James Mayhew facts for kids
James John Mayhew (born 1964) is an English artist who creates children's books. He is an illustrator, author, and storyteller. He also presents classical music concerts where he paints live while the music plays.
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Early Life and Education
James Mayhew grew up in a village called Blundeston in Suffolk, England. His father was an RAF pilot. James was one of the first students at Benjamin Britten High School. He later went to Denes High School in Lowestoft. After finishing school, Mayhew studied art. He attended Lowestoft School of Art from 1982 to 1984. Then he went to Maidstone College of Art. This college is now part of the University for the Creative Arts.
Publishing Career
James Mayhew's first book was Katie's Picture Show, published in 1989. The idea for this book came to him in 1982. He was a pavement artist in Lowestoft during the summer. He recreated famous artworks on the ground. This inspired the idea of a girl who explores paintings. She does this by climbing inside them. The main character, Katie, is based on his sister, Katharine.
There are now 14 books in the Katie series. These books often feature famous art. Examples include Katie and the Mona Lisa and Katie and the Starry Night. In 2014, Mayhew redrew the pictures for Katie's Picture Show. This was for its 25th anniversary. A musical play based on Katie and the Mona Lisa was performed in 2013. Katie in London was chosen for a special project in 2014. Fifty books were turned into benches. Mayhew painted his bench by hand. It was placed near the Tower of London.
Mayhew has published over 50 books. Some of his popular series include Ella Bella Ballerina and Gaspard the Fox. He also illustrated the Mouse and Mole books. These were made into a TV show for BBC. Other books he has illustrated include Nen and the Lonely Fisherman and Mrs Noah's Pockets. His books have been published in many countries. These include Japan, China, Germany, and the USA. He has also written for children's TV shows. These shows include Melody and Driver Dan's Story Train.
Awards and Recognition
In 1994, James Mayhew won The New York Times Award. This was for The Boy and the Cloth of Dreams. It was named one of the ten best illustrated books of the year. In 2011, he was the first illustrator to appear on BBC's Authors Live series. This series is for the Scottish Book Trust.
In 2019, his book Mrs Noah's Pockets was long-listed for the Kate Greenaway Prize. Mrs Noah's Garden was also nominated for the same award in 2020. In 2022, Nen and the Lonely Fisherman won the first Children's and YA Polari Prize. This award is for LGBTQ+ books. The book was also nominated for the Kate Greenaway Prize in 2021. It was shortlisted for a Bookseller "Book of the Year" award in 2022.
Presenting Concerts
Since 2007, James Mayhew has created and presented classical music concerts for children. He works with orchestras and musicians. During these events, he tells stories and paints live. His artwork is usually shown on a large screen. He has presented concerts based on famous pieces of music. These include Peter and the Wolf and The Firebird. He also presented Pictures at an Exhibition and The Planets. In 2016, he performed at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time.
Mayhew has worked with many famous groups. These include the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He has also worked with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. In 2013, he designed sets and costumes for an opera. This was for Noye's Fludde in Tewkesbury Abbey. It celebrated Benjamin Britten's 100th birthday.
In 2017, a composer named Bernard Hughes adapted Mayhew's book. The book was The Knight Who Took All Day. It became a concert piece for orchestra and narrator. Mayhew himself narrated and illustrated the first performance. He also performed with singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram. He painted while she sang two songs.
In July 2017, Mayhew narrated a new orchestral work for children. He also wrote the script for it. The piece was called The Caretaker's Guide to the Orchestra. Jeremy Holland-Smith composed the music. Mayhew is an artistic advisor for The Són Project. This is a professional orchestra in Southampton.
Mayhew has published two books of stories based on music. These are Once Upon a Tune (2021) and A Symphony of Stories (2024).
Other Projects
James Mayhew often speaks at festivals and schools. In 2014, he was the Illustrator in Residence. This was at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. His art has been shown at the Scottish National Gallery. He has also worked on projects in Singapore and Vietnam. He used to teach students about children's book illustration. He also taught writing courses.
Mayhew advises a charity called Action for Children's Arts. He has also worked with the Society of Authors. He helps to improve opportunities for children's authors. The art he creates at concerts helps raise money for charities. He is also a patron of Magic Lantern. This is a charity that teaches about art.
Books Written or Illustrated by Mayhew
- Katie and the Bathers
- Katie and the Dinosaurs
- Katie and the Starry Night
- Katie and the Mona Lisa
- Katie and the Sunflowers
- Katie in London
- Katie and the Impressionists
- Katie's Picture Show
- Katie and the Spanish Princess
- Katie and the Waterlily Pond
- Katie in Scotland
- Katie and the British Artists
- Katie's London Christmas
- Katie's Sunday Afternoon
- Once Upon A Tune
- Gaspard the Fox (by Zeb Soanes)
- Gaspard the Fox - Best in Show (by Zeb Soanes)
- Nen and the Lonely Fisherman (by Ian Eagleton)
- Gaspard's Foxtrot (by Zeb Soanes)
- Mrs Noah's Pockets (by Jackie Morris)
- Mrs Noah's Garden (by Jackie Morris)
- Mrs Noah's Song (by Jackie Morris)
- Who Wants a Dragon? (illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner)
- When Dragons Are Dreaming (illustrated by Lindsey Gardiner)
- Bubble & Squeak (illustrated by Clara Vulliamy)
- Can You See a Little Bear? (illustrated by Jackie Morris)
- Starlight Sailor (illustrated by Jackie Morris)
- Koshka's Tales: Stories from Russia
- Ella Bella Ballerina and The Sleeping Beauty
- Ella Bella Ballerina and Swan Lake
- Ella Bella Ballerina and Cinderella
- Ella Bella Ballerina and The Nutcracker
- Ella Bella Ballerina and A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Ella Bella Ballerina and the Magic Toyshop
- Madame Nightingale Will Sing Tonight
- Dare You!
- Miranda the Explorer
- Miranda the Castaway
- The Magic Sword
- Boy
- The Knight Who Took All Day
- To Sleep, Perchance to Dream (Shakespeare)
- Shakespeare's Stories (retold by Beverly Birch)
- Barefoot Book of Stories from the Opera (retold by Shahrukh Husain)
- Shakespeare's Story Book: Folk Tales that inspired the Bard (retold by Patrick Ryan)
- Pinocchio (retold by Josephine Poole)
- Mouse and Mole (written by Joyce Dunbar)
- Mouse and Mole Have a Party (by Joyce Dunbar)
- A Very Special Mouse and Mole (by Joyce Dunbar)
- Happy Days for Mouse and Mole (Joyce Dunbar)
- The Boy and the Cloth of Dreams (written by Jenny Koralek)
- The Cloth of Dreams (anthology edited by Sally Grindley)
- Tales of Ghostly Ghouls and Haunting Horrors (written by Martin Waddell)
- Boneless and the Tinker
- Death and the Neighbours
- Gallows Hill
- Soft Butler's Ghost
