Jane Ray (born 11 June 1960) is an English

illustrator An illustrator is an artist who specializes in enhancing writing or elucidating concepts by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text or idea. The illustration may be intended to clarify complicat ...

of more than 70

children's books A child (plural, : children) is a human being between the stages of childbirth, birth and puberty, or between the Development of the human body, developmental period of infancy and puberty. The legal definition of ''child'' generally refers ...

. The first book Jane illustrated ''A Balloon for Grandad'' written by

Nigel Gray Nigel Gray (1947 – 30 July 2016) was an English record producer. His album credits include ''Outlandos d'Amour'' (1978), ''Reggatta de Blanc'' (1979), and ''Zenyatta Mondatta'' (1980) for the Police, ''Kaleidoscope'' (1980) and '' Juju'' (1981) ...

, is included in

1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up ''1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up'' is a literary reference book compiled by Julia Eccleshare, children's book editor at Britain's Guardian newspaper. It was published in 2009 by Universe/Rizzoli International''. Conten ...

. She is the writer and illustrator of some including ''Can You Catch a Mermaid?'' (Orchard Books), ''Ahmed and the Feather Girl'' (Frances Lincoln), and ''The Elephants Garden'' (Boxer Books). She won the 1992

Nestlé Children's Book Prize Nestlé S.A. (; ; ) is a Switzerland, Swiss multinational food and drink processing conglomerate corporation headquartered in Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland. It is the largest publicly held food company in the world, measured by revenue and other me ...

in the 6- to 8-year-old readers category for the ''Story of the Creation'', published by

Orchard Books Grolier was one of the largest American publishers of general encyclopedias, including ''The Book of Knowledge'' (1910), ''The New Book of Knowledge'' (1966), ''The New Book of Popular Science'' (1972), ''Encyclopedia Americana'' (1945), ''Acade ...

(), and has been shortlisted for the

Kate Greenaway Medal The Kate Greenaway Medal is a British literary award that annually recognises "distinguished illustration in a book for children". It is conferred upon the illustrator by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) ...

several times. She was also a nominee for the

Biennial of Illustration Bratislava The Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB) is one of the oldest international honours for children's book illustrators. First granted in 1967 to Yasuo Segawa (Japan), it is one of the more prestigious children's book awards today, along with t ...

2017.

Early life

Jane Ray was born in Chingford, London and is the daughter of Donald Edwin and Barbara May, both teachers and musicians. Her interest in literature started at a young age with ''Alice in Wonderland'' being the first book she ever read. Ray started making books at age five during a summer holiday, her first book which she still owns is called ''Mr Teddy and Mrs Teddy go for a picnic''. She produced a total of thirty books at this time. One of Ray's most prominent influences is

Beatrix Potter Helen Beatrix Potter (, 28 July 186622 December 1943) was an English writer, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist. She is best known for her children's books featuring animals, such as ''The Tale of Peter Rabbit'', which was he ...

, of whom she says:

"I was fascinated by detail of her work. She was a scientist as well as an artist and I found that mixture of extremely detailed observation of the natural world and the pure fantasy of ‘dormice in bonnets’ captivating. I used to ‘go into’ those illustrations – imagined I was walking along that lane in Tom Kitten, or sitting amongst the foxgloves in Jemima Puddleduck or walking up the stairs of the doll’s house in
The Tale of Two Bad Mice ''The Tale of Two Bad Mice'' is a children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter, and published by Frederick Warne & Co. in September 1904. Potter took inspiration for the tale from two mice caught in a cage-trap in her cousin's home a ...
".

Other early influences of Ray's include

Lucy Boston Lucy M. Boston (1892–1990), born Lucy Maria Wood, was an English novelist who wrote for children and adults, publishing her work entirely after the age of 60. She is best known for her "Green Knowe" series: six low fantasy children's novels pu ...

Brian Wildsmith Brian Lawrence Wildsmith (22 January 1930 – 31 August 2016) was a British painter and children's book illustrator. He won the 1962 Kate Greenaway Medal for British children's book illustration, for the wordless alphabet book ''ABC''. In all h ...

Arthur Rackham Arthur Rackham (19 September 1867 – 6 September 1939) was an English book illustrator. He is recognised as one of the leading figures during the Golden Age of British book illustration. His work is noted for its robust pen and ink drawings, ...

and Jan Pienkowski. Ray cites her art teacher at school as an influence on her decision to go to art school. She later completed a degree course at

Middlesex University Middlesex University London (legally Middlesex University and abbreviated MDX) is a public research university in Hendon, northwest London, England. The name of the university is taken from its location within the historic county boundaries ...

in Ceramics and 3 Dimensional Design. She initially wanted to teach deaf children.

Career

Before becoming an author and illustrator, Ray worked in a variety of jobs including a life model, special needs teacher, telephone cleaner and mural artist. Ray began her career by designing greetings cards and wrapping paper published by Roger La Borde. Her first full colour picture book, ''A Balloon for Grandad'' by

was published in 1989. She has illustrated books by

Carol Ann Duffy Dame Carol Ann Duffy (born 23 December 1955) is a Scottish poet and playwright. She is a professor of contemporary poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University, and was appointed Poet Laureate in May 2009, resigning in 2019. She was the first ...

