Helen Stephens is the author and illustrator of many picture books, best known for her How to Hide a Lion series. Her latest book, 'Saving Mr Hoot’ is due to be published in autumn 2021.

​Helen’s books can be read in over 25 languages and have been selected as ‘Book of the Year’ in The Guardian and The Times. Her work has featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and Uppercase Magazine. How to Hide a Lion was adapted for stage by the Polka Theatre, and toured the UK.

​Helen loves drawing from life, especially in the rain, and started the Instagram hashtag #walktosee for drawings done from life in a sketchbook. It has had nearly 44k contributions so far.

She has taught picture book illustration up to MA level and is the co-founder of The Good Ship Illustration who offer no nonsense advice for illustrators navigating a creative career.

​Helen lives on the windy Northumberland coast with her family and scruffy mutt, Peggy. She wears a dressing gown over her clothes to work (she gets cold at her desk!) and her most prized possession is her Blue Peter badge.

Helen will be sharing all the behind the scenes stuff: how she got published, where her ideas come from, how she stays excited and inspired, what has gone wrong along the way, some stuff about her process, why she likes drawing with sticks and toilet roll, why she hates multi book deals (except sometimes) and all the ins and outs of making picture books.

​Take this opportunity to hear Helen talk about her work and career in detail, discussing her experiences in picture book illustration. And after the talk Helen will lead an activity and also take part in a Q&A.

The event will be held online via ZOOM - the link will be sent via email on the day of the event.

All tickets are £12 INCLUSIVE of booking fee - and are non-refundable.

The event will be LIVE - and will not be recorded for viewing afterwards.