Ann James

Ann James grew up in Melbourne, Australia. An acclaimed illustrator, Ann’s playful approach to making pictures is reflected in the stories she chooses and the ways she illustrates them, using a variety of materials and techniques.

In a career spanning 40 years, Ann has illustrated over 70 books, including I’m a Dirty Dinosaur and I’m a Hungry Dinosaur, by Janeen Brian; Margaret Wild’s The Midnight Gang; Lucy Goosey; Little Humpty; and Goodbye House, Hello House; Sadie & Ratz by Sonya Hartnett; the Audrey of the Outback series and It’s a Miroocool! by Christine Harris; Ready, Set Skip! by Jane O'Connor; A Very Quacky Christmas, by Frances Watts; and her own Bird & Bear books. Many of her books, first published in Australia, have been published internationally.

Her most recent picture book, Goodbye, Old House, by Margaret Wild is published by Blue Dot in 2021.

Ann is an Ambassador of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and was the nominated Australian Illustrator for the Hans Christian Andersen Award, 2020.

Ann with her partner Ann Haddon, established Books Illustrated in Melbourne in 1988. For over 30 years they have promoted Australian picture books and their creators through exhibitions and events in Australia and overseas.