(''The Lost Happy Endings'', pub. Bloomsbury),

Jeanette Winterson Jeanette Winterson (born 27 August 1959) is an English writer. Her first book, '' Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit'', was a semi-autobiographical novel about a sensitive teenage girl rebelling against convention. Other novels explore gender pola ...

(''The King of Capri'', Bloomsbury),

Michael Rosen Michael Wayne Rosen (born 7 May 1946) is a British children's author, poet, presenter, political columnist, broadcaster and activist who has written 140 books. He served as Children's Laureate from 2007 to 2009. Early life Michael Wayne Ros ...

(''Romeo and Juliet'', Walker Books) and

Kevin Crossley-Holland Kevin John William Crossley-Holland (born 7 February 1941) is an English translator, children's author and poet. His best known work is probably the Arthur trilogy (2000–2003), for which he won the Guardian Prize and other recognition. Cros ...

(''Heartsong'', Orchard Books). Ray takes a hands-on approach to her work, preferring not to use digital technology. She often uses watercolours with pencils, as well as collage and metallic inks to make distinctive decorative patterns. Ray takes a cross-cultural approach to her work, often looking for inspiration in the

British Museum The British Museum is a public museum dedicated to human history, art and culture located in the Bloomsbury area of London. Its permanent collection of eight million works is among the largest and most comprehensive in existence. It docum ...

. She emphasises the importance of identity in her work and how children can relate to the story's characters at a personal level. Multi-culturalism is an important aspect of Ray's work, with her stating:

"The children I meet are ethnically diverse, and I would frankly, be embarrassed if my "audience" wasn't represented in the books I am making for them. So, from the beginning of my career I have included characters of different ethnicities, and I have particularly enjoyed bringing those differences to the traditional "flaxen haired" European traditions of
Grimm Grimm may refer to: People * Grimm (surname) * Brothers Grimm, German linguists ** Jacob Grimm (1785–1863), German philologist, jurist and mythologist ** Wilhelm Grimm (1786–1859), German author, the younger of the Brothers Grimm * Christian ...
, Perrault and
Andersen Andersen () is a Danish-Norwegian patronymic surname meaning "son of Anders" (itself derived from the Greek name " Ανδρέας/Andreas", cf. English Andrew). It is the fifth most common surname in Denmark, shared by about 3.2% of the population.< ...
."

In 2016 Ray contributed towards the Nightingale Project which 'brightens up hospitals through the arts'. She produced works for Shannon Ward women's psychiatric intensive care unit at St. Charles Hospital in West London. The project was later extended to

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in England. It provides healthcare in London, Milton Keynes, Surrey and elsewhere. It was created in 2002 by a merger between Brent, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminst ...

. Ray's work was also displayed at the South Kensington and Chelsea Mental Health Centre. It was opened by Lord Fowler, the Lord Speaker of the House of Lords on the 1st of December 2016. In her work for this project Ray primarily depicted natural imagery such as trees as a way to connect outside life with the wards. Although common in her work, she specifically included birds as they represent freedom. When talking about the project, Ray claims it was 'liberating working on a much larger scale' and says it allowed for her artistic development. Ray works in a studio located in her garden in London and uses postcards and cuttings to inspire her work. She was nominated by IBBY UK as the British Nominee for the 2018

Hans Christian Andersen Award The Hans Christian Andersen Awards are two literary awards given by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), recognising one living author and one living illustrator for their "lasting contribution to children's literature". Th ...

Personal life

Ray lives and works in London. She is married to conductor David Anthony Temple and has 3 children.

Bibliography

As illustrator:

