Polly Dunbar
Polly Dunbar studied illustration at Brighton Art School and now lives and works in London. Author and illustrator of Penguin, Dog Blue and Flyaway Katie, she thinks that colour is a brilliant way to cheer yourself up and whenever she's feeling grey, she puts on her best pink frock and paints! Polly is the daughter of the distinguished author Joyce Dunbar who she collaborated with on the picture book Shoe Baby. She is also the illustrator of My Dad's a Birdman, written by David Almond, and Here's a Little Poem, an anthology of poems for very young children. Polly was one of the Best New Illustrators 2008 and BookTrust's fourth writer in residence. Polly lives and works in Brighton.
Books
A Cat Called Penguin
Author: Holly Webb Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 6-9
Reading age: 8+
An entertaining story for fluent younger readers complemented by pen and ink illustrations
A Lion is a Lion
Author: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 5+
Everyone knows that lions are fierce, but this lion is dressed smartly and skips down the street. When he visits a little girl and boy for lunch, he eats all his greens. But the children are still worried... A modern fable that's sure to become a real favourite.
Doodle Bites
Author: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 3+
From the award-winning pen and paintbrush of Polly Dunbar comes a funny and sweet tale about misbehaving and learning to say sorry.
Down the Back of the Chair
Author: Margaret Mahy Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 6+
Mary's Father is growing poorer by the day and soon the family will run out of money. On top of that he has lost his car keys, so his daughter suggests he looks down the back of the chair.
Goodnight Tiptoe
Author: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 3+
This charming book will help children to better understand their own bedtime routine.
Happy Hector
Author: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+
A tale of playtime for Tilly and her animal friends, this time exploring themes of playing alone and playing together, feeling alone and feeling loved.
Hello Tilly
Author: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 3+
Tilly has a yellow storybook, and the characters in it become a house full of friends.
I Will Not Wear Pink
Author: Joyce Dunbar Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 6+
When Priscilla the pig invites Plunkett to a party, he refuses to wear the pink costume she has sent him. This uplifting tale about being yourself combines exuberant illustrations and jolly rhythmic text, which is great fun to read aloud.
Measuring Angels
Author: Lesley Ely
Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+
A heartwarming tale with beautiful illustrations that reminds us how good it is to work together.
Penguin
Author: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 5+
Polly Dunbar's illustrations are gorgeous and her palette stylish - from the endearing Ben's rosy cheeks to the magnificent turquoise lion who eats him up.
Ready for Spaghetti
Author: Michael Rosen
Publisher: Walker
The poems are such fun to read out loud and say together that they feel like new classics that will be said and passed down the generations. And the charming llustrations make this a book to get out night after night, day after day.
Red Red Red
Author: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 2-4
This is a funny and relatable picture book about tantrums for parents and carers, who know all too well how little things can escalate – from wanting a biscuit to having a full-scale meltdown. Perfect for little ones who can feel overwhelmed by their emotions.
The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon
Author: David Almond Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 8-10
Reading age: 9+
A child's imagination is a wonderful thing and Paul's is more wonderful and vivid than many. He has a theory - that the moon is not really the moon but a great big hole in the sky.
The Hug
Author: Eoin McLaughlin
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Interest age: 3-5
Tortoise and Hedgehog are both feeling sad, and they both want a hug - but Tortoise's shell is putting the animals off, and Hedgehog is too prickly. Will they ever find a squeeze? A clever, touching flip book.
Where's Tumpty
Author: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 1+
Reading age: 5+
One of Polly Dunbar's Tilly and Friends series, which follow the imaginary adventures of Tilly and her toy animals.