Authors and illustrators

Kelly Conroy

Kelly Conroy worked as an actuary before focusing on writing stories and poems for children. She lives in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA, with her husband, two sons and mini goldendoodle, Chewy. Kelly loves all things magical, whimsical and numerical, and her goal in life is to make people smile.

Kate Ware

Originally from Mid Wales, Kate Ware designs, illustrates and occasionally writes children’s books from her studio in North Herefordshire, where she lives with her family. She loves gardening, cooking and going for walks with Pickle the pug. She also has a large array of chickens and 4 pet lambs called Cookie, Peggy, Rose and Simple.

Kathryn Smith

Kathryn Smith lives in the historic Georgian city of Bath with her paper engineer husband, two children and numerous animals. She has worked as an editor and writer of children’s books for over 25 years and still loves what she does!

Kate Daubney

Kate Daubney was born in sunny North Devon, where she grew up on a diet of Devonshire cream teas and Cornish pasties. Drawing, painting and writing stories have always been her favourite pastimes, and as a child she spent many weekends at the beach with a sketchbook creating quirky characters. Since graduating from the University College Falmouth in 2009, she has worked full-time as an illustrator. Kate’s love of animals and nature inspire her bright, colourful and quirky illustrations.

Kate McLelland

Kate McLelland grew up in the North East of England before moving to London to gain a BA Hons in Theatre Design. After completing her degree in London she moved to Edinburgh, where she gained an MFA in Illustration with Distinction at Edinburgh College of Art. Kate now lives with her family in Edinburgh, where she works from home on books, printmaking and making pictures!

Kate Pankhurst

Kate Pankhurst has an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from the University of Central Lancashire and was the highest placed undergraduate in the Macmillan Prize for Picture Book Illustration. She has written her own series, Mariella Mystery Investigates. She now lives in Leeds with her partner and two house rabbits!

Kate Pope

Kate Pope gained 1st class honours in Surface Pattern Design from Staffordshire University alongside Liz Pope. They have worked together for the past ten years, developing card ranges, stationery, art prints and illustrating children’s books. Kate can’t wait to add a splash of colour to Liz’s drawings. She loves to collect vibrant papers and vintage fabrics, which are then layered and collaged into the art.

Katie Cottle

Katie Cottle is a Welsh illustrator who now lives in Bristol. She's illustrated a number of children's books, and she's written a few, too. Katie uses lots of bright colours (orange being a particular favourite), lots of texture and has lots of fun with characters. When she's not drawing, she's probably hanging out with her cat (Beanie) or feeding the ducks that live nearby.