Claire Alexander

Children's author, Author/Illustrator

Available for:
Talk
Workshop
Commission


Website: http://www.clairealexander.com

Contact: claireclairealexander.com
07949 027 236

Awards:
Lucy and the Bully: The 2009 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People
Small Florence: Shortlisted for 2010 Stockport Schools Book Award

Audiences:
Adults, 5-7 (Key stage 1), 8-11 (Key stage 2), 5-11 (Key stages 1 and 2), 11-13 (Key stage 3), 14-16 (Key stage 4), 11-16 (Key stages 3 and 4), 6th Form and college


Details

Claire Alexander, based in North London, writes and illustrates picture books for 2-7 year olds. She uses colourful acrylics to illustrate her own stories. Her first book Lucy and the Bully was published by Gullane Children's Books in 2008. It won the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People in 2009 and has received some outstanding reviews:

Bullying has become a real problem in today’s culture, and because of this, this book is of extreme importance to kids. Alexander’s story is simple and has wonderful illustrations. It will help young children talk openly and honestly about bullying. But most importantly, Alexander assures the reader that bullies can be stopped and something can be done about this growing problem. I was absolutely mesmerized by this book. It wonderfully illustrates the viciousness of bullying and how the victim feels. What an important book for our times! Thank goodness for authors who take important topics like this one and make it child-friendly!

Reviewed by Irene Roth for the National Writing for Children Center, June 27 2009

There are lots of books about bullies, but this one is especially thoughtful (and a pleasure to look at). It frames the problem around the relationship between a sweet lamb and a belligerent little bull. Lucy loves school, but she’d love it more if Tommy wasn’t in her class. When everyone oohs and aahs over Lucy’s drawing ability, Tommy spills paint on her pictures. Teacher, Mrs. Goosie, is oblivious, even as Tommy becomes more brutal toward Lucy’s artwork and stomps on her clay crow (which is really a blackbird). But instead of telling her mother, Lucy stuffs the bird in her backpack and says nothing. Every day things grow a little worse, until Lucy must confide in her mother . . . who calls the teacher . . . who calls Tommy’s mom. The next day a chagrined Tommy looks sad and alone; Lucy takes it upon herself to notice the excellent porcupine he’s drawing. It’s a hedgehog, but Tommy appreciates the attention. Some may object to parents actually solving the problem, but that’s the way it often works in real life. It’s Lucy’s willingness to go the extra mile that might inspire readers to do the same. Alexander’s child-friendly watercolors beautifully convey a range of emotions. An excellent note to parents and teachers discusses bullying and ways to combat it. A great discussion-starter for the playground set.

Reviewed by Ilene Cooper for Booklist

Her second book Small Florence was published in 2009. It's loosely based on the story of Cinderella about a small pig who comes into her own when she overcomes her shyness to compete in a singing competition. Small Florence has been shortlisted for the 2010 Stockport Schools Book Award.

This clever Cinderella retelling writes the prince out of the action and substitutes the heartfelt wish of many a young TV watcher: pop star celebrity. Florence's older sisters are sure they're the ones with talent, and they prepare for their appearance on television with all the affectation and scorn of the original stepsisters (“Those boots are so last year!” they shout as they pick out their stage costumes). But Florence practices in secret, and when the big day comes, the sisters freeze and Florence's performance wows the judges and clinches her pop career. (Subsequently, she makes a name for herself with “songs about love, life, and vegetarianism.”) Working mostly in midnight blues and spotlight yellows--and piggy pink, of course--Alexander's (Lucy and the Bully) spots, multiple panels, and three-quarter page spreads add flash to the pages. Florence's big voice is represented by enormous swirls of blue, and Alexander has a good time imagining the things animals on a pop star show might sing about (“Bright ears burning like fire...” croons a bunny into a microphone). Many laughs will find Florence lots of fans.

Review by Publishers Weekly March 2009

 

Visiting Schools

Claire loves to share her books with children as well as involving them in the creation of new characters and stories.

 

For KS 1 Claire will read her stories and afterwards invite children to pick out character names from hat and involve them in creating a new story while drawing characters on an easel.

 

For KS 2 and above. Claire will talk about how she creates her books and will then help children collage their own character in colour. She can show how a book dummy is made and help children create their own story within a book dummy in pencil.

Fees

1 hour: Story telling and interactive illustration £100

 

1 ½ hours: Creating characters in collage £175

 

2 ½ hours: Creating a character and book dummy £250

Travel cost will be charged extra.

 

You will need to provide a flip chart or easel, coloured paper for collage, pencils, rubbers, long arm stapler, and 10 sheets of A4 white paper per child for creating book dummies.

 

 

University / College Visits

For adult students Claire runs picture book writing and illustration workshops. For more information, please contact her directly on 07949 027 236.

 

 

Claire runs courses and workshops for adults in the North London area. For more information please visit her website.

 

 

	Lucy and the Bully (isbn:1862337136) Lucy loves everything about nursery - except for Tommy, who is a big bully. He stamps on Lucy's sculpture and breaks her pencils. He warns her not to tell - or else! But with a bit of help from Lucy's mum, Tommy is ready to turn over a new leaf. View in Amazon
	Small Florence (isbn:1862337586) Small Florence's dream of becoming a pop star is ruined by her sisters when they enter a singing competition without her. But when they fail to sing, Florence's winning voice sings out from the crowd! View in Amazon
	Lost in the Snow Fox cubs Benny and Fern wander far from their den. How will they find their way home to Mummy? An enchanting winter story about overcoming your fears and finding your inner strength