International Kindness Day is Nov 13th. Third Graders at Carlo Collodi of the institute of Occhiobello in Italy drew these colourful pictures of Mr Panda to mark the day! Their drawings were inspired by my Mr Panda series.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
4th Graders at Carlo Collodi illustrated drawings and designed posters to recognise the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is on Dec 3rd. Carlo Collodi is one of the 4 primary schools of the institute of Occhiobello, near Rovigo, in the region Veneto. Their drawings were inspired by my book ‘Amazing’ which is about a boy and his amazing pet dragon. The boy happens to use a wheelchair. The reason I created this book is because I once worked as Support Worker for students with special needs and couldn’t find a picture book featuring a wheelchair user as a main character that wasn’t about the wheelchair.
It’s always lovely to see how teachers use picture books in their classrooms. I absolutely love these drawings and posters!
Inktober 2022
Below are all 31 of my Inktober drawings. If you’re not already familiar with Inktober, every year they create a list of daily word prompts for the month of October. For years I’ve been meaning to take part, and I’m so glad that I finally did! Word prompts are a fun way to get the creative juices flowing. I even think I may have come up with some potential story ideas!
Lilies For The Queen Colouring-in Sheets
Dear Schools,
Together we celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and made great memories.
Here, you can download six floral tributes for your children to colour in, which include Her Majesty’s favourite flower: Lily of the Valley. Download here: https://tinyurl.com/4fdfj8jx
From Steve x
The Queen's Hat Flies To Edinburgh
Steve Antony Day - Celebrating Swindon Libraries
What a day! Today is Steve Antony day - a day named by Swindon Libraries to thank me for all I do as Patron and to celebrate all the wonderful activities both I and Swindon Libraries have launched over the years. More importantly, it's a day to celebrate all that Swindon Libraries do for children, schools and families. It's also the date I became Patron to Swindon Libraries Children's Reading Services back in 2016.
The day started with a fun filled morning of activities at Crowdys Hill School, a school close to my heart for many reasons. There was 'Pin The Nose On The Panda', a doughnut hoop-throwing game, lots of colouring in sheets and a treasure hunt. The pupils surprised me with a display of Steve Antony portraits and gave me a book of their very own story ideas. It was a truly special visit. It was so nice to see everyone again after having not been able to visit the school in-person for so long due to the pandemic.
After fish & chips, Outreach Librarian Debbie and I embarked on a whistle stop tour of Swindon Libraries. We weren't able to visit all the libraries but did manage to pop by Beechcroft Library, Park Library, Old Town Children's Library and Wroughton Library.
There's no place quite like a library. "Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life." - Sidney Sheldon
And to many, libraries are a lifeline. They're a safe space, they're free and our communities need them. Librarians do an incredible about of good work for their local communities, and Outreach Librarians provide an invaluable service to schools, especially schools in deprived areas.
From Lego Play to Sewing Clubs, there's something for everyone - and everyone is welcome! If you don't already belong to your local library, what are you waiting for?
I personally feel very honoured and privileged to have been named Patron of Swindon Libraries Children's Reading Services. It's a role I thoroughly enjoy and feel truly blessed to have formed such a special bond with Swindon Libraries.
I'd like to thank Outreach Librarian and good friend Debbie from the bottom of my box of doughnuts for organising today. And thank you for the fish and chips, too!
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
I am sure most of you have seen that simply adorable and heartwarming video of Queen Elizabeth II and Paddington Bear (below). Well, Paddington Bear wasn’t the only classic children’s book character to spend time with The Queen over Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee weekend! I had the absolute honour of illustrating The Queen and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
And I am pleased to announce that just over £1000 was raised for the DEC Ukraine Appeal from the sale of prints. Thank you to everyone who bought one.
Below is the original press release.
Award-winning children's book illustrator of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Queen's Hat, Steve Antony, has illustrated Her Majesty flying the world's most famous fictional car to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. All proceeds will be donated to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Antony, known for his award-winning The Queen's Hat, illustrated the first picture book adaptation of Ian Fleming's classic children's story, which was written by Peter Bently and published by Hachette Children's in 2020.
