Nicola Colton

Nicola Colton

Author/illustrator

www.nicolacolton.com
Booking enquiry
Nicola Colton - author tools

Available for

Workshop, Talk, Reading, Interview, Commission a book

Audiences

Age 3 to 5, Age 5 to 7, Age 7 to 11

Genres

Comedy, Fiction, Humour, Picture book

Book types

Fiction 4-11, Picture book

Details

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Hello! I'm an Irish children's book illustrator and author and I live in Bristol with my husband and our black and white cat, Odysseus.(Ody for short)

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When I was younger I wanted to be a palaeontologist and travel the world drawing dinosaurs and making up names for my discoveries. But I'm very happy to be writing and illustrating books such as my Jasper and Scruff book series and getting to illustrate books like the Fizzy series by Irish children's laureate, Sarah Crossan. Maybe one day, I'll write a book about a dinosaur and all my dreams will come true.

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I absolutely love facilitating workshops with young readers and cater for ages 4-12. It would be brilliant to be booked for a visit to your school, library or festival. My sessions involve storytelling, draw-a-longs, story-building and character creation.

I encourage students to make mistakes and have fun, there is no right or wrong way to draw. The beauty of illustration is that everyone has a different style/way of drawing.

I also like to leave a good chunk of time at the end of a session for a Show and Tell so that children can share their stories and drawings. These workshops are really about the participants and it's so important that they have the time to show what they have created, share a joke, tell me about their hamster or just say something out loud. I really want them to have that moment and to have fun.

I always like to leave my participants with something that they can take back to class/home with them. A little extra something to spark their imagination, usually it's an activity sheet with a story starter, draw-a-long or a craft they can try at home/with their teacher.                                                                                                                   

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Workshops/Events

Sessions are typically 35-60 min long and can be anything from a small class group session to a larger assembly.

 

Here are a few examples of a typical session/event:

  • StoryTime with props, followed by a draw-a-long and/or craft activity and Show & Tell at the end (suitable for Reception & KS1) (ages 4-7)

  • StoryTime with props & draw a long and  character creation workshop with a Show & Tell at the end (suitable for KS1) (ages 5-7)

  • Story discussion with props. Character design and story building session. Show & Tell at the end (suitable for KS2) (ages 7-11)

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I am very flexible and the options above can always be adapted to suit your event needs. Let me know what your ideal author visit would look like! 

I am based in Bristol but willing to travel.

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Online Events

I am also very happy to facilitate an online event and I have done quite a few Zoom events with schools and festivals which were lots of fun!

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Fees:

School visits:

• One Hour Session: £150*

• Half-Day Event:      £250*

• Full Day Event:       £350*

* Fees may change according to what is required for the event, please get in touch to get a full quote.

* Please note that travel and accommodation costs are charged on top of the event fee. I am based in Bristol.

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Virtual story-time

• 35 minute Zoom session: £75*

Story Time, Draw-a-long, Q&A & (If my cat Odysseus is awake, you'll get to meet him! )

*This is a fixed example but if you would like a more bespoke session and quote, please get in touch!

 

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Praise for Jasper & Scruff:

“…newly independent readers will lap up the cat-and-dog tale of Jasper and Scruff… Adorable illustrations, snappy dialogue and outrageous puns make it the cat’s pyjamas for bedtime reading, too.” Imogen Russell Williams, The Guardian

 

“Irish writer/illustrator Nicola Colton has produced a wonderfully warm and funny book about two unlikely friends… I can’t wait to read more Jasper and Scruff tales in the future” Sarah Webb, Irish Independent

 

 


 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Books by Nicola Colton

Jasper and Scruff is a fiction series I have written and illustrated for 5-8 year olds with Little Tiger Press. It is a book series about an unlikely friendship between a serious, fancy cat called Jasper and muddy pawed, fun-loving puppy, Scruff and the adventures they have together. The book is full of humour but also explores the themes of friendship and not judging others based on appearances. It was featured and reviewed as one of The Guardian Books of the Month. “…newly independent readers will lap up the cat-and-dog tale of Jasper and Scruff… Adorable illustrations, snappy dialogue and outrageous puns make it the cat’s pyjamas for bedtime reading, too.” Imogen Russell Williams I have worked with award-winning writer and Irish children's laureate, Sarah Crossan on her illustrated fiction series, Fizzy and Bandit and poet James Carter on his picture-book Zim Zam Zoom.
‎ 978-1788950695
Jasper & Scruff

Jasper & Scruff

Jasper has everything he could want – a fancy apartment, bow ties in every colour and a large book collection. The only thing he’s missing is the right type of friends! Jasper wants to become a member of ‘The Sophisticats’, a society for exceptional felines, more than anything. When they accept Jasper’s dinner invitation, he knows his chance to impress has arrived. But a boisterous puppy called Scruff follows Jasper home and his evening doesn’t quite go to plan… 
978-1788950534
Jasper & Scruff, The Hunt for the Golden Bone

