake cake at the bakers when she only went in to buy a loaf of bread!

Things you didn't know about Lydia Monks:

   1. She has ginger hair.
   2. She goes to tango classes.
   3. She has a sister called Julie who also illustrates children’s books.
   4. She doesn’t have any pets but would like some.
   5. She always talks to cats in the street.
   6. She listens to the radio all day while she works.
   7. She has won medals and trophies for Irish dancing.
   8. She used to have an old, green car that was born in the 1970s, which people used to laugh at.
   9. She uses teeny, weeny brushes to work with.
10. She has a husband who is also an illustrator.

Click here to read a Q&A with the author from top children's publisher Egmont.

Author photo: Chris Scott

Featured Books, with extracts illustrated by Lydia Monks

The Rhyming Rabbit
Julia Donaldson
A Lovereading4kids 'Great Read' you may have missed 2011 selection. Award winning Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson has created a delightfully entertaining picture book that celebrates poems of all kinds. All the rabbits are sick of hearing the rhyming rabbit’s poems for...
Featured in: 3+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 24/05/2012
Info Extract Wishlist Compare Price Buy

The Singing Mermaid
Julia Donaldson
Best-selling author Julia Donaldson captures the magic of the mermaid’s song in this dramatic story of how a mermaid is lured from her beautiful home by the sea to the circus to sing for the crowds. How she escapes with...
Featured in: 3+ readers
Format: Hardback - Released: 26/04/2012
Info Extract Wishlist Compare Price Buy

What the Ladybird Heard (Board Book)
Julia Donaldson
Winner of the Scottish Book Award 2010 (0-7 years category). Best-selling author and illustrator Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks have teamed up for another brilliant picture book. Right in the farmyard among all the noisy animals with their MOOs! and QUACKS!...
Featured in: Baby and Toddler | Book Awards
Format: Hardback - Released: 01/03/2012
Info Extract Wishlist Compare Price Buy

Babbit
Lydia Monks
A Lovereading4kids 'Great Read' you may have missed 2011 selection. Best-selling author/illustrator Lydia Monks has a gift for entertaining and dramatic picture books. Babbit, a lovely Blue Rabbit, is happily enjoying a picnic when it is captured by the Witchy One...
Featured in: 3+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/08/2011
Info Extract Wishlist Compare Price Buy

What The Ladybird Heard Sound Book
Julia Donaldson
Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson takes readers on an exciting adventure in a farmyard during which a ladybird manages to stop a daring robbery. Listening to all the sounds around her, the ladybird picks up the thieves’ dastardly plan and tells...
Featured in: 3+ readers | Baby and Toddler | Books of the Month
Format: Novelty book - Released: 01/07/2011
Info Extract Wishlist Compare Price Buy

The Rhyming Rabbit
Julia Donaldson
A Lovereading4kids 'Great Read' you may have missed 2011 selection. Award winning Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson has created a delightfully entertaining picture book that celebrates poems of all kinds. All the rabbits are sick of hearing the rhyming rabbit’s poems for...
Featured in: 3+ readers
Format: Hardback - Released: 03/06/2011
Info Extract Wishlist Compare Price Buy

What The Ladybird Heard
Julia Donaldson
A Picture Book for kids that love Animals. Winner of the Scottish Book Award 2010 (0-7 years category). Bestselling author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Lydia Monks have teamed up for another brilliant picture book. Right in the farmyard among all the noisy...
Featured in: 3+ readers | Baby and Toddler
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/03/2010
Info Extract Wishlist Compare Price Buy

Princess And The Wizard
Julia Donaldson
A Picture Book for kids that love Magic. New fangled techniques can spoil a good story but here, the use of glitter on every page is nothing short of inspirational and provides that wonderful opportunity for children to linger...
Featured in: 3+ readers | Baby and Toddler
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/09/2007
Info Extract Wishlist Compare Price Buy

Princess And The Wizard
Julia Donaldson
A Picture Book for kids that love Magic. New fangled techniques can spoil a good story but here, the use of glitter on every page is nothing short of inspirational and provides that wonderful opportunity for children to linger...
Featured in: 3+ readers
Format: Hardback - Released: 06/10/2006
Info Extract Wishlist Compare Price Buy

Sharing a Shell
Julia Donaldson
The tiny hermit crab loves his new shell. He doesn't want to share it - not with a blobby purple anemone and a tickly bristleworm. But life in the rock pool proves tougher than Crab thinks, and soon he finds...
Featured in: 3+ readers | Audio Books | Baby and Toddler
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/05/2005
Info Extract Wishlist Compare Price Buy

Green Bananas: Shout, Show and Tell!
Kate Agnew
Containing three related short stories in and around the classrom for first readers this book is ideal for children who are beginning to want to read longer stories than those in most picture books. There is only a small amount...
Featured in: 3+ readers | 5+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/09/2004
Info Extract Wishlist Compare Price Buy

