Norfolk

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/kate-read-norfolk-childrens-author-illustrator-FI2-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Kate Read, Norfolk children's author and illustrator" class="wp-image-49481" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/kate-read-norfolk-childrens-author-illustrator-FI2-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/kate-read-norfolk-childrens-author-illustrator-FI2-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/kate-read-norfolk-childrens-author-illustrator-FI2-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/kate-read-norfolk-childrens-author-illustrator-FI2-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/kate-read-norfolk-childrens-author-illustrator-FI2-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/kate-read-norfolk-childrens-author-illustrator-FI2-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/kate-read-norfolk-childrens-author-illustrator-FI2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Move over Lauren Child and Jon Klassen &#8211; Norfolk has its own talented children’s author/illustrator, <a href="https://www.kateread.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kate Read</a>, and she&#8217;s just started a new chapter by opening a cosy, colourful and creative shop in Aylsham, close to the home she shares with her family.



Has Norfolk always been home and if not, what drew you to the area?



I grew up in Somerset, then moved to London where I did my BA degree in Theatre Design. I moved to Norfolk in 2007. It has the perfect combination of countryside and beaches. I love the pretty market towns and villages, finding excellent places to eat and drink, and, of course, Norwich has lots of interesting places to soak up culture, shop and eat out.&nbsp;



When did you start writing and illustrating, and has it always been children’s literature?



I originally worked in theatre design in London, mainly with contemporary dance companies. I love stories and art, and illustration is a very similar area to work in with lots of transferable skills. I completed an MA in children&#8217;s&nbsp;book illustration at Cambridge&nbsp;School of Art in 2018 which was when I started writing for children. 



My first book One Fox, A Counting Book Thriller was part of my Masters. It was picked up by the publisher Two Hoots (Pan Macmillan) and I followed it up with BOO! A Fishy Mystery, then The Littlest Elephant and The Big Bad Bug. More recently I have had the great pleasure to illustrate a series of non-fiction novelty books for Nosy Crow in conjunction with the National Trust. I’ll be at Blickling Hall in the afternoon of Sun 7 April signing copies.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/the-big-bad-big-kate-read.jpg" alt="The Big Bad Bug by Kate Read" class="wp-image-49483" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/the-big-bad-big-kate-read.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/the-big-bad-big-kate-read-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/the-big-bad-big-kate-read-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/the-big-bad-big-kate-read-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/the-big-bad-big-kate-read-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Where do you find the inspiration for your characters and stories?



I find inspiration all over the place. I used to note down the funny things my children would say when they were young which helps spark ideas, but now they are much more grown up I have to be in touch with my inner child.



Your illustrations are really eye-catching – would you say you have a signature style that features in all your books?



I work in paper collage which informs my illustration style but I try to approach each project in a slightly&nbsp;different way to keep pushing my work forwards. I’m in the process of illustrating a book for another author at the moment and I feel the project might look quite different from my other picture-book work when it’s finished.



Tell us a little about your latest book&nbsp;The Big Bad Bug?



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/illustrations-kate-read-norfolk-childrens-author1.jpg" alt="Illustration from The Big Bad Bug by Kate Read" class="wp-image-49479" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/illustrations-kate-read-norfolk-childrens-author1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/illustrations-kate-read-norfolk-childrens-author1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/illustrations-kate-read-norfolk-childrens-author1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The first ideas for this mini beast mini adventure came about because one of my daughters would collect lots of snails in jars when she was young and then be really surprised to find they had all disappeared when she returned to them.&nbsp;



What do you hope children will think of your new book?



Children are much better at observing the small things than grown ups and I hope this book will give them a bug&#8217;s eye view of the world.



What’s the most rewarding thing about being a children’s author?



There is nothing better than hearing that a child has requested one of my stories on repeat until the book falls apart. It’s a huge privilege to write and illustrate for such a discerning audience.



What led you to opening a shop, One Fox in Aylsham? 



I love meeting people and talking about illustration. I also have a studio space at the shop and it’s great to have a new space to work in. Aylsham is a lovely town with lots of independent businesses. It has a real buzz about it at the moment and I’m glad to be part of it.&nbsp;I sell all sort of beautiful bits and pieces including children’s books, prints, greetings cards, toys, ceramics, creative activity kits and more. It’s a cosy, colourful space full of creativity.



Favourite local spot to find some inspiration?



I love walking my dog at the beach. Overstrand is a favourite place for blowing away the cobwebs and giving me good ideas for stories.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="870" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/birds-of-a-feather-national-trust-kate-read-870x1000.jpg" alt="Birds of a Feather, Press Out and Learn, National Trust, illustrated by Kate Read" class="wp-image-49485" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/birds-of-a-feather-national-trust-kate-read-870x1000.jpg 870w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/birds-of-a-feather-national-trust-kate-read-696x800.jpg 696w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/birds-of-a-feather-national-trust-kate-read-768x883.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/03/birds-of-a-feather-national-trust-kate-read.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px" /></figure>



Favourite local place for a day out?



I also love Blickling Hall. It’s got so many good walks and is fantastic for bird and butterfly spotting. I learned lots about wildlife while illustrating Birds of a Feather and Butterfly Skies for the Press Out and Learn series for the National Trust.



What was your favourite childhood book or series?



When I was very small, I adored Jill Barklem’s Brambly Hedge books &#8211; the detail in the illustrations is incredible.&nbsp;



Any current authors that you’re loving at the moment – for kids’ or adults?



I am such a huge children’s illustration fan that it’s very hard to pin down a current favourite as there are so many great books out there but one of my all-time favourite’s is Merrylegs by Pam Smy which is a beautifully illustrated picture book about a pony who longs to be a beautiful carousel horse. I have a signed copy which makes me very happy.



The Big Bad Bug by <a href="https://www.kateread.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kate Read</a> (Two Hoot, Macmillan) is out now in paperback. For a signed copy head to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/one.fox.shop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">One Fox Shop + Studio</a>, 5 Red Lion Street, Aylsham, NR11 6ER.

Muddy meets local children’s author and illustrator, Kate Read

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