Born in London, Jane studied art and design at Middlesex University. After graduating she designed a series of greetings cards for Roger la Borde, with whom she still works, followed by various editorial work, posters and book jackets.
But she was drawn to the world of children’s books and in 1989 her first full colour picture book, A Balloon for Grandad by Nigel Gray, was published, the start of a long and continuing collaboration with Orchard. Since then Jane has illustrated over 60 children’s books, working with authors such as Michael Rosen, Carol Ann Duffy, Jeanette Winterson, Dianne Hofmeyr and Kevin Crossley Holland.
She also writes her own material including Can you catch a Mermaid?, The Apple Pip Princess, The Dolls House Fairy, Ahmed and the Feather Girl and The Elephant’s Garden.
Jane has always shown her work and exhibits regularly at:
Primavera, Cambridge
Prizes & Awards
Jane was the IBBY UK Illustrator nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Awards in 2018
Shortlisted for the Mother Goose Award:
A Balloon For Grandad, 1989
Shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award:
Noah’s Ark, 1991
The Story of Christmas, 1992
The Happy Prince, 1995
Fairy Tales, 2001
Jinnie Ghost, 2005
The Lost Happy Endings, 2008
Winner, Smarties Award (6-8 years):
The Story of the Creation, 1992
Shortlisted for the Kurt Maschler Award:
The Song of the Earth, 1995
Jane has also produced work for:
The London Film Festival
The Royal Opera House
Covent Garden
The Young Vic
The National Theatre
Dartington International Summer School
Polka Children’s Theatre
Liberty Art Fabrics
Amnesty International
Unicef