Mini Grey facts for kids

Mini Grey is a British writer and illustrator who creates amazing children's books, especially picture books for younger kids. She won a super important award called the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2007. This award is given by professional librarians for the best-illustrated children's book published in the UK. Her winning book was The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon.

One of her most popular books is Traction Man is Here. It's about the fun adventures of a boy's action figure around his house.

About Mini Grey

Mini Grey was born in a Mini car in Newport, a city in southern Wales. She uses "Mini" as her nickname, named after the car model! She grew up in Taplow, England.

As of 2007, she lives in Oxford with her partner and young son.

Mini Grey's Creative Work

Mini Grey is known for both writing and illustrating her own books. She also illustrates books written by other authors.

Books Written and Illustrated by Mini Grey

All these books were published by Jonathan Cape in the UK and Alfred A. Knopf in the US.

• Egg Drop (2002): This story is about an egg that really wants to fly! It's inspired by the classic character Humpty Dumpty.
• The Pea and the Princess (2003): This book retells the classic fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea" from the point of view of the little pea itself.
• Biscuit Bear (2004): In the US, this book is called Ginger Bear.
• Traction Man is Here (2005): This is the first book about Traction Man, an action figure who goes on exciting adventures.
• The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon (2006): This book won the Kate Greenaway Medal.
• Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog (2008): More adventures with Traction Man and his sidekick, Scrubbing Brush!
• Three by the Sea (2010)
• Traction Man and the Beach Odyssey (2011): Traction Man's adventures continue at the beach.
• Toys in Space (2013)
• Hermelin: The Detective Mouse (2015)
• Space Dog (2015)
• The Bad Bunnies' Magic Show (2017)
• The Last Wolf (2019)
• The Greatest Show on Earth (2022)

Books Illustrated by Mini Grey

Mini Grey has also brought stories to life with her illustrations for other authors.

• The Crocodile is Coming! (2005)
• Into the Woods (2006), by Lyn Gardner: A long fantasy novel.
• The Twin Giants (2007), by Dick King-Smith: A picture book.
• Jim, Who Ran Away from His Nurse, and Was Eaten by a Lion (2009): A special movable book version of an old poem.
• Out of the Woods (2010), by Lyn Gardner: The sequel to Into the Woods.
• Pippi Longstocking (2020), by Astrid Lindgren
• Pippi Longstocking in the South Seas (2020), by Astrid Lindgren
• Pippi Longstocking Goes Aboard (2020), by Astrid Lindgren
• Emil and the Sneaky Rat (2020), by Astrid Lindgren
• Emil's Clever Pig (2020), by Astrid Lindgren
• The Book of Not Entirely Useful Advice (2020), by A.F. Harrold
• Lotta Makes a Mess (2020), by Astrid Lindgren
• Lotta Says 'No!' (2020), by Astrid Lindgren
• Karlsson on the Roof (2021), by Astrid Lindgren
• Karlsson Flies Again (2021), by Astrid Lindgren
• The Children of Noisy Village (2021), by Astrid Lindgren
• Nothing but Fun in Noisy Village (2021), by Astrid Lindgren
• Happy Times in Noisy Village (2021), by Astrid Lindgren
• Money-Go-Round (2021), by Roger McGough

Awards and Special Mentions

Mini Grey has won several awards for her amazing books.

Awards Won

• 2004: Her book Biscuit Bear won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize in the 6–8 years age group.
• 2005: Traction Man is Here won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Picture Book.
• 2007: The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon won the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal.

Other Recognitions

Mini Grey's books have also been recognized as finalists or runners-up for other awards.

• 2003: The Pea and the Princess was on the shortlist for the Greenaway Medal.
• 2005: Biscuit Bear was on the shortlist for the Blue Peter Book Award.
• Traction Man is Here was on the Greenaway shortlist in 2005, the Blue Peter shortlist in 2006, and the Hampshire Illustrated Book Award shortlist in 2007.
• 2006: The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon was a bronze runner-up for the Smarties Prize in the 0–5 years age group.
• 2011: Jim, Who Ran Away from His Nurse, and Was Eaten by a Lion was on the Greenaway shortlist.