Nick Maland

Nick has been illustrating for nearly forty years. When he left university, he wanted to act and, as with many actors, had rather a lot of down time. So he started designing sets and posters, and then caricatures for bands for the music press. He got a lucky break which led him to a career in editorial illustration with staff roles for national press in the UK – The Guardian, The Times and The Observer.

When his daughter, Eloise, was born, Nick switched to children’s books. He has worked with wonderful writers including Kathryn Cave, Mara Bergman, Hilary McKay, Jeanne Willis, Angela McAllister, Nicola Davies, and Sally Gardner. Nick has won a number of major awards – he is most proud of the V&A award in the UK, and the Society of Illustrators award in the US.

Nick lives in Camden,London, with his family and dog. His children, Eloise and Aldo, and his dog, Simp, are all named after characters from children’s books.

‘We Light Up the Sky with Music’:

Music has always been an important part of my life – both playing and listening. As a child I played the saxophone, the clarinet, and the piano – but like most people fell out of the habit. During lockdown, I bought an old saxophone and started playing again. I remembered the frustration of practicing and the joy of improving each day. This experience inspired me to write my story about the importance and delight of playing and enjoying music. How music, like theatre, can change perspective on how we feel about life, our family and friends, as well as ourselves.