About Kate

Kate Read is a children's book illustrator and writer based in Norfolk, UK.

She has recently gained an MA in Children's Book Illustration at Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge (2018)

Kate originally trained as a Theatre Designer at Wimbledon School of Art and subsequently Textiles at Morley College in London

Illustrations made by hand

I have always loved playing with paper, back when I studied textiles I spent all my time dyeing, stitching and cutting up paper into intricate shapes. I drew on it and constructed three dimensional shapes using dressmaking techniques and enjoying the textures and happy accidents.

Now I do the same, painting cutting, dyeing, printing and drawing to create textures to illustrate picture books.

Every image starts with drawing so I can work out the shape and personality of the animal or person I am illustrating. I really enjoy observational drawing but it’s playing with paint, scissors and glue that I really enjoy and that is when my work starts to come alive. I try to embrace mistakes as a sign of creation by human hands and incorporate them into my work.

I graduated in 2018 from the renowned MA in Children's Book Illustration at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, it was a life changing course and I am eternally grateful to all the inspiring students and tutors I met on my illustration journey.

A love of picture books

I think that I have the best job in the world and I am lucky enough to be represented by Hilary Delamere at The Agency - please click here for any literary illustration enquiries.

My first book 'One Fox' is out now with the wonderful Two Hoots (Macmillan) It can be bought in all good bookshops both in Paperback and Hardback.

My new Two Hoots book, 'BOO! A Fishy Mystery' is out in Spring 2021

ENQUIRIES- For all prints or commissions which aren't yet for sale in my shop, drop me an email and I'll arrange printing.

EMAIL-