Ben Bailey Smith
Once an underground rapper, in 2010 Ben Bailey Smith created the double BAFTA winning CBBC television series 4 O'clock Club, which combines razor sharp rhymes and laugh-out-loud comedy. It filmed its ninth season in 2018. He has appeared on Blue Peter, both as a performer and a contributor to their reviews of children's literature, and has been a storyteller on CBeebies' Bedtime Stories. In 2016 he contributed to Sky's countdown of the nation's favourite Roald Dahl books and in 2017 made an unforgettable cameo in the Sky One adaptation of the David Walliams' bestselling children's novel Ratburger.
In 2016, Ben released his first children's book, I Am Bear; and followed up quickly with sequel, Bear Moves. He has written a young adult play for the National Theatre's Connections programme. His latest work is a comic tale of the school run entitled Get a Move On!, aimed at 5-8 year olds. Ben lives in London.
Books
Bear Moves
Author: Ben Bailey Smith Illustrator: Sav Akyüz
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3-5
Ben Bailey Smith (aka “Doc Brown”) and Sav Akyüz team up again to deliver this hilariously funny sequel to I Am Bear. Its energetic and colourful illustrations and superb rhythmic text will keep readers in stitches from start to finish.
I am Bear
Author: Ben Bailey Smith and Sav Akyüz
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3-5
Meet Bear: the rebel hero of the forest. This charming and anarchic picture book celebrates a mischievious and loveable character.
Something I Said
Author: Ben Bailey Smith
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 10-13
Reading age: 10+
A career in comedy or the respect of your family and friends: if you had to choose, which would it be? Car’s story is a great reminder that making good decisions is often a consequence of making, and learning from, bad ones.