ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES - JANE SIMMONS

Gertie and Bertie the lovebirds, and Madge and John the dogs are Simmons’ living companions on her ex-fishing boat now moored in Cornwall. It is this and the wildlife she can see from the wheelhouse that provides Simmons with her inspiration. It is no surprise that her home is hardly conventional having travelled extensively with her family and living in a whole range of unusual homes.

Having tried her hand at landscape gardening, futon making, teaching basket weaving and soft toy making she claims that the only thing to hold her interest was the idea of illustrating children’s books. She therefore studied illustration as a mature student at Anglia University, Cambridge where her talent was recognised with several awards.

Simmons’ delightful stories of Daisy the inquisitive and disobedient duckling have captured the hearts and imaginations of many, while her bold, sweeping brushstrokes and clever use of perspective have propelled her to the very top of the children’s illustration field.

‘Come On, Daisy!’ was shortlisted for the Mother Goose Award 1998, the Best British Book Award 1998 and won the Silver Award in the Smarties Book Prize 1998 (0-5 category). It also received a ‘highly commended’ accolade in the prestigious Kate Greenaway competition in 1999.