Steve Antony says: “What better way to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee than to race through the clouds in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. And if Chitty Chitty Bang Bang should cough and splutter who better to check under her bonnet than Queen Elizabeth II, who trained as a mechanic during WWII. But more importantly, I hope we can reach the £7000 target to contribute towards DEC’s essential aid and help the displaced people of Ukraine, especially the children.”
Corinne Turner, Managing Director of Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, says: “Ian Fleming’s magical flying car is a beloved part of British culture, so it seemed fitting to celebrate this historic occasion by giving Her Majesty the chance to take Chitty Chitty Bang Bang out for a spin. We adore Steve’s artwork, especially The Queen’s Hat, and are proud to honour Queen Elizabeth II with this special design. We hope fans enjoy it and that the money raised for charity is also a cause for celebration.”
Author, Peter Bently says: "I hope you will be as delighted as I am by Steve's brilliant and witty illustration of Her Majesty taking to the skies in everyone's favourite flying car. Happy Jubilee, Ma'am, and hold on to you hat!"
Prints can be purchased from www.steveantony.com. More information on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang can be found at www.ianfleming.com
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a trademark of Danjaq LLC and United Artists Corporation, used under licence by Ian Fleming Publications Ltd. All rights reserved. Text copyright © Ian Fleming Publications Ltd 1964, 1965.
If The Queen's Hat Lands on Reunion Island
Wash Your Hands, Mr Panda
The 8th Mr Panda books comes out July 7th!
Book News! "Groundbreaking" You Can, out next year!
PRESS RELEASE, BELOW.
Inclusive new picture book illustrated by award-winning Steve Antony, created not just for children – but by children– with Alexandra Strick. Publication Oct 2021, Otter-Barry Books, World rights available
Most children’s books start with a team of adults and end up in the hands of children. You Can evolved differently. It started with children from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. And children have remained central throughout the project.
You Can is an innovative concept developed by Alexandra Strick. Through several years of consultation, young people aged 8 to 18 were asked what they would say to their younger selves to inspire, reassure and enthuse them about the future. You Can represents their answers.
Brought to dazzling life with a ground-breaking visual narrative by Steve Antony, we see 14 diverse characters grow from babies, to toddlers, to young children, to older children and finally into young adults. The cast of characters is truly diverse in every way, as their many different interests, identities, friendships and futures develop before the reader’s eyes.
This empowering book reminds every child that they can be themselves, with its messages of inspiration, empathy, reassurance and hope. And never have such messages been more important than now. You Can’s young contributors shared their ideas through meetings, emails and video calls throughout the book’s development. Their contributions were powerful, astute, often touching, sometimes funny. The young people come from a wide range of different backgrounds and experiences and include members of the network of Inclusion Ambassadors.
“I am so proud and excited about this very special book.” Steve Antony, illustrator
“This highly inclusive picture is unique in so many ways, not least its child-centred origins and its hugely inclusive delivery... Steve and I would like to thank every single individual who contributed.” Alexandra Strick, author
“This book will bring a lot of smiles to a lot of faces when children in different situations, from different backgrounds and facing different challenges find themselves in the story. In its beautiful illustrations they will be able to connect and feel “seen” and empowered.” Zainab Ahmad, Inclusion Ambassador, author and entrepreneur
“We are honoured to be the publishers of this ground-breaking book, working with the incredibly talented Steve Antony and Alexandra Strick.” Janetta Otter-Barry, Publisher, Otter-Barry Books
Amazing nominated on the international list of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities
Yesterday I was delighted to discover that Amazing has been nominated on the international list of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities. When creating Amazing I was fully aware that no other UK trade picture books existed that featured an incidentally disabled human child so boldly and blatantly on the front cover. Picture books featuring characters with disabilities are hard to come by. They are ESPECIALLY hard to come by because you never see the disability depicted on the front cover. In other words, you have to look real hard to find such books. This is why I made Amazing. This is also why I intentionally made Amazing as bright, colourful and commercial as possible, unlike most of my other books which usually have limited colour palettes due to my own disability, my colour-blindness. I also wanted to prove wrong the publishers that said this wouldn’t sell because apparently “it’s too niche”. And I did just that, with the full support of my publisher: Hachette Children’s. The first print run of Amazing sold out, which in this competitive and fast-paced industry is quite an achievement! It was also shortlisted for Book Trust’s Story Time Prize, and the book has given me the platform and opportunity to talk and write quite extensively about the importance of such picture books.
