Charlotte Voake
Born and raised in Wales, Charlotte says that book illustration is "the only thing I ever wanted to do." Skipping formal training in art, she studied art history at London University and worked at an art gallery before embarking on a freelance career in illustration. "I don't know that I'm a funny person," says author-illustrator Charlotte, "but it seems when I begin to draw that the characters change, and they take on this amusing and amused look." Indeed, her illustrations are widely loved for this very quality of gentle wit, not to mention their quiet observation, airy exuberance and utter charm.
Books
Ginger
Author: Charlotte Voake
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 5+
Ginger has the perfect cat life - fed, warm and cared for. You know, made to feel special. Until, that is, his life is turned upside-down by the arrival of a kitten.
Ginger and the Mystery Visitor
Author: Charlotte Voake
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 2-5
Reading age: 6+
The little girl who looks after Ginger the kitten has a kind heart, and when a mystery cat becomes a regular visitor at dinner time she worries how to find out if he belongs to anyone.
Insect Detective
Author: Steve Voake Illustrator: Charlotte Voake
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6+
Reading age: 6+
A range of insects are introduced – wasps, solitary bees, ants, dragonflies – and their behaviour described.
Some Dinosaurs are Small
Author: Charlotte Voake
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 5+
A small dinosaur goes wandering through the forest in search of fruit and leaves - but the group of big hungry dinosaurs with sharp teeth and fearsome claws who are following him are in for a surprise!
The Further Adventures of the Owl and the Pussy-Cat
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Charlotte Voake
Publisher: Puffin Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+
At the end of Edward Lear's much loved poem, the happily married Owl and the Pussy-cat are dancing hand-in-hand on the edge of the sand... but what happened next?