Profile – Anna Walker – Illustrator based in Melbourne

Anna Walker is an award winning illustrator and author of many picture books for children published around the world. Her books include Florette, which was a New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Book. Anna creates illustrations with watercolour, pencil and collage. Her stories are inspired by the quiet and sometimes joyful details of life. Together with Jane Godwin, Anna has also created many beautiful picture books, their latest book being Tilly.

Anna Walker writes and illustrates children’s books from her studio in Melbourne. Her most recent book as author and illustrator is Lottie and Walter.

Florette, was shortlisted in the 2018 CBCA awards for Picture Book of the Year, the 2018 Australian Book Industry Picture Book of the Year Awards, the 2018 Australian Design Association Picture Book of the Year Awards, and won the 2018 Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature. Florette was also chosen by the New York Times and New York Public Library as one of the top 10 best illustrated books of 2018.

Mr Huff, won the 2016 CBCA Book of the Year for Early Childhood and was shortlisted in the 2016 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.

Awards

2018 Florette selected as a New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book 2018

2018 Florette included in the Boston Globe Best Children’s Book list

2018 Won The Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature: Florette

2018 Shortlisted for Australian Book Industry Picture Book of the Year Awards: Florette

2018 Shortlisted for CBCA Book of the year – Florette by Anna Walker

2018 Shortlisted in the Australian Book Design Association Best Designed Children’s Illustrated Book: Florette

2016 Winner of the Book of the year: Early Childhood, CBCA – Mr Huff by Anna Walker

2016 Prime Ministers Literary Awards Shortlist: Mr Huff by Anna Walker

2016 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable: Mr Huff by Anna Walker, What Do You Wish For by Jane Godwin and illustrated by Anna Walker, Hurry Up Alfie by Anna Walker

2016 Book Design Awards of Australia: Mr Huff shortlisted

2016 Yabba Shortlist : Mr Huff

2013 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Short List: Peggy by Anna Walker.

2013 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable: Peggy by Anna Walker

2013 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards Children’s fiction shortlist: : Peggy by Anna Walker

2013 Book Industry Award Short listed book of the Year for Younger Children (age range 0 – 8 years): Peggy by Anna Walker

2013 Australian Society of Authors / Children’s Picture Book Illustrators’ Initiative – Mr Huff

2011 CBCA Awards 2011 Early Childhood Notable: I Don’t Believe in Dragons

2010 58th Book Design Awards of Australia Lets Play House

2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love to Dance

2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love to Sing

2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love Holidays

2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love Birthdays

2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable Little Cat and the Big Red Bus

2009 57th Book Design Awards of Australia I Love to Dance won best Children’s Series Design.

Contact

For books I am represented by the lovely Stephen Barr : The Writers House
If you would like to say hello or enquire about a special project or commission : Email Anna
For enquiries regarding speaking engagements please contact : Booked Out

History

Anna was born in Sydney, Australia and grew up in Melbourne.
She completed Certificate of Art and Design, at Boxhill Tafe
And a Bachelor of Design, Degree with Honours at Swinburne University.
After studying Anna worked as designer/illustrator at The Age for a year before beginning to freelance full time in design and illustration for a range of publishers and clients.

When she was a child, Anna wanted to illustrate picture books. It took a long time to realise that dream, but now, to her delight, that is what she does!

Interviews

Florette Interview

Let’s Talk Picture Books
Jody Wiley
My Book Corner
The Beetle Shack
Thirteen Red Shoes