Nicola Kent
The Strongest Mum

Commissioned | New Talent

Why did you make this work:
• To celebrate the strength of mothers everywhere and highlight their vulnerabilities in a way rarely touched on in picture books, through the story of a quintessential Mother Bear. • To create imagery imbued with the charm of Little Bear’s viewpoint and a handmade feel to give emotional directness. • To combine warm humour with emotional punch, for the enjoyment of both children and adults.

How was the illustration used:
Children's picture book

How did you make this work:
The eclectic aesthetic of cityscapes and the clutter of home are shown in heightened colour and digital collage of handmade elements: dip pen, watercolour, stamps and finger prints. Printed leaves and flowers enhance the celebration of children’s instinctive passion for nature. The choice of bears, and the motif of domestic objects, deliberately place the book in a rich tradition,but with a twist.

Commissioner Name :
Veronique Watt - Editor
Commissioner Company :
Macmillan Children's Books

Social Media:
twitter.com/nicolakkent
facebook.com/nicola.kent.5688476
instagram.com/nicolakent

Personal Website:
nicolakent.co.uk


Biography:
Nicola Kent graduated from the prestigious Cambridge School of Art MA with distinction and was Highly Commended in the Macmillan Prize for Illustration in 2016. The Strongest Mum (an “outstanding debut” – Observer) has been published in eight countries and was followed by Vera Jewel is Late for School and Terry and the Brilliant Book. Nicola lives in London with her partner, two children and cat.

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