Jasper & Scruff, The Hunt for the Golden Bone

As Jasper and Scruff prepare for a day in their new bookshop, a mysterious package is delivered, containing a rare book written by the great seafaring cat herself, Black Whiskers. Inside, they discover a treasure map, and together the friends set out on a quest to find the legendary golden bone. But little do they realize that their old enemies, the Sophisticats, might have a paw in things…  
9781788952545
Jasper & Scruff, Take a Bow

Jasper & Scruff, Take a Bow

When Jasper and Scruff hear about the Reach Fur the Stars talent show they know it’s their big chance to shine. But while Scruff hopes his magic act will dazzle the judges, Jasper wants the limelight all to himself. And they’re not the only ones who want to get their paws on the Grand Prize – the Sophisticats have a sneaky plan to steal the show. Will Jasper and Scruff team up in time to stop the cunning cats? 
9781788952552
Jasper & Scruff, The Great Cat Cake-Off

Jasper & Scruff, The Great Cat Cake-Off

Jasper and Scruff’s latest venture, Paws Diner, is a big success. Customers come from far and wide to sample their Salted Caramel Cake and the place is always packed. Until, that is, The Sophisticafé opens across the street. Determined not to be outdone by their old enemies, The Sophisticats, Jasper sets to work on a fancy new menu. But while Jasper hopes to gain a coveted three paw rating from the great restaurant critic Gaspard le Skunk, Scruff worries that his friend is forgetting about their loyal regulars. Worse still, The Sophisticats have heard that Gaspard is paying the diner a visit and have cooked up a fiendish plan… 
9781472970893
Fizzy and Bandit

Fizzy and Bandit

Fizzy and Bandit, written by Sarah Crossan and illustrated by Nicola Colton. A fun, heartwarming and humorous story, ideal for children practising their reading at home or in school. Fizzy wants a dog. Not just any dog though - a golden dog with a black nose and very curly hair. So when a dog called Bandit who looks just like this appears in her neighbour's garden, Fizzy will stop at nothing to keep him - even if it means hiding poor Bandit in the laundry basket... This delightful comedy from Ireland's Children's Laureate Sarah Crossan is perfect for children who are learning to read by themselves and for Key Stage 1. It features illustrations from Nicola Colton and a feisty heroine children will love. 
9781472970985
Fizzy and the Party

Fizzy and the Party

It's time for Fizzy to go to bed, but next door, Mrs Crumbleboom and her band are having a party. Fizzy is desperate to join in the fun. Will Mum let her stay up just a little bit longer? This family comedy from Ireland's Children's Laureate Sarah Crossan, starring the characters from Fizzy and Bandit, is perfect for Key Stage 1 (KS1) children who are learning to read by themselves. It features illustrations from Nicola Colton, creator of the Jasper and Scruff books, and a feisty heroine children will love.  
9780717190843
A Dublin Christmas

A Dublin Christmas

To Orla, Christmas means Gran, so when it looks like Gran won't make it this year, everything feels a lot less festive. And with Christmas spirit everywhere at an all-time low, the whole of Dublin is in darkness. But then the fairy lights on Orla's Christmas tree come to life and take her on an enchanting adventure to the National Library, Grafton Street, Stephen's Green and the GPO. Together, Orla and her new friends attempt to restore the meaning of Christmas and holiday cheer... 
9781910959541
Zim Zam Zoom

Zim Zam Zoom

Written by James Carter and illustrated by Nicola Colton. Want to travel in a rocket? Search for a grumpy dragon? Make your very own monster? Visit a higgledy-piggledy farm? Well, hop into Zim Zam Zoom - for fun and adventures galore! Colours, animals, space, music, fairytale fireworks...! Here is a collection of poems especially written for performance. With delightful illustrations by a talented new illustrator, this is a brilliant introduction to poetry for young children. 
9781847177742
A Dublin Fairytale

A Dublin Fairytale

Fiona’s on a journey to Granny’s house … … but who’s that following her through the streets of Dublin? Travel across the city with Fiona and her fantastic friends in this modern Dublin fairytale. 

Photos

Nicola Colton - first image
Nicola Colton - first image
Nicola Colton - first image
Nicola Colton - first image
Nicola Colton - first image
Nicola Colton - first image
Nicola Colton - first image

Keywords

AUTHOR CAT DOG DRAWALONG EARLY READER FRIENDSHIP HUMOUR ILLUSTRATED FICTION ILLUSTRATION ILLUSTRATOR INCLUSIVITY KS1 KS2 PICTURE BOOKS RECEPTION STORYTELLING WORLD BOOK DAY