Inspiring Young Readers

posted on 23 Feb 2020

An Interview with Fiona French

The Letterpress Project has asked authors and illustrators to think about what has inspired them as artists, what their favourite books are and how they relate to their audience - we've also asked them if they themselves are book collectors.

We are delighted to present an exclusive interview with  author/illustrator, Fiona French.. 

We asked Fiona to tell us a bit about herself and this is what she told us:

"Born 27th June 1944, in the city of Bath

 Educated in Devon.

 Art Education at Croydon College of Art from 1961 to 1966, on the NDD course, with one extra  year specialising in Printmaking.

 From about 1968 - Various part time teaching work in Wimbledon Art college, Leicester  Polytechnic & Brighton Art College.

 Also from 1968 to 1973, I joined Bridget Riley’s studio as one of her assistants.

 From 1970 Oxford University Press published my picture books.

 From 1980 I worked for other publishers, continuing to do picture books and illustrating other writer’s stories as well.

 In 1986, ‘Snow White in New York’ for OUP, won the Kate Greenaway Medal.

 I moved from London to Norfolk in 1987.

 And joined the Frances Lincoln Publishers list in 1991, with ‘Anancy and Mr Dry-Bone’ , working for them for many years, I think - eight titles.

 I am very grateful to have ‘Wild Wolf’ published by Otter-Barry Books in 2020."

 

You can read what she had to tell us n her interview on the link below:

Fiona_French.pdf