Ann James facts for kids

Ann Catherine Stewart James, born on October 6, 1952, is a talented Australian artist. She has illustrated more than 60 children's books. Ann also wrote some of these books herself. She was born in Melbourne, Australia. Ann James started illustrating books in the 1980s. She has helped a lot to make children's books popular in Australia. She received the Pixie O'Harris Award in 2000. In 2002, she also won the national Dromkeen Medal for her work in children's literature. Ann James still lives and works in Melbourne. There, she runs a special gallery and studio called Books Illustrated. She started this place with Ann Haddon in 1988.

Ann James's Early Life and Education

Ann James was born in Melbourne, Australia, in October 1952. She grew up in a suburb called Ringwood. Ann went to Norwood Primary School and then Tintern Girls School. Later, she studied at Melbourne Teachers College. She trained to be an arts and crafts teacher.

Ann taught at Doveton and Ringwood High Schools in Melbourne. After teaching, she worked for the Ministry of Education in Victoria. From 1978 to 1988, she was a graphic designer and illustrator. She created pictures for educational books.

Starting Her Career in Children's Books

During her time at the Ministry of Education, Ann began illustrating children's books on her own. Her first book was A Pet for Mrs Arbuckle. Gwenda Smyth wrote this book. They entered it in a competition in 1981.

By 1988, Ann had illustrated 14 books. Her career in children's books was growing fast. She decided to leave the Department of Education. Ann then co-founded a gallery called Books Illustrated. This gallery was made just for children's book illustrations. Since then, she has worked to promote Australian children's books. She continues to illustrate books from her home in Melbourne. She also has a studio near Castlemaine, Victoria.

Ann James's Illustrative Career

Many of Ann James's books have won awards. Some were also chosen as finalists for the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year awards. For example, Bernice Knows Best by Max Dann won the CBCA Junior Book of the Year in 1984. Hannah Plus One by Libby Gleeson won the same award in 1997.

Also in 1997, The Midnight Gang by Margaret Wild was a CBCA Picture Book of the Year Honor book. It later won three Children's Choice awards across Australia. Other books that were finalists for the CBCA Awards include Dog In, Cat Out by Gillian Rubinstein. Also, Hannah and the Tomorrow Room by Libby Gleeson, and Looking Out for Sampson by Libby Hathorn. Her popular Penny Pollard’s Diary and Penny Pollard’s Letters by Robin Klein were also finalists.

Books Illustrated Gallery

In 1988, Ann James and Ann Haddon started Books Illustrated. This is a gallery and studio space in Melbourne. It has become a very important place for children's literature. It also showcases children's book illustrations. Many famous Australian illustrators have shown their work there. These include Terry Denton, Shaun Tan, and Leigh Hobbs.

Ann James's original artwork is kept in special collections. These include the Lu Rees Archives at University of Canberra. Her work is also part of the Dromkeen Collection, the Fremantle Children's Literature Centre, Seasons Gallery, and the Customs House Gallery.

In 2016, Ann James was given a special award. She became a Member of the Order of Australia. This award was for her important work in children's literature. It recognized her as an author and illustrator. It also honored her efforts in supporting reading and professional groups.

Books Illustrated by Ann James

• A Pet for Mrs Arbuckle, Gwenda Smyth, 1981
• Jo Jo and Mike, Jenny Wagner, 1982
• Bernice Knows Best, Max Dann, 1983
• Penny Pollard's Diary, Robin Klein, 1983
• The ABC of What You Can Be, 1984
• Where's my Shoe?, Hazel Edwards, 1984
• Snakes & Ladders, Robin Klein, 1984
• Penny Pollard's Letters, Robin Klein, 1984
• Dangers and Disasters, various authors, 1986
• Penny Pollard in Print, Robin Klein, 1986
• Looking Out for Sampson, Libby Hathorn, 1987
• Sportsmad, Hazel Edwards, 1987
• Penny Pollard's Passport, Robin Klein, 1988
• Wiggy and Boa, Anna Fienberg, 1988
• A Hobby for Mrs Arbuckle, Gwenda Smyth, 1989
• One Day: a very first Dictionary, 1989
• Prince Lachlan, Nette Hilton, 1989
• Penny Pollard's Guide to Modern Manners, Robin Klein, 1989
• Beryl & Bertha at the Beach, Pippa MacPherson, 1990
• Amy the Indefatigable Autograph Hunter, Judith Worthy, 1990
• First at Last, Julia McClelland, 1990
• Dial-a-Croc, Mike Dumbleton, 1991
• Dog In, Cat Out, Gillian Rubinstein, 1991
• The Ding Dong Daily, Kathleen Hill, 1991
• The Ding Dong Daily Extra, Kathleen Hill, 1992
• The Backsack Bulletin, Rod Quantock, 1992
• Tangles, Errol Broome, 1993
• Rockhopper, Errol Broome, 1994
• Snap!, Margaret Ballinger, 1994
• Jessica Joan, Wendy Orr, 1994
• Skating on Sand, Libby Gleeson, 1994
• Madeline the Mermaid and other Fishy Tales, Anna Fienberg, 1995
• Making Pictures: techniques for illustrating Children's Books, Ann Haddon, 1996
• Hannah Plus One, Libby Gleeson, 1996
• Dead Sailors don't Bite, Anna Fienberg, 1996
• The Midnight Gang, Margaret Wild, 1996
• Pidge, Krista Bell, 1997
• Dog Star, Janeen Brian, 1997
• After Dusk, Ted Greenwood, 1997
• A Coat of Cats, Jeri Kroll, 1998
• Elephant's Lunch, Kate Walker, 1998
• Magnus Maybe, Errol Broome, 1998
• Lizzy & Smiley, Julia McClelland, 1999
• The Midnight Feast, Margaret Wild, 1999
• Penny Pollard's Scrapbook, Robin Klein, 1999
• Penny Pollard's Diary, Robin Klein, 1999 (reissue)
• Penny Pollard's Passport, Robin Klein, 1999 (reissue)
• Penny Pollard in Print, Robin Klein, 1999 (reissue)
• Penny Pollard's Letters, Robin Klein, 1999 (reissue)
• Penny Pollard's Guide to Modern Manners, Robin Klein, 1999 (reissue)
• Hannah & the Tomorrow Room, Libby Gleeson, 1999
• Baby, Tania Cox, 2000
• Missing Mem, Errol Broome, 2000
• Jessica Joan, Wendy Orr, 2000 (reissue)
• The Mermaid's Tail, Raewyn Caisley, 2001
• Shutting the Chooks In, Libby Gleeson, 2003
• Shoo Cat, Ian Bone, 2003
• Little Humpty, Margaret Wild, 2003
• Jessie & Mr Smith, Jane Godwin, 2003
• Hannah the Famous, Libby Gleeson, 2004
• The Way I Love You, David Bedford, 2004
• Muscles, Hazel Edwards, 2005
• Tai's Penguin, Raewyn Caisley, 2006
• Ready, Set, Skip!, Jane O'Connor, 2007
• Lucy Goosey, Margaret Wild, 2007
• Audrey of the Outback, Christine Harris, 2008
• Audrey Goes to Town, Christine Harris, 2008
• Sadie & Ratz, Sonya Hartnett, 2008
• I'm A Dirty Dinosaur, Janeen Brian, 2013 ISBN: 9780670076154
• I’m A Hungry Dinosaur, Janeen Brian, 2015 ISBN: 9780670078103