Nick Sharratt facts for kids

Nick Sharratt (born 9 August 1962) is a super talented British author and illustrator. He creates amazing pictures for children's books. He's famous for working with many writers, especially Jacqueline Wilson for thirty years! He also illustrated books for Jeremy Strong, Giles Andreae, Julia Donaldson, and Michael Rosen.

Nick Sharratt was chosen to be the official illustrator for World Book Day in 2006. He has illustrated about 250 books! More than 50 of these were for Jacqueline Wilson. Some popular ones include The Lottie Project, Little Darlings, and The Story of Tracy Beaker. Tracy Beaker was the most borrowed library book in the UK for ten years! Books illustrated by Nick and written by Jacqueline Wilson have sold over 40 million copies in the UK. His own picture books have sold more than 10 million copies.

Nick Sharratt's Early Life

Nick Sharratt was born on 9 August 1962 in Bexleyheath, which is in Greater London. He grew up with his three younger brothers and sisters. His family lived in different places like Suffolk, Nottinghamshire, and Manchester.

He loved art from a young age. Nick went to Manchester Polytechnic (now called Manchester Metropolitan University) for an art course. Later, he studied graphic design at St. Martin's School of Art. He found inspiration in the bright, bold pop art and graphic art from the 1960s. He remembered these styles from when he was a child.

His Amazing Work as an Illustrator

Nick Sharratt is busy! He illustrates books for other children's authors. He also writes and illustrates his own fun picture books for younger kids.

Some of Nick's own popular books include Shark in the Park and Ketchup on your Cornflakes?. He also created What's In the Witch's Kitchen? and Don't Put Your Finger in the Jelly, Nelly!. Other favorites are Octopus Socktopus and My Mum and Dad make Me Laugh. He worked with Pippa Goodhart to create the best-selling book You Choose.

Nick has illustrated many books for other authors too. He drew the pictures for Pants, written by Giles Andreae. He also illustrated Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose, Goat Goes to Playgroup, and Toddle Waddle by Julia Donaldson. Nick has even written two chapter books himself. They are called The Cat and the King and Nice Work for the Cat and the King.

You might have seen Nick's work on screen! Shark in the Park has been turned into a touring stage show. His lively illustrations were a big part of the popular CBBC TV shows The Story of Tracy Beaker and Tracy Beaker Returns. Nick also has a special touring art exhibition called 'Pirates, Pants and Wellyphants'. Over 140,000 people have visited it so far!

Awards and Recognition

Nick Sharratt has won many awards for his wonderful books and illustrations. These include the Red House Children's Book Award and the Nestle Children's Book Award. He also won The Right Start Award and the Under Fives non-fiction She/WHSmith Award. He even won the Educational Writers Award!

He has won many regional library book prizes across the UK. These include awards in Nottingham, Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Perth, Sheffield, Stockport, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Somerset. In 2002, he was shortlisted for the famous Kate Greenaway Medal. Nick is also a fellow of Hereford College of Art. He has even received a gold Blue Peter badge, which is a very special award! Nick's artwork has been shown in exhibitions in Britain, Italy, Japan, and the United States.