Come and chat to NICK SHARRATT about his debut novel, The Cat and the King, on Thursday 1 September, at 4pm

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Hello

Nick Sharratt will be joining us on Thursday 1 September at 4pm to discuss his debut novel, The Cat and the King.

Nick Sharratt is one of the UK's favourite and most acclaimed illustrators, with over 250 books to his name; including the bestselling novels by Jacqueline Wilson. He has won every major award for his illustration and even been presented with a gold Blue Peter badge! Nick lives in Brighton.

Nick's fabulously funny debut novel, The Cat and the King, tells the story of a gentle, unworldly King and his very clever cat. Gloriously illustrated throughout in two colours, The Cat and the King is brimming with warmth, fun, and Nick’s irresistible wit. Find Nick at @nicksharratt1.

Nick will be speaking at the Bath Children’s Literature Festival later this year. This is the largest dedicated children’s book festival in Europe and regularly attracts some of the biggest children’s authors and illustrators from the UK and internationally.

Please do join us on the day or leave your question here in advance if you can’t make it!

Thanks
MNHQ

Hi Nick, I'm sorry I don't have a question but just wanted to say we've really enjoyed the exhibition all about you and your work that's been on in Worcester over the summer. My 4 year old absolutely loved it and wants to go again before school starts. Thank you!

No question, just delighted to hear about your new venture! My 4 year old loves your illustrations in the shark in the park series and You Choose!

We had great fun at your Dorman museum exhibition earlier in the year. Gutted we missed you at our favourite independent booksellers Drake The Bookshop in Stockton on Tees though.

Looking forward to taking my sprog to the bookshop already

Hi Nick, we all really love your work. My 4 year old is obsessed with Shark in the Park and both he and his 6 year old sister could probably make up new combinations in Mixed Up Fairy Tales all night given the chance! Congrats on the new book! Do you ever get 'artists block'?! (A bit like writers block). And if so, does it ever worry you?! And how did you get into this business?! Did you study art? Thanks!!

I have always been a big jacqueline wilson fan and love your pictures in her books!

How does it feel having a whole book to yourself rather than doing pictures for somebody else and sort of sharing the book

Also, did any of the writers give you any tips

Which book (before this one) have you felt most proud of your work in?

I grew up reading jacqueline Wilson and your illustrations and her writing are synonymous in my head.

Are you both quite pally now? I can picture lots of naice days with a glass of wine discussing what to put in the books :)

Also any tips for budding illustrators? Where did you get your big break?

Nick your stuff is great. I'm also a sharratt so high five to the sharratts of the world! My question is, what is your typical working day and how long does it take you to do each illustration?

Thanks!

Nick, just to say thank you really. You gave some brilliant, inspirational talks to Brighton Illustrator's Group when I was a newbie, making my dream job seem more achievable. I know there are plenty of aspiring children's' writers and illustrators here on Mumsnet so your top tips would be very welcome.

I grew up reading Jacqueline Wilson books and watching the TV adaptations which I loved!

As I understand it, you did some of the animations for the The Story of Tracy Beaker TV adaptation- how did it feel seeing Tracy Beaker come to live for the first time?

Hi Nick, you are perhaps most famous for your work with Jacqueline Wilson, but which other writer(s) have you particularly enjoyed working with apart from her? Thanks for all the great work you've done over the years :)

Another family here who love your work. My daughter would love to be an author/illustrator and you have definitely inspired her (in a good way!)

Is it what you always wanted to do? Were you always sketching/drawing?
Thanks

I wonder why adult fiction doesn't often have illustrations? In children's stories, the illustrations really add to the story, communicating things that the words don't. Couldn't illustrations do this for adult fiction too?

My one and a half year old can't talk but can do the actions to "shark in the park". We went paddling today with my two children and niece and nephew and were reciting it all the way. We also love "Yawn". I'd love to know how much interaction you have with writers you illustrate for. Do you meet once to discuss the brief, or all the way through the process, or are you pally and meet upto socialise?

Nick, i have always adored your work and my daughter loves your work too. We're looking forward to your new book. My moo will be first in line to read it. Like you, she has a blue peter badge- yours was for whipping up such fabulous illustrations for books, hers was for reading 365 books in 10 months. I feel you understand each other.

My question is (and probably not one you get often)- my daughter has written a book and i'm trying to illustrate it myself but i have arthritis so it can be difficult for me, i was wondering what obstacles you have encountered while illustrating books and how you over came them?

Love your work. I work in nurseries and I've thrown away so many copies of your book 'You Choose' I can't count. The children just love it so much they all gather round it and discuss what they would have, and the books tend to disintegrate through the constant group use. The only book that happens to. Any chance of printing some on metal panels?

Anyway, as I'm a wannabe children's author, any sneaky tips to make agents like my writing?

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Hi Nick,

If you could do something completely different for a living, what would it be? Is there anything you've always wanted to try?

Nick is here now drawing LIVE before his webchat. Watch him here!

What was your favourite book as a child.

Nick, your drawings are so reassuringly vibrant and happy, even when your characters are troubled . Do you actually have a DARK side and can you draw when you're feeling cranky or miserable?

Hello everybody, thank you for joining me. I'm really looking forward to answering your questions.

Have just watched you illustrations on Facebook. You make it look so easy! Now that cat, in theory, looks like it should be quite simple to draw. My attempt looks like it has had an accident

So my question, can you learn to draw or is it something innate. We dread the children asking us to do anything arty!

@Andbabymakesthree

What was your favourite book as a child.

It was the Giant Jam Sandwich, by John Vernon Lord and Janet Burroway. And I also loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, strangely lots of my favourite books seem to be about food.

@SmileAndNod

Have just watched you illustrations on Facebook. You make it look so easy! Now that cat, in theory, looks like it should be quite simple to draw. My attempt looks like it has had an accident

So my question, can you learn to draw or is it something innate. We dread the children asking us to do anything arty!

I think that it's a matter of confidence and that everybody can draw, some people just get too nervous about it. Like I said before, if you draw with a nice confident black line, it gives a sense that you believe in your drawing and people looking at it will believe in it too.

Hi Nick!

Who is your favourite king from history?