The award-winning children’s illustrator and author talks new work, feminism and artistic heroes
You?re back with a new title ? tell us more about Happy, Sad, Feeling Glad.
Happy, Sad, Feeling Glad is the third in the Draw & Discover series, so really this story starts with the first two books. With Inside, Outside, Upside Down I wanted to take intangible ideas and help kids put them into context. I created three characters to take them through it; Bear, Duck and Rabbit. When it came to Happy, Glad, Feeling Sad the same rules applied. Three characters ? Donkey, Cat and Dog ? and activities in which to explore intangible ideas ? this time, feelings and emotions.
So how does the Draw & Discover series differ from your other books" The style is more graphic and the palette, of course, is very limited. It?s not up to me to make the books colourful this time. I have to leave space for the children to draw, paint and stick. These books are for them; it?s their space to play with.
How did you first get into illustration, and what drew you to children?s books" 
I spent my twenties working as an animator and co-owned a small production company. When we drew a line under that, I was left wondering what to do with myself. Illustration was always in the back of my mind ? I decided this was the time to take the leap. So, I got a portfolio together and enrolled onto an evening class. After nearly a year of work, I found an agent. Originally I wasn?t sure what so...