*''A Balloon for Grandad'' – by Nigel Gray, Orchard * ''Casting a Spell and Other Poems'' – anthology by Angela Huth, Orchard * ''Island of the Children'' – anthology by Angela Huth, Orchard * ''The Orchard Book of Creation Stories'' – Margaret Mayo, Orchard * ''The Orchard Book of Mythical Birds and Beasts'' – Margaret Mayo, Orchard * ''The Orchard Book of Magical Tales'' – Margaret Mayo, Orchard * ''The Orchard Book of Love and Friendship'' – Geraldine Mccaughrean, Orchard * ''Heartsong'' – Kevin Crossley Holland, Orchard * ''The Unicorn Prince'' – Saviour Pirotta, Orchard * ''Song of the Earth'' – Mary Hoffman, Orion * ''Sun, Moon and Stars'' – Mary Hoffman, Orion Arion and the Dolphin – Vikram Seth, Orion * ''Mother Gave a Shout'' – edited by Morag Styles and Suzanna Steele, * ''Fairy Tales'' – retold by Berlie Doherty, Walker Books * ''The Bold Boy'' – Malachy Doyle, Walker Books * ''Lugalbanda'' – Kathy Henderson, Walker Books * ''Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet'' – Michael Rosen, Walker Books * ''Hummingbirds'' – Nicola Davies, Walker Books * ''The King of Capri'' – Janette Winterson, Bloomsbury * ''The Lost Happy Endings'' – Carol Ann Duffy, Bloomsbury * ''Jinnie Ghost'' – Berlie Doherty, Frances Lincoln * ''Greek Myths'' – Sally Pomme Clayton, Frances Lincoln * ''Zeraffa Giraffa'' – Dianne Hofmeyr, Frances Lincoln * ''The Glass Makers Daughter'' – Dianne Hofmeyr, Frances Lincoln * ''The Moonbird'' – Joyce Dunbar, Doubleday * ''Stories for a Fragile Planet'' – Keneth Steven, Lion Hudson * ''Classic Christmas Stories'' – Mary Joslin, Lion Children's Books * ''The Stolen Childhood and Other Dark Fairy Tales'' – Carol Ann Duffy, Penguin * ''From a Distance'' – Julie Gold, Dutton * ''Myths and Legends of the Near East'' – Rachel Storm, The Folio Society * ''Celtic Myths and Legends'' – Caitlin and John Matthews, The Folio Society * ''The Arabian Nights'' – Powys/Mathews, Folio Society * ''Corey's Rock'' – Sita Brahmachari, Otter-Barry Books * ''Worry Angels'' – Sita Brahmachari, Barrington Stoke * ''The Dolls House'' – Rumer Godden, Macmillan * ''The Fairy Doll'' – Rumer Godden, Macmillan * ''Give the Ball to the Poet'' – poetry anthology edited by Georgie Horrell, Aisha Spencer and Morag Styles, Commonwealth Education Trust Books * ''The Pied Piper'' – Collins Big Cat

As author and illustrator

* ''Can You Catch a Mermaid?'' – Orchard * ''The Apple Pip Princess'' – Orchard * ''The Dolls House Fairy'' – Orchard * ''Ahmed and the Feather Girl'' – Frances Lincoln * ''The Elephant's Garden'' – Boxer Books

As adaptor and illustrator

* ''Noah's Ark'' – Orchard * ''The Story of the Creation'' – Orchard * ''The Story of Christmas'' – Orchard * ''The Happy Prince'' – Orchard * ''Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden'' – Eden Project * ''The Twelve Dancing Princesses'' – Orchard * ''Hansel and Gretel'' – Walker Books * ''Snow White'' – (pop-up) – Walker Books * ''Cinderella'' – (pop-up) – Walker Books * ''The Twelve Days of Christmas'' – Orchard Books * ''The Nutcracker'' – Orchard Books * ''The Emperors Nightingale and other Feathery Tales'' – Boxer Books * ''The Little Mermaid and other Fishy Tales'' – Boxer Books * ''The Lion and the Unicorn and other Hairy Tales'' – Boxer Books

As contributor

* ''Lines in the Sand'' – Mary Hoffman and Rhiannon Lassiter, Frances Lincoln * ''Frances Lincoln A Collection of Just So Stories'' – Rudyard Kipling, Walker Books * ''Play the Shape Game'' – Anthony Browne, Walker Books * ''Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen'' – Folio Society * ''Dare to be Different'' – Amnesty International * ''We Are All Born Free'' – Amnesty International * ''Over the Hills and far Away'' – Frances Lincoln * ''The Orchard Book of Stories from the Opera'' – Orchard * ''Just So Stories'' – Walker Books * ''Under the Sun and Over the Sea'' – John Agard and Grace Nichols, Walker Books

Prizes and awards

* 1989 shortlisted for the

Mother Goose Award The Mother Goose Award was an award annually presented to "the most exciting newcomer to British children's book illustration." It was inaugurated in 1979 and last awarded in 1999. Sponsored by Books for Children booksellers, award winners receive ...

for ''A Balloon For Grandad.'' * 1991 shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award for ''Noah's Ark''. * 1992 shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award for ''The Story of Christmas''. * 1992 winner of the Smarties Award (6–8 years) for ''The Story of Creation.'' * 1992 winner of

in the 6- to 8-year-old readers category for the ''Story of the Creation'', published by

(). * 1995 shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award for ''The Happy Prince''. * 1995 shortlisted for the

Kurt Maschler Award The Kurt Maschler Award (1982 to 1999) was a British literary award that annually recognised one "work of imagination for children, in which text and illustration are integrated so that each enhances and balances the other." Winning authors and ill ...

for ''The Song of the Earth.'' * 2001 shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award for ''Fairy Tales''. * 2005 shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award for ''Jinnie Ghost''. * 2008 shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award for ''The Lost Happy Endings''. * 2017 nominated for the

. * 2018 BBY UK Illustrator nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Awards.

References

External links

*
Profile
at publisher

Walker Books Walker Books is a British publisher of children's books, founded in 1978 by Sebastian Walker, Amelia Edwards, and Wendy Boase. In 1991, the success of Walker Books' ''Where's Wally?'' series enabled the company to expand into the American ma ...

* (mainly previous page of browse report, under 'Ray, Jane' without '1960–') {{DEFAULTSORT:Ray, Jane 1960 births English illustrators English children's writers British children's book illustrators Illustrators of fairy tales 20th-century British illustrators Alumni of Middlesex University People from Muswell Hill Living people