Draw me a Story is an exhibition showcasing the talent of six children's book illustrators living in the north of England. It celebrates the diversity of styles, mediums and processes used to create published works for children's literature, from picture books to graphic novels.
Join us for the exhibition preview on Saturday 12th October, from 2pm onwards. Meet the talented artists behind the exhibition who will be selling their books on the day!
Carly Gledhill is a children’s book author, Illustrator and surface pattern designer. Born and raised in Huddersfield she now lives in Manchester.
She has completed an MA in Children’s book illustration at the University of Central Lancashire and in 2024 her work was selected as a winner at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition.
Taking inspiration from 90’s kids TV, vintage books and collectables and time spent in her garden, Carly has written and illustrated picture books and has illustrated many other books for children.
Neil is a music-loving, star-gazing illustrator and author. His rural upbringing, in the Yorkshire Wolds, fuelled a playful imagination and a love of storytelling. This, combined with a degree in Illustration & Animation, led to a successful career in design. After years of creating products for clients around the globe, Neil has found his happy place, writing and illustrating children's books.
Penny Neville-Lee is a painter and illustrator specialising in children's books. With an MA in Painting from The Royal College of Art, she is happiest when surrounded by pencils and coming up with ideas for beautiful books. Penny lives and works in Manchester with her two children, husband and very adventurous cat.
Anjan Sarkar graduated with a degree in Illustration & Animation from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2001. Since focusing on children’s illustration in 2015, he has created artwork for over 35 books. These include picture books, black and white chapter books (for young and middle-grade readers) and full colour graphic novels.
In 2020, he illustrated ‘Agent Asha: Shark Bytes’ by Sophie Dean, which was nominated for a Little Rebels Children’s Book Award and shortlisted for the Royal Society Young People's Book Prize in 2021.
Anjan is currently working on the graphic novel adaptations of Stuart Gibbs’ Spy School series, the first of which was published by Simon & Schuster New York in February 2022. He is now up to book 5 in the ongoing (New York Times Best Selling!) series.
Holly Sterling is a children's author and illustrator, based in Sunderland, with a vibrant mixed heritage of white English and Jamaican descent. Her work reflects her personal experiences, particularly with a focus on positive representation, which has become a hallmark of her artwork.
Her author-illustrator debut with Walker Books, 'Karate Kids', was also shortlisted for The Telegraph Sports Book of the Year Award in 2021. Following its success, she released 'Ballet Kids', the second book in the series, which earned a spot on the 2024 ALA Rainbow Book List.
Holly has had the honour of being nominated for the prestigious CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal and won the Seven Stories National Nursery Rhyme Illustration Competition. She received a high commendation for the Macmillan Prize, and her work has been included in The Independent's Top 12 Books of the Year. Furthermore, her books have been featured in the EmpathyLab's 'Read for Empathy' list and the 'Summer Reading Challenge', showcasing her commitment to creating works that resonate with and educate young readers.
In addition to her creative career, Holly is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of illustrators. She has served as a mentor for the Pathways Into Children’s Publishing' programme during its 2019-2021 and 2023-2024 intakes. This programme is particularly focused on providing opportunities for individuals from underrepresented and marginalised backgrounds, reflecting Holly's own values and commitment to diversity in the children's publishing.
Aside from her literary and mentoring work, Holly Sterling is also involved in academia as a part-time lecturer in Illustration at the Northern School of Art. Together with her husband, she runs the Sendai Kushiro Karate Club in County Durham and Sunderland, which highlights her diverse interests and commitment to community engagement.
Illustrations © 2025 Holly Sterling
From WEDNESDAY IS FOR WIGGLING! Written by Eva Wong Nava & Illustrated by Holly Sterling
Reproduced by permission of Walker Books Ltd, London, SE11 5HJ
Lisa Stubbs is a printmaker, illustrator and educator living in the Holme Valley and printmaking in her studio at Globe arts, Slaithwaite.
Creating handprinted artwork using a variety of techniques including drypoint etching with milk cartons, collaging, screen printing and relief printing.
Lisa is inspired by the little moments in family life, the “I’m so lucky” money can’t buy moments. Pockets of time that are hard to describe, but feel good, wanting to capture feelings of being connected to family, friends and nature and the nostalgia that creates "The good vibes, the breath it in moments".