Books illustrated by Lydia Monks

The Princess Mirror-Belle Collection
Julia Donaldson
A bumper edition of all the delightfully funny PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE stories from the bestselling author of THE GRUFFALO - all the magic of Julia Donaldson for newly independent readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/06/2012

Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

The Rhyming Rabbit
Julia Donaldson
A wonderful tale from the creators of the bestselling WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD.
Format: Paperback - Released: 24/05/2012

Price: £5.24 - Saving 1.75 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

The Bear and the Bees ITV Daybreak Winner
Ella Richardson
It takes a brave bear to be different!
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/03/2012

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

The What the Ladybird Heard Song
Julia Donaldson
A special song for World Book Day 2012!
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/02/2012

Price: £1.00

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

The Princess and the Wizard Big Book
Julia Donaldson
The bestselling book, now in a format perfect for classroom and group use.
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/08/2011

Price: £12.74 - Saving 4.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Babbit
Lydia Monks
Babbit is a garrulous toy bunny who has a startling adventure - that he can't stop rabbiting on about. Picnics, piggy-in-the-middle and evading capture by monsters are all in a day's work for this talkative carrot-lover. But how will his...
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/08/2011

Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

The Princess and the Wizard Activity Book
Julia Donaldson
A magical activity book!
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/05/2011

Price: £2.99 - Saving 1.00 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Sharing a Shell Big Book
Julia Donaldson
The bestselling book, now in a format perfect for classroom and group use.
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/08/2010

Price: £12.74 - Saving 4.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

What The Ladybird Heard
Julia Donaldson
A witty farmyard thriller from the author of THE GRUFFALO!
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/03/2010

Price: £5.24 - Saving 1.75 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Zits, Glitz and Body Bits
Jeanne Willis
Do you know how to handle a zit emergency? What your hormones are all about? Or which planet boys come from, and how to get there? This growing-up guide for girls covers topics ranging from bodies and beauty to boys....
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/03/2010

Price: £7.49 - Saving 2.50 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Fun for Free Indie Kidd's (most Excellent) Guide
Karen McCombie
Featuring board games, this title helps you to have your own anti-fashion show, take your own trick photos or make a family tree for your pets.
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/01/2010

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Indie Kidd I Spy a (not So) White Lie
Karen McCombie
At first, new girl April is well liked by Indie and her two best friends, Soph and Fee, especially when she has exciting stories to tell. But April's tall tales grow more extraordinary and eventually seem designed to split Indie...
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/09/2009

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Eeeek, Mouse!
Lydia Monks
A quirky tale about a small girl saving a large family of mice from her father's amazing mouse trap and the cat.
Format: Paperback - Released: 03/08/2009

Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Indie Kidd My (most Excellent) Guide to Best Friends
Karen McCombie
A guide to making and keeping friends. It features Indie and her friends who let us in on the stories of how they all came to be best friends. It gives tips on how to handle friends that are bossy...
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/06/2009

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Me and the School (un)Fair
Karen McCombie
It's all hands on deck when Miss Levy announces plans for the School Fair. Indie Kidd soon sets to work, rallying round her furry friends at the Animal Rescue Centre to create a Petting Zoo. But not everything goes according...
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/07/2008

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Indie Kidd My (Most Excellent) Pet Project
Karen McCombie
Did you know that alligators have a food radar in their cheeks? That a group of hippos is known as a bloat ?
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/05/2008

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

The Princess Mirror-Belle Collection
Julia Donaldson
A bumper edition of all the delightfully funny Princess Mirror-Belle stories from the bestselling author of THE GRUFFALO
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/04/2008

Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

The Princess and the Wizard
Julia Donaldson
With glitter on every page, for a real touch of magic!
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/09/2007

Price: £5.24 - Saving 1.75 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Ooo, Ooo, Ooo Gorilla
Lydia Monks
Hooray! Gorilla has come to stay - he crashes through the door full of excitement and anticipation. And at first he's not disappointed. The family have thought of everything to make him comfortable. But then it begins to snow and...
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/08/2007

Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Aaaarrgghh, Spider!
Lydia Monks
All Spider wants is to be a family pet. But the family whose house she lives in are terrified of her. Whenever she tries to show them what a great pet she would make, they simply cry: AAAARRGGHH, Spider!
Format: Paperback - Released: 08/05/2007

Price: £5.99 - Saving 2.00 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Indie Kidd Oops, I Lost My Best(est) Friends
Karen McCombie
Indie Kidd wouldn't be without her best friends, Soph and Fee, but her step-brother Dylan has no close mates. It's time for Indie to help him become more friend-friendly... But what if Dylan drives Indie mad in the process? And...
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/04/2007

