Liz Pichon

Liz Pichon (born 16 August 1963) is a British illustrator and children's writer. She is best known for her Tom Gates series of "satirical realist comedy fiction", which has been translated into 43 languages and sold more than eight million copies worldwide.

Liz Pichon
Pichon in Waterstones at Piccadilly, London, December 2018
Born (1963-08-16) 16 August 1963
London, England
NationalityBritish
Alma materCamberwell School of Art
OccupationIllustrator and children's writer
Known forTom Gates series
Spouse(s)Mark Flannery
Children3
Websitelizpichon.com

Early life

Pichon was born on 16 August 1963 in London, England.[1] She studied graphic design at the Camberwell School of Art.[2] Her first job was as an art director for the music label Jive Records.[2]

Her best-selling and multi-award-winning Tom Gates series was first published in 2011. There are currently 17 books in the Tom Gates series, as well as a special £1 book produced for World Book Day in 2013, a Tom Gates Annual, a Tom Gates Activity Book and a Tom Gates Music Book.

In 2016 Pichon created the "Kids' Tapestry", a children's version of the Bayeux Tapestry, featuring historical events to the mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.[3]

In 2017 Pichon, Horsenden Primary School and her publisher, Scholastic Children's Books, broke the world record for the largest disco dance.[4]

Shoe Wars, Pichon's new middle-grade title, was published in October 2020.

A new television series based on the Tom Gates books will air on Sky in 2021.

Personal life

Pichon is dyslexic, like her character Tom Gates. She lives in Brighton with her husband Mark and their three children.[5][2]

Works

Outside of Tom Gates
  • My Big Brother, Boris (Scholastic, 2004)
  • Bored Bill (Little Tiger, 2015)
  • Penguins (London: Gullane Children's Books, 2008)
  • The Three Horrid Pigs and the Big Friendly Wolf (Little Tiger, 2008); US title, The Three Horrid Little Pigs (Tiger Tales, 2008)
  • Shoe Wars (Scholastic UK, 2020)

As illustrator only (selected)
  • Twilight Rhymes Moonlight Verse, compiled by Mary Joslin (Oxford: Lion Children's Books, 1997)
  • Spinderella, written by [Julia Donaldson][Egmont UK], 2002)
  • Beautiful Bananas, Elizabeth Laird (Oxford, 2003)
  • The Three Billy Goats Fluff, Rachael Mortimer (Hodder Children's Books, 2010)
  • Red Riding Hood and the Sweet Little Wolf, Rachael Mortimer (Hodder, 2012)

Tom Gates series
  • The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (2011)
  • Tom Gates: Excellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff) (2011)
  • Tom Gates: Everything's Amazing (Sort Of) (2011)
  • Tom Gates: Genius Ideas (Mostly) (2012)
  • Tom Gates Is Absolutely Fantastic (at Some Things) (2013)
  • Tom Gates: Best Book Day Ever! (so far) (2013)
  • Tom Gates: Extra Special Treats (not) (2013)
  • Tom Gates: A Tiny Bit Lucky (2014)
  • Tom Gates: Yes! No (Maybe... ) (2015)
  • Tom Gates: Top of the Class (Nearly) (2015)
  • Tom Gates: Super Good Skills (Almost...) (2016)
  • Tom Gates: DogZombies Rule (For Now) (2016)
  • Tom Gates: Family, Friends and Furry Creatures (2017)
  • Tom Gates: Epic Adventure (kind of) (2017)
  • Tom Gates: Totally Brilliant Annual (2017)
  • Tom Gates: Biscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans (2018)
  • Tom Gates: What Monster? (2018)
  • Tom Gates: Mega Make and Do (and Stories Too!) (2019)
  • Tom Gates: Spectacular School Trip (really!) (2019)
  • Tom Gates: Ten Tremendous Tales (2020)

Awards

Runner-up:

  • 2004: Silver Award, Nestlé Smarties Book Prize (0–5 years), My Big Brother Boris
  • 2008: Finalist, Red House Children's Book Award and the Stockport Schools Book Award, The Three Horrid Pigs and the Big Friendly Wolf
  • 2012: Shortlisted for the Specasvers National Book Awards Children's Book of the Year, Genius Ideas (Mostly)

References
  1. "FAQ's / Liz Pichon". lizpichon.com.
  2. Lambert, Victoria (10 August 2016). "Liz Pichon on how dyslexia inspired her Tom Gates children's books - and made them a global phenomenon". Retrieved 9 December 2017 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  3. "'Kids' Tapestry' by Liz Pichon marks Battle of Hastings anniversary - CBBC Newsround". Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  4. Horsenden Primary (2 November 2017), Horsenden's Guinness World Record on BBC Breakfast, retrieved 12 October 2018
  5. "Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011". Prizes Archive: Roald Dahl Funny Prize. Booktrust. Retrieved 2014-10-15. With more information linked, including 17 November 2011 interview of Pichon.
  6. "Blue Peter Books Awards 2013". Prizes: Blue Peter Book Awards. Booktrust. Retrieved 2014-10-15. With more information linked.
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