Charlie Small

I was born above a tobacconist shop in the High Street of a small market town, and the atmosphere of that cosy, pungent place still influences me today, especially in my writing. I can remember corridors and stairs, deep cellars and hidden rooms and the spicy smell of snuff and pipe tobacco. At the bottom of our garden was a brick built shed with a hidden door into my father's darkroom, a magical place where there were bottles and jars of strange liquids and multi-coloured marbles. It was all pulled down a long time ago, but I still visit it in my mind's eye.

I've always loved books and book illustration, and by the time I finished studying Graphic Design, I'd had my first picture book accepted for publication. I've been producing picture and story books ever since.

As well as writing the Charlie Small and Alfie Small adventure books, I also write under my own name, Nick Ward.

Visit my website: www.nickwardillustration.co.uk