Anna Walker is an illustrator and author of picture books based in Naarm/Melbourne. Using traditional mediums, anna creates stories inspired by the quiet and sometimes joyful details of life. Her books include Florette - New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Book, Mr Huff shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and winner of the CBCA book of the year Early Childhood. Her most recent illustrated book is A Life Song written by Jane Godwin - shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards.
Contact
For books I am represented by the lovely Stephen Barr : The Writers House
If you would like to say hello or enquire about a special project or commission : Email me
For enquiries regarding speaking engagements please contact : Booked Out
Awards
2024 A Life Song, written by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Anna Walker, Shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards Children’s Picture Book of the Year (ages 0-6)
2024 A Life Song, written by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Anna Walker, Shortlisted for the Book People Book of the Year Children’s Prize
2023 Snap! by Anna Walker | Winner of the Speech Pathology Bookd of the Year Award, 0 - 3 category
2023 Snap! by Anna Walker | Shortlisted the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year: Early Childhood Award
2023 Snap! (Saute-grenouille) by Anna Walker won the Prix Lu et Partagé – Petite enfance (Read and Shared Award, category Toddlers), organised by the Fondation Battieuw-Schmidt (Belgium)
2023 Snap! by Anna Walker | The French edition of SNAP has been selected for the "Touts petits lisent aussi" prize, organized in the town of Cholet (decision made by the media library and a number of bookshops to promote reading for children aged 0-3)
2023 Snap! by Anna Walker selected as a 'White Raven'—a prestigious annual selection of 200 books for children from around the world by the International Youth Library based in Germany.
2023 Snap! by Anna Walker selected for the Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition, featured in the annual publication and in the exhibition in New York
2022 Don’t Forget, written by Jane Godwin, Illustrated by Anna Walker, Received a Notable for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
2021 Hello Jimmy!, by Anna Walker, received a Notable for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
2021 Hello Jimmy!, by Anna Walker, Commended for Best Designed Children's Illustrated Book by the Australian Book Design Association (designed by Klarissa Pfisterer)
2020 Tilly, written by Jane Godwin, Illustrated by Anna Walker, Shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
2020 Lottie and Walter, by Anna Walker, Received a Notable for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
2020 Lottie and Walter, by Anna Walker, Shortlisted for Best Designed Children's Illustrated Book by the Australian Book Design Association (designed by Bruno Herfst and Anna Walker)
2019 Go Go and the Silver Shoes, written by Jane Godwin, Illustrated by Anna Walker, received a Notable in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
2018 Florette included in the Boston Globe Best Children’s Book list
2018 Won The Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature: Florette
2018 Shortlisted for Australian Book Industry Picture Book of the Year Awards: Florette
2018 Shortlisted for CBCA Book of the year – Florette by Anna Walker
2018 Shortlisted in the Australian Book Design Association Best Designed Children’s Illustrated Book: Florette
2016 Winner of the Book of the year: Early Childhood, CBCA – Mr Huff by Anna Walker
2016 Prime Ministers Literary Awards Shortlist: Mr Huff by Anna Walker
2016 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable: Mr Huff by Anna Walker, What Do You Wish For by Jane Godwin and illustrated by Anna Walker, Hurry Up Alfie by Anna Walker
2016 Book Design Awards of Australia: Mr Huff shortlisted
2016 Yabba Shortlist : Mr Huff
2013 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Short List: Peggy by Anna Walker.
2013 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable: Peggy by Anna Walker
2013 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards Children’s fiction shortlist: : Peggy by Anna Walker
2013 Book Industry Award Short listed book of the Year for Younger Children (age range 0 – 8 years): Peggy by Anna Walker
2013 Australian Society of Authors / Children’s Picture Book Illustrators’ Initiative – Mr Huff
2011 CBCA Awards 2011 Early Childhood Notable: I Don’t Believe in Dragons
2010 58th Book Design Awards of Australia Lets Play House
2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love to Dance
2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love to Sing
2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love Holidays
2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love Birthdays
2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable Little Cat and the Big Red Bus
2009 57th Book Design Awards of Australia I Love to Dance won best Children’s Series Design.
Anna was born in Sydney, Australia and grew up in Melbourne. She completed Certificate of Art and Design, at Boxhill Tafe. And a Bachelor of Design, Degree with Honours at Swinburne University.
After studying, Anna worked as designer/illustrator at The Age for a year before beginning to freelance full time in design and illustration for a range of publishers and clients. When she was a child, Anna wanted to illustrate picture books. It took a long time to realise that dream, but now, to her delight, that is what she does!
FAQs
What do you think children’s publishers want to see the most?
I think publishers want to see characters making connections. . .whether it be in an environment or with another character or with something that means a lot to them.
They want to be able to see that you can take a character and express personality/emotion, while keeping continuity in the character.
Having a couple of samples of your final style is great, a dummy book is also great, and a few sketches can support the other work beautifully too.
How do I find an illustrator for the book I have written?
Unless you are going to self publish your book, there is no need to find an illustrator before the text is submitted to the publisher. The publisher will want to be part of the decision of who works on the story.
How long does it take you to illustrate a book?
I create roughly one picture book (sometimes two) per year.
The timeline could be broken down into 3 months for roughs/layout, 3 months painting, 2-3 months scanning, photoshop/design
Where can I find helpful things about publishing?
Society of Children’s Book Illustrators