Gabby Dawnay

Gabby is a children’s writer, scriptwriter, poet and occasional illustrator. She has been 'poet-in-residence' for the children’s art and science magazine, ‘OKIDO’ since 2007 and co-adapted and developed the magazine for children's television, where it became hit CBeebies animated pre-school show: ‘Messy goes to OKIDO!' She has written for the Children's TV Classic series, Postman Pat, 'Rhyme Time Town' for Dreamworks, and several other animated series, including Chinese animated show Princess Doremi.

Children’s picture books include:

‘A POSSUM'S TAIL’ (nominated for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal)

‘LONDON CALLS!’ both published in 2014 by Tate Publishing. ‘London Calls’ was turned into a musical puppet show by the BUS KING THEATRE (a puppet theatre on a London Routemaster bus) and the book also has a range of merchandise, including 'The London Calls Sticker and Activities Book'.

2017 ‘IF I HAD A DINOSAUR’ was published by Thames & Hudson and ‘A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE AROUND THE BODY’ was published by Franklin Watts/Hachette, both illustrated by Alex Barrow. 'IF I HAD A DINOSAUR' won the best pre-school picture-books Made for Mums Silver Award 2018, and was read by Eddie Redmayne on Christmas Day 2017 on CBeebies Bedtime Stories.

'A ROLLER-COASTER RIDE AROUND THE BODY' was runner-up in the ASA Book Award 2017.

'A HOUSE FOR MOUSE', published by Thames & Hudson October 2018, on The Daily Telegraph's '50 Books That Blew Us Away' list.

'A SONG FOR BEAR' (published March 2019 Thames & Hudson) won the best pre-school picture-books Made for Mums Silver Award 2020.

'SAMUEL DREW HASN'T A CLUE' (prequel to 'A Possum's Tail') was published by Tate in June 2019.

'BAUHAUS BALLET - A Pop-Up Performance' was published in August 2019 by Laurence King to mark the centenary celebration of the Bauhaus movement, developed, designed and illustrated by Lesley Barnes.

'IF I HAD A SLEEPY SLOTH', was published by Thames & Hudson February 2020, AND read by DAVID SCHWIMMER on CBEEBIES BEDTIME STORIES.

'IF I HAD A UNICORN', came out August 2020 and won a Made For Mums Gold Award 2021.

'If I HAD AN OCTOPUS' was published April 2021 (T&H)

'THE LIBRARY BOOK' in collaboration with illustrator Ian Morris, published July 2021 (Thames & Hudson). Nominated for both the Klaus Flugge Award and CILIP Carnegie Award.

Books 2022:

'IF I HAD A KANGAROO' (T&H)

'IF I HAD A VAMPIRE BAT' (T&H)

'5 MINUTE NATURE STORIES' (Magic Cat publishing) - SHORTLISTED for the Queen's Knicker's Award

'A TREASURY OF TALES FOR 4 YEAR OLDS' (Wide Eyed Editions/Frances Lincoln)

Books 2023:

'IF I HAD A CROCODILE' (T&H) - LONGLISTED • CILIP Carnegie Award

'IF I HAD A POLAR BEAR' (T&H)

'THROUGH THE FAIRY DOOR' (Magic Cat publishing)

'ROUND AND ROUND GOES MOTHER NATURE' (Wide Eyed Editions)

'A TREASURY OF TALES FOR 5 YEAR OLDS' (Frances Lincoln)

Books 2024:

'A Field Guide to Spring' 1/4 (T&H)

'Wild Languages of Mother Nature' (Wide Eyed Editions) - WINNER 2025 ASE Primary Book of the Year, SHORTLISTED for UKLA Literary Association BOOK AWARDS, 3-11 year olds non-fiction

'5 Minute Ocean Stories' (Magic Cat Publishing)

'If I had a dragon' - 9/9 in the series (T&H)

'A Field Guide to Autumn' 2/4 (T&H)

Books in 2025:

'A Field Guide to Summer' 3/4 (T&H)

'5 Minute Space Stories' (Magic Cat Publishing)

'A Field Guide to Winter' 4/4 (T&H)

Books coming out in 2026:

'5 Minute Dinosaur Stories' (Magic Cat Publishing)

'The Bow Wow Ballet' (Thames & Hudson)

'If I had a penguin' (Thames & Hudson)

Gabby continues to work as sub-editor and regular contributor for award-winning ‘OKIDO’ magazine, and was part of the writing team for award-winning 'ECO KIDS PLANET' magazine (for which she also illustrated), for 9 years.

Gabby and illustrator Alex Barrow regularly run poetry and drawing workshops in schools and festivals for kids based around their books.

Gabby has two whippets: Hero, who is a qualified Pets As Therapy 'Reading Dog' and Remy, who is not.

She lives in Brixton, London with her family.