Karen George – illustratör

The first ever picture book addressing how a disabled child might want to be spoken to.What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off?Every time Joe goes out the questions are the same . . . what happened to his leg? But is this even a question Joe has to answer?A ground-breaking, funny story that helps children understand what it might feel like to be seen as different.'A revolutionary book on disability.' Inclusive Storytime'Catchpole's beautifully judged, child-friendly words ably evoke the fatigue and wariness of repeatedly being asked the same question rather than simply being accepted and allowed to play, while George's warm images amplify the delight of shared imagination.' The Guardian'Wonderful, delightful and important. [...] Not only will it help nondisabled adults and children understand what it is like to be singled out for being different, but it will empower disabled children and help them realise they don't have to justify themselves to people they don't know.' Jen Campbell, bestselling author of Franklin's Flying Bookshop'With beautifully characterful illustrations and plenty of calming white space, it exudes gentle energy and humour to appeal to every child. This is a stunningly clever book.' BookTrust'The beauty of What Happened to You? is its focus on empathy... a brilliant book to open up the conversation with pre-school kids.' Disability Arts Online'A groundbreaking picture book reflecting the world of a visibly disabled child... a funny and very enjoyable read that will nevertheless perform an urgently needed task and generate very useful discussion at home and school.' LoveReading4Kids

Winner of the Inclusive Books for Children Picture Book Award 2024, shortlisted for the UKLA Book Awards and the LITTLE REBELS Book Award.A funny, whip-smart, friendly picture book that asks readers to imagine how othering it would feel if strangers believed they had to compensate for a person's disability with every interaction.When people meet Joe, they often treat him as Amazing Joe or Poor Joe. But can't he just be . . . Joe?One-legged Joe is 'amazing'. He knows this because wherever he goes people always tell him he's amazing. Amazing for sliding down the slide, for kicking a ball . . . even walking to get an ice cream, or even just eating an ice cream. Of course, being Amazing Joe is better than being Poor Joe . . .'This book should be in every library.' School Librarian Journal'challenges the idea of disability as automatically "inspirational".' The Guardian'funny, warm and informative.' The Bookseller'A crucial contribution to literature for pre- and primary-schoolers.' Disability Arts Online

A joyful celebration of the wheelchair and how its user becomes a permanent lap to snuggle on! The Mama Car has big wheelsand a soft cushion. It can takeyou outside and anywhereand right back home again.The Mama Car has so many things, but the best thing is, it has Mummy.This way, Mama Car!The Mama Car can take children on adventures, big and small. Even just going to the kitchen for snacks becomes an expedition.And when a child falls and hurts herself, the Mama Car is always there, and so is Mummy.

Winner of the Inclusive Books for Children Picture Book Award 2024, shortlisted for the UKLA Book Awards and the LITTLE REBELS Book Award.A funny, whip-smart, friendly picture book that asks readers to imagine how othering it would feel if strangers believed they had to compensate for a person's disability with every interaction.When people meet Joe, they often treat him as Amazing Joe or Poor Joe. But can't he just be . . . Joe?One-legged Joe is 'amazing'. He knows this because wherever he goes people always tell him he's amazing. Amazing for sliding down the slide, for kicking a ball . . . even walking to get an ice cream, or even just eating an ice cream. Of course, being Amazing Joe is better than being Poor Joe . . .'This book should be in every library.' School Librarian Journal'challenges the idea of disability as automatically "inspirational".' The Guardian'funny, warm and informative.' The Bookseller'A crucial contribution to literature for pre- and primary-schoolers.' Disability Arts Online

Written by Julia Donaldson, the author of The Gruffalo, and illustrated by Karen George, Freddie and the Fairy is a delightfully witty, rhyming tale.Freddie wants nothing more than a pet, so when the fairy Bessie-Belle offers to grant his wishes, he knows just what to ask for. But Bessie-Belle can’t hear very well and Freddie tends to mumble, which means the wishes aren’t turning out as planned! Whatever can they do? Luckily the Fairy Queen is on hand to help.

Written by Julia Donaldson, the author of The Gruffalo, and illustrated by prize-winning Karen George, Wake Up Do, Lydia Lou! is a gentle and playful bedtime read - full of fun sounds to join in with time and time again.One night, a little ghost glides into Lydia Lou’s room to scare her. But no matter how hard he tries, he just can’t wake her up. He thinks perhaps some of his noisy animal friends could help but they have no luck either. Not even a noisy baby will do the trick! From ghosts booing to cats mewing, will anything wake up Lydia Lou?