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Indie Kidd Wow, I'm a Gazillionaire! (I Wish)
Karen McCombie
Indie's seen a wooden cat that she just has to have, even if her friends think it's weird. Only problem is, it's really expensive. With her parents in a cash crisis, Indie will have to raise the money herself. Will...
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/04/2007

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Indie Kidd Are We Having Fun Yet? (hmm?)
Karen McCombie
What should animal-mad Indie Kidd do when her best friend's cat is run over? Poor Fee is lost without her beloved Garfield, and Indie will try anything to make her super-sad friend feel glad again. It's time for Indie's Cheer...
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/04/2007

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Indie Kidd My Big (strange) Happy Family!
Karen McCombie
Indie decides to try to get her separated parents to be friends - and comes up with some endearingly dopey, harebrained schemes. But when Mum and Dad eventually do get matey, it's because they're trying to figure out what on...
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/04/2007

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Indie Kidd How to be Good(ish)
Karen McCombie
Meet Indie Kidd, ten years old today - and stressed! Indie's teacher has asked the class to name their three top talents. Three! Indie can barely think of one! With the help of her best friends Soph and Fee, she's...
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/04/2007

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Indie Kidd Being Grown-up is Cool (not!)
Karen McCombie
Indie Kidd is fed up with being treated like a brainless little baby. Why are her friends so childish? And what is with her mum, acting like a total control freak? Not even her dad will listen to her. If...
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/04/2007

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Little Big Mouth
Jeanne Willis
It's Blue Monster's first day at Monster Academy and Little Green Monster thinks it's funny to call him names. Fat face. Jelly belly. Spotty botty. So how come no one else is laughing? Little Green Monster is soon in big...
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/02/2007

Price: £7.49 - Saving 2.50 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Glitter Kitty
Mara Bergman
It's the day of the Meowtown Dance Competition, and Cuddles has spent the morning in the salon and at the shops. After all, she likes to look her best. She has been busy running errands and practising her favourite dance...
Format: Paperback - Released: 03/07/2006

Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Aaaaaaaaaa! Corryn!
Lydia Monks

Format: Paperback - Released: 21/06/2006

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Princess Mirror-Belle and the Flying Horse
Julia Donaldson
Magically mischievous Mirror-Belle comes popping out of mirrors to sweep Ellen into five hilarious escapades. She tells tall stories about her winged pony, searches for a sea monster's treasure and turns herself into a most unusual sleeping beauty.
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/04/2006

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Price: £5.24 - Saving 1.75 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Princess Mirror-Belle and the Magic Shoes
Julia Donaldson
Ellen still can't believe that mysterious Mirror-Belle is her friend. After all, how can you really believe in a girl who stares at you out of the mirror but who isn't your reflection? A girl who claims she is a...
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/02/2005

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Snogs, Sex and Soulmates
Jeanne Willis
Sassy, informative and funny, this is one in a set of three books for girls going through puberty. Dealing with issues like periods, breasts, body image, eating disorders, snogging, sex, contraception, STDs, make-up, clothes advice, friends and shyness, they're packed...
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/12/2004

Price: £2.99 - Saving 1.00 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Green Bananas: Shout, Show and Tell!
Kate Agnew
Sean is always shouting and rushing about. But when he gets stuck in a cupboard with Miss Green, his noisiness comes in handy! No one's taking any notice of Daisy today. But when her wobbly tooth comes out, she's got...
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/09/2004

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

All the Best The Selected Poems of Roger McGough
Roger McGough
This is a selection of over 100 of Roger's own best-loved poems from his vast Puffin catalogue of poetry collections. Lots of favourites and some lesser known surprises, too. Packed with fabulous Lydia Monks illustrations throughout.
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/07/2004

Price: £9.74 - Saving 3.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

The Skipping-Rope Snake
Carol Ann Duffy
What can a little girl do in the jungle? Play snap with a crocodile? Join-the-dots on a leopard's spots? Pin-the-tail on an elephant? Or just pick up a snake and skip all the way home! This picture book features rhyme...
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/06/2004

Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Aaaarrgghh, Spider!
Lydia Monks
All Spider wants is to be a family pet. But the family whose house he lives in are terrified of him. Whenever he tries to show them what a great pet he would make, they simply cry, 'Aaaarrgghh, Spider!'. Themes...
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/04/2004

Price: £4.49 - Saving 1.50 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Princess Mirror-Belle
Julia Donaldson
Lovely, funny, young magical princess stories by a hugely successful writer.
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/08/2003

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy

Bad, Bad Cats
Roger McGough
Includes a series of poems about the exploits of some gangster cats and verse based on Carnival of the Animals by Saint Saens.
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/09/1997

Price: £3.74 - Saving 1.25 (25%)

more info | add to wishlist | compare price | buy