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Benji Davies

Benji Davies loved drawing from a young age; seeing his work in print is a childhood ambition fulfilled. After studying animation at university, Benji went on to direct animated commercials, music promos and short films, before embarking fully upon his picture book career.

Having successfully debuted to critical and bestselling acclaim as an author/illustrator with Simon & Schuster (The Storm Whale, Grandad’s Island and The Storm Whale in Winter), Benji is further exploring his work as an animation filmmaker, transforming his stories from screen to page. The Grotlyn is his first rhyming book and marks the beginning of a new publishing relationship with HarperCollins. This staple of picture book commissions continues, alongside film and broadcasting opportunities, born of his award-winning work.

His books have been co-editioned in over thirty-five languages and countries, gaining recognition across Europe and around the world.

Benji is also the illustrator of Nosy Crow’s internationally successful Bizzy Bear board book series, which recently topped three million sales worldwide.

He lives in London with his wife and daughter.

Awards

The Kate Greenaway Award 2019 – Nominated: Nominated for The Kate Greenaway Award 2019 for ‘The Grotlyn’, published by Harper Collins.

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Independent Bookshop Week Book Award 2018 - Shortlisted: Shortlisted for the picture book category of the Independent Bookshop Week Book Award, with ‘The Grotlyn’ published by Harper Collins.

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World Illustration Awards 2018 — Nominated: World Illustration Awards 2018 — Nominated with ‘The Grotlyn’ for the Children’s Books category. An award by The Association of Illustrators.
V&A World Illustration Awards 2018 — Shortlisted: Shortlisted for the V&A Illustration Awards 2018: Book Illustration Category, with ‘The Grotlyn’

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CPNB Dutch Picture Book Of The Year 2017: Holland – CPNB Dutch Picture Book Of The Year 2017, with ‘The Storm Whale’, published by Simon & Schuster.
The AOI Illustration Award 2015: Best Picture Book — WINNER: Winner of The AOI Illustration Award 2015: Best Picture Book, with ‘Grandad’s Island’
Sainsbury's Book Award: Children's Book of the Year 2015 — WINNER: Winner of The Sainsbury’s Book Award: Children’s Book of the Year 2015, with ‘Grandad’s Island’
Oscar's Book Prize 2014 — WINNER: Winner of Oscar’s First Book Prize 2014, with ‘The Storm Whale.’ Launched by the Evening Standard, the prize was created to seek out the most magical book for pre-school children.

Reviews

"Joyous illustrations integrate hand drawing and computer-generated colour... " — Sunday Times: “Benji Davies’s joyous illustrations integrate hand drawing and computer-generated colour, setting scenes…that will make readers into enthusiastic fellow travellers” — Sunday Times for ‘Grandad’s Island’
"A beautiful and comforting book" — The Guardian: ‘A beautiful and comforting book that shows how those who are dear to us remain near to us – however far away they may seem’ — The Guardian for ‘Grandad’s Island’
"Lovely, poignant picture book, told in lucid prose and limpid illustrations" — Financial Times: “Lovely, poignant picture book, told in lucid prose and limpid illustrations” and “An understated, profoundly charming little fable” — Financial Times for ‘On Sudden Hill’