Daniel Gray-Barnett

Daniel Gray-Barnett is an illustrator and author based in the Huon Valley, Tasmania. His first picture book, Grandma Z, won a Children’s Book Council of Australia award and was chosen by the International Youth Library as one of 2019’s White Ravens.

A self-taught illustrator, Daniel studied Medical Science in Sydney before swapping his microscope for pencils when he realised illustration had a much lower patient mortality rate.

His books include the Poems Aloud series, written by Joseph Coelho (UK Children’s Laureate in 2022), The Pocket Chaotic, written by Ziggy Hanaor, which was one of Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Books of the Year in 2022, and Come Over To My House, written by Sally Rippin and Eliza Hull, which was a Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book of 2023.

He’s worked with clients including Disney, Kiehl’s, Facebook, Sydney Opera House, Penguin Random House and The New York Times.

When he’s not in the studio, Daniel can be found daydreaming in the garden with his husband, son, and their dogs, Illi and Poe.