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Bob Graham Bob Graham i(A14858 works by) (a.k.a. Robert Donald Graham)
Born: Established: 1942 Sydney, New South Wales, ;
Gender: Male
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BiographyHistory

Known as both a writer and illustrator, Bob Graham was born in 1942 in Sydney, New South Wales. He studied drawing and painting at the Julian Ashton Art School. Later he travelled to the United Kingdom where he worked at many varied jobs. In 1969, he returned to Sydney and began his career as an illustrator and designer.

He started illustrating children's books while taking some time off from work due to illness, and his first picture book Pete and Roland was published in 1981. His many projects include a six page, monthly comic strip for a French children's magazine called Belle Histoires, illustrations for various commercial enterprises, illustrating non-fiction works and his first love, writing and illustrating children's books.

Graham's illustrations reflect his surroundings and familiar daily events. His drawings exude gentleness, warmth, humanity and family life. A depth of perception, feeling and observation are evident in his work. Graham has written and illustrated many acclaimed, popular and award winning books.

Graham's book Silver Button won the Prime Minister's Literary Award for children's fiction in 2014. He donated $10,000 of the prize money to the Asylum Seeker's Resource Centre, an organisation defunded by the Federal Liberal Government shortly after gaining government in 2013.

Most Referenced Works

Notes

  • Australian musical director and composer George Ellis set some of Bob Graham's titles to music using original and adapted musical compositions. Some of these works were performed at the Children's Book Council of Australia (New South Wales Branch) Conference, Sydney, New South Wales, 19 June, 2010.
  • Bob Graham Teacher's notes available from Scholastic Australia website.

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Ellie's Dragon Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2020 18936566 2020 single work picture book children's

'When Ellie is very little, she finds a newborn dragon fresh from the egg on a supermarket shelf, and calls him Scratch. He is quite the sweetest thing she has ever seen! From that day on, Ellie and Scratch do everything together. Ellie's mum and her teacher can't see her fiery friend, but all her friends can - and, over the years, Ellie's dragon grows to be big, house-trained, and very affectionate. And Ellie is growing, too...

'A moving story about the wonders of imagination and the nature of growing up from one of Australia's most revered bookmakers.' (Publication summary) 

2021 shortlisted CBCA Book of the Year Awards Picture Book of the Year
2021 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Notable Book Picture Books
y separately published work icon Ellie's Dragon Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2020 18936566 2020 single work picture book children's

'When Ellie is very little, she finds a newborn dragon fresh from the egg on a supermarket shelf, and calls him Scratch. He is quite the sweetest thing she has ever seen! From that day on, Ellie and Scratch do everything together. Ellie's mum and her teacher can't see her fiery friend, but all her friends can - and, over the years, Ellie's dragon grows to be big, house-trained, and very affectionate. And Ellie is growing, too...

'A moving story about the wonders of imagination and the nature of growing up from one of Australia's most revered bookmakers.' (Publication summary) 

2021 shortlisted CBCA Book of the Year Awards Picture Book of the Year
2021 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Notable Book Picture Books
y separately published work icon The Underhills : A Tooth Fairy Story Melbourne : Walker Books Australia , 2019 16441487 2019 single work picture book children's

'In this magical companion to Bob Graham’s celebrated April Underhill, Tooth Fairy, two fairy sisters, April and Esme, are on a brand new adventure!

April and Esme are staying at Grandma and Grandad’s for a whole weekend! A visit to Grandma and Grandad's is always special for the two sisters. There’s the mixing of fairy cakes, pancakes with syrup for breakfast and a chocolate waiting on each of their pillows. And this weekend, when Mum calls with an urgent tooth fairy job, there's an exciting trip to the airport with Grandma to make sure one little girl has her tooth collected. Children are sure to love this thrilling and tender new story, so full of hope, possibility and the magic of a secret fairy world, from master storyteller Bob Graham.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

2021 shortlisted Russell Prize for Humour Writing Humour Writing for Young People Award
Last amended 4 Aug 2017 09:49:57
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