Colin Thompson (writer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Colin Thompson
Born	Colin Edward Willment (1942-10-18) 18 October 1942 (age 83) Ealing, Middlesex, UK
Occupation	Writer, illustrator
Nationality	British, Australian
Period	1990–present
Genre	Children's books, poetry, young adult novels, picture books

Colin Edward Thompson, born on October 18, 1942, is a talented English-Australian writer and illustrator. He is famous for creating wonderful children's books. Colin has published over 70 books and also designs amazing pictures for jigsaw puzzles. In 2004, his novel How to Live Forever won the prestigious Aurealis Award for children's long fiction.

Meet Colin Thompson: Writer and Illustrator

Colin Thompson's stories and illustrations have captured the imaginations of many young readers. He is known for his detailed, whimsical, and colorful artwork. His unique style makes his books and even his jigsaw puzzles truly special.

Colin's Early Life and Creative Journey

Colin Edward Thompson was born on October 18, 1942, in Ealing, which is now part of west London, United Kingdom. His mother changed his last name to Thompson in 1953 when she remarried. Colin attended boarding school in Yorkshire and later a grammar school in West London.

He studied art for two years at college in Ealing and Hammersmith. After college, he worked as a silk-screen printer and a graphic designer. Later, he went to London Film School and helped make documentaries for the BBC. In 1968, he moved to Mallorca and then to the Outer Hebrides. There, he and his wife started a business making ceramics. They continued this work after moving to Cumbria in 1975. Colin has three daughters. In 1995, he moved to Australia and became an Australian citizen. He married Anne, an Australian librarian, in 1999.

Becoming a Published Author and Artist

Colin Thompson began his career as a writer and illustrator a bit later in life. In 1990, he first showed his black-and-white drawings to a publisher. He thought someone else would write the stories for his pictures. However, the publisher asked him to write the stories himself and to color his illustrations.

His very first picture book, Ethel the Chicken, was published in 1991. Since then, he has published over 70 books. Many of these are children's books that he illustrates himself. He has also written several series of novels for pre-teens and young adults. Colin's detailed and imaginative illustrations are so popular that they are often used for jigsaw puzzles by companies like Ravensburger and for cross-stitch kits.

Celebrating Colin Thompson's Award-Winning Books

Colin Thompson has received many awards for his wonderful books. His first major award was in 1995 when Ruby won the English 4–11 Picture Book Award.

In 1999, Staircase Cat was a finalist for the Children's Book of the Year Award in Australia. He was a finalist four more times in this category. In 2006, he won the award for best picture book with The Short and Incredibly Happy Life of Riley. Other books that were finalists include The Violin Man (2004), Dust (2008), and The Big Little Book of Happy Sadness (2009).

In 2004, his novel How to Live Forever won the Aurealis Award for children's long fiction. The Floods Family Files was also a finalist for best graphic novel in 2008. Colin was recognized by the International Board on Books for Young People in 2002 for his illustrations in Falling Angels. In 2007, his book Castles received the Hampshire Illustrated Book Award.

Exploring Colin Thompson's Wonderful Books