Biography for Nicola Smee

Nicola studied at Birmingham College of Art and worked in design studios before embarking on children’s illustration - initially for the Thames TV programme, RAINBOW. The first book she illustrated – REX Q.C. was shortlisted for The Mother Goose Award. The first book Nicola wrote as well as illustrated – DOWN IN THE WOODS was published by  HarperCollins in 1985. Since then she has published a variety of books, many widely translated and shortlisted for numerous awards. Her stories and artwork are featured regularly on BBC TV. In 2014 CLIP-CLOP was voted one of the “Top 50 picture books of the past 25 years” by The Huffington Post. To date, Nicola has 168 titles registered for PLR UK (Public Lending Right).  She is a member of SOA (The Society of Authors) and served on the committee of CWIG (Children’s Writers & Illustrators Group) from 2010 – 2013. Nicola exhibits her work in galleries and has undertaken many private commissions.