Gallery Talk: An Author's Perspective on Representation in Picture Books

Join us for gallery talk with children’s book author Trish Cooke to delve into the world of representation in children’s literature. Plus, hear her read an excerpt from So Much, the award-winning book illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.

Trish has written over 20 children’s books, including So Much, which features in our exhibition of original illustrations by Helen Oxenbury. In this talk, she will delve into her experiences as an author – from her first book Mammy Sugar Falling Down (Century Hutchinson, 1989), to her latest book, The Magic Callaloo (Walker Books, 2024).

Touching on representation in children’s books, Trish will talk about her journey with So Much (Walker Books, 1994), whilst discussing her experience of working with Helen Oxenbury.

This event will be longer than our usual Gallery Talks, and will include time for a Trish to read an excerpt from So Much, and answer all of your burning questions.

Trish Cooke

Trish Cooke is a playwright, writer for TV, film and radio and a children’s author. She has written several stage plays including the Olivier-nominated Cinderella and the Great British Pantomime Award winner Rapunzel along with several dramas for BBC Radio 4 and scripts for TV dramas and Children’s TV.

Trish has written over 20 children’s books, including: The Magic Callaloo (Walker Books), Tales from the Caribbean (Penguin), Full, Full, Full of Love (Walker Books) and So Much (Walker Books). So Much is the winner of the Smarties Book Prize, the Kurt Maschler Award and the WH Smith & She Magazine Award; it was also voted one of the 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time by BBC Culture and Time Out.

Registration

Meet for this talk in the Harley Gallery.