I am so happy that IBBY UK chose Amazing! Thanks, IBBY UK!
You can read the full article on the IBBY nominations at The Bookseller, here: https://www.thebookseller.com/news/uk-nominations-ibbys-outstanding-books-young-people-disabilities-1216633
Mr Panda Plush
Great news! Mr Panda is now available to buy as a plush toy! You can purchase one here: https://merrymakersinc.com/products/please-mr-panda?variant=32138081665123
The WHSmith Ultimate Writing Challenge
I am excited to be a part of the WHSmith and the National Literacy Trust’s Ultimate Writing Challenge, alongside poet Karl Nova and writer Hilary Robinson. Write a letter from space, or a poem about a special place, or a story about a dragon! Looking forward to seeing all the entries. This competition is completely free to enter. It is open exclusively to all UK schools who have participated in a National Literacy Trust project with WHSmith at some point over the last 15 years! For more information, please visit the National Literacy Trust’s website, here: https://literacytrust.org.uk/competitions/whsmith-ultimate-writing-challenge/
Picture Book Club - A New Show Celebrating Picture Book Creators
I am delighted to announce the launch of a new YouTube show, called Picture Book Club - telling the story behind the story!
Several months ago I mentioned on Twitter that it’s a shame that there isn’t a TV show that really focuses on and celebrates picture books. In the States I grew up watching Reading Rainbow, which was a fantastic show that celebrated books.
The tweet sparked a conversation amongst creatives. Mostly we all reminisced, but it was a conversation with fellow children’s author Fiona Barker that led to the Picture Book Club YouTube show. Fiona and I decided that we would do something, so we brainstormed ideas until settling on a nice and simple seven minute format. The introductions and ends were filmed in Swindon Old Town Children’s Library (the wall art is by the amazing Fred Blunt). Fiona visited, interviewed and filmed a number of children’s writers and illustrators. The first was Rob Biddulph, and in our very first episode we get to see Rob in action at the Wimbledon Book Festival. The episodes are weekly. We’ve got a fair few lined up for you, and we’ll see how it goes before planning more episodes. Check out the first episode below.
Mr Panda Fundraising Book Launch for Coram Beanstalk
Sat 8th Feb saw the fundraising book launch of We Love You, Mr Panda at Swindon Central Library, in aid of Coram Beanstalk. Amongst guests were public librarians, school librarians, teachers, fellow authors and illustrators and family and close friends. I recognised many guests, including winners of previous art competitions. Arlo, the boy who helped publicise the new Mr Panda library card, was there too. Leandra Lucas yet again delighted everyone with her latest cake creation - Mr Panda piloting his podgy plane over the book’s full cast of characters. Marc managed the raffle and sale of limited edition prints and badges, managing to sell over 100 tickets within 90 minutes. I was delighted that Coram Beanstalk volunteer Debbie won one of the raffle prizes, which included signed books, a signed sketch and a second Mr Panda cake by Leandra. The cake went to fellow author-illustrator Elena Arevalo Melville.
Altogether we raised £300 for Coram Beanstalk. Coram Beanstalk recruit, train and support volunteers to provide consistent, one-to-one reading support to children aged 3-13 who need their help. Their reading helpers give them the support they need to improve their reading skills, reading ability and confidence. They also provide training to people within the school community who want to help children learn to read for pleasure whilst improving their reading skills.
Thank you to everyone who came to support this very special event. I would especially like to thank Swindon Libraries for their continued support. I now look forward to the next fundraising book launch, which will be for Green Lizards and Red Rectangles and the Blue Ball. The venue and chosen charity are yet to be confirmed, although I can say that the event will take place in the summer. If you would like to be kept informed on future events please sign up to my newsletter at the bottom of my website.
Below are some photos taken by good friend, Terry Bassett. A video by South West Media will be posted here in due course.
