Nick Sharratt

Nick Sharratt is a British illustrator and author who has created artwork for over 250 children's books since the 1980s. He is particularly recognized for his long-running collaboration with author Jacqueline Wilson, having illustrated more than 50 of her books including the Tracy Beaker series. Sharratt's distinctive illustration style features bold colors, strong black outlines, and engaging character designs that appeal to young readers. His own authored works include "Shark in the Park," "Don't Put Your Finger in the Jelly, Nelly," and numerous lift-the-flap books that combine humor with interactive elements. The illustrator has received multiple awards for his contributions to children's literature, including the Red House Children's Book Award and the Sheffield Children's Book Award. His work spans picture books, educational materials, and greetings cards, with his illustrations appearing in publications worldwide. Beyond book illustration, Sharratt regularly visits schools and libraries to conduct workshops and presentations about his creative process. He studied graphic design at St Martin's School of Art in London and began his career as a magazine illustrator before focusing on children's books.

Parents and educators praise Sharratt's illustrations for capturing children's attention through bright colors and clear, bold lines. Many readers note how his artwork makes books accessible to reluctant readers. Liked: - Interactive elements that engage young readers - Consistent art style that children recognize - Humor that appeals to both children and adults - Ability to complement text without overwhelming it - Clean, uncluttered layouts Disliked: - Some find the art style too simplified or basic - Limited color palette in certain books - Text occasionally overshadowed by illustrations Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.7/5 average across books Goodreads: 4.2/5 average Multiple teacher reviews highlight how students request Sharratt's books repeatedly: "My class asks for Shark in the Park every storytime." Parents frequently mention the durability of his lift-the-flap books compared to others: "Still intact after years of use by multiple children." Most criticism focuses on books where he is both author and illustrator, with some noting the stories can be "too basic" compared to when he illustrates for other authors.

Ketchup on Your Cornflakes? - An interactive flip-book allowing readers to create unusual food combinations by mixing and matching pages.

Shark in the Park - A rhyming story about a boy who thinks he sees a shark through his telescope in various places around the park.

Don't Put Your Finger in the Jelly, Nelly! - A cautionary tale with holes in the pages revealing surprises when readers poke their fingers through.

My Mum and Dad Make Me Laugh - A story contrasting the different preferences of a child's parents, one who loves spots and one who loves stripes.

Caveman Dave - A prehistoric tale about a caveman seeking the perfect pet among various dinosaurs.

What's in the Witch's Kitchen? - A lift-the-flap book showing pleasant or unpleasant surprises in a witch's kitchen depending on which way flaps are opened.

Elephant Wellyphant - A collection of elephant-themed word plays with interactive elements and transforming pictures.

Octopus Socktopus - A collection of sea creatures with playful names and transforming illustrations.

Just Imagine - A book exploring various scenarios of what life would be like as different characters or in different situations.

Vikings in the Supermarket - A collection of humorous poems about unlikely characters appearing in everyday settings.

David Melling creates picture books with clear illustration styles and recurring characters like Hugless Douglas. His work combines humor with simple storylines in a format similar to Sharratt's approach.

Tony Ross illustrates children's books with sketch-style artwork and collaborates with multiple authors. He focuses on relatable childhood experiences and produces series work like Little Princess.

Lauren Child uses mixed media illustrations and typography as core elements in her storytelling. Her characters Charlie and Lola appear in books with visual layouts that share elements with Sharratt's style.

Korky Paul draws detailed scenes with hidden elements for readers to discover throughout the pages. His illustration work on the Winnie the Witch series demonstrates similar energy to Sharratt's drawings.

Sue Heap creates picture books with bold outlines and flat color patterns. Her work appears in both solo projects and collaborations, often featuring everyday situations with visual humor.