Richard Jones

I was born in Coventry, West Midlands, and moved to Leamington Spa when I was 8. Leamington was a great place to grow up. Just around the corner there was a park with a little stream running through it. We called it the Brook. The Brook was the scene of some of my happiest memories. There were limitless supplies of adventures, football, bike races, conkers, tree climbing, fights, and laughter. I even got bitten on the backside by a dog there.

I studied graphic design and illustration at the University of Plymouth, in Exeter. I got a first and afterwards stayed on for a few more years to complete a PhD. I found my thesis the other day and tried to read the first page. I didn’t understand a word of it…

While completing the degree I started working at Exeter Central Library. I worked in all departments but loved the Children’s library the most. I started to wonder if I shouldn’t have a go at making the books myself...

I’d been painting and drawing since graduating and doing different kinds of graphic design, but always had a feeling that children’s publishing was the place I wanted to be. I sent a few samples to my an agent and was bowled over to be welcomed into the Bright family.

I now write and illustrate from the smallest room in my house. Across the roof tops of Exeter, and between the rounded Devon hills, I can just about make out the distant sparkling sea.

From the illustrator's website