For more information on Coram Beanstalk, including how to support their work, please visit www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk
Your Child in a Future Picture Book
To help a bookseller open a physical bookshop in my hometown of Swindon I am offering a really unique opportunity for a child to appear as a drawn character in one of my forthcoming picture books. Whoever buys this Crowdfunder reward will also receive illustrations of the child, along with a signed copy including a hand-written dedication to the child. They will also receive an exclusive die-cut Bert's Books pin badge plus 15% off all titles in your next purchase on bertsbooks.co.uk (excluding sale items and subscriptions).
There are other rewards up for grabs, too! Check out Bert’s Bookshop Crowdfunder page: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bertsbooks
Below are some illustrations of some of the children I’ve featured in picture books.
My illustration from ‘Kind’
My illustration from ‘Kind’
Illustration from ‘When I Grow Up’
Illustration from ‘When I Grow Up’
Illustration from ‘Amazing’
Illustration from ‘Amazing’
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Illustrating Peter Bently’s adaptation of Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was an absolute honour. In this all new picture book adaptation I decided to make Chitty electric whilst still capturing her personality. Chitty will take to the skies Sept 2020. See the press release below.
Press Release
Hachette Children's Group has signed a picture book adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to be written by Peter Bently and illustrated by Steve Antony.
The book, which is the only children’s book from the creator of James Bond, is about a magical flying car. Written by Fleming for his young son Caspar, it was originally published in 1964 by Jonathan Cape, two months after the author died.
World rights were acquired by HCG group picture book publisher Emma Layfield and HCG senior publisher Anne McNeil in a deal done with Gordon Wise at the Curtis Brown Group on behalf of Ian Fleming Publications, Jodie Hodges at United Agents for Bently and Elizabeth Roy at Elizabeth Roy Literary Agency for Antony.
McNeil said: "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a classic story that truly touches the hearts of families. Peter Bentley’s adaptation of Ian Fleming’s original text will introduce the story to a new generation, and Steve Antony’s gorgeous artwork brings it beautifully to life."
A statement from Ian Fleming Publications read: "We’re delighted to work with Hachette Children’s Group to make Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang come alive for younger readers. And the creative team in charge of remodelling Chitty are second to none; we can’t wait to see them work their magic and watch Chitty soar to new, unexplored heights."
Bently said: "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has been a favourite of mine since childhood. I am both delighted and honoured to have the opportunity to bring the great Ian Fleming’s amazing flying car to a picture book audience."
Antony added: "As a child, I loved Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Never in a million years did I imagine that I'd one day be asked to illustrate a 21st- century Chitty for a whole new generation of children to enjoy. I feel extremely honoured."
Bently and Antony's picture book adaptation will first publish in hardback in autumn 2020, with the paperback following in autumn 2021.
Banners for the National Literacy Trust
I illustrated Swindon Stories lamppost banners which are on display in Regent Street and the Magic Roundabout in Swindon, inspiring families to chat together and visit their local library. I’m really proud to see the banners on display in such busy areas of town for all to see and hope they will inspire as many Swindon families as possible to share stories and visit their local libraries.
Last year alone the National Literacy Trust worked with 43,913 pupils, encouraging them to read and write for pleasure and purpose. They gifted 239,894 brand new books through their programmes, community work and competitions; and gave 2,087 teachers engaging literacy resources and tools through their membership.
Waterstones Event
Here are some photos from my recent signing at Waterstones, Cirencester. Photos: Terry Bassett
This Summer's Swindon Library Art Comp is Out of This World!
Celebrating 50 years since the first moon landing, this years Summer Reading Challenge will be blasting off in all Swindon’s libraries from Saturday (13 July), along with an out of this world art competition, open to all ages! Design your own planet!
I visited Crowdys Hill School yesterday to launch the art competition, in which you get to design and name your own planet! Their will be 14 winners, one from each library, and each will win a signed copy of my latest picture book, Amazing. I will also pick an overall win, who will win a class visit from yours truly.
Last years art comp was so much fun - design Mr Panda’s Hat - and we received over 500 colourful entries. The year before we had the Design a Doughnut comp which was great fun too.
You can take part in the Summer Reading Challenge and the Design your own Planet competition by visiting your local Swindon library where you can pick up a competition sheet. Deadline: Sept 9th.
Pictured with Miss Little’s Class, along with Outreach Librarian, Debbie.
Last year’s entries