Instagram story viewer> @dgraybarnett> Posts

Children’s Book Illustrator & Author | Daniel Gray-Barnett

@dgraybarnett

3.8K

followers

3470

following

Children’s book illustrator + author
Chasing characters that feel alive, funny & real
16+ books • Penguin, Quarto + more
📬 Let’s make something ↓

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

So you’ve got an idea for a picture book and you’re wondering, now what? Part 1.

1. Have you written your story? If not, that’s your first task. 500-800 words roughly.
2. Do you know what you want to achieve with it? Traditional publishing? Self publishing? Be specific.

Follow for more advice in part 2.

#author #kidlit #childrensbookstagram #illustrator #childrensbookillustration taken in Cygnet, Tasmania by @dgraybarnett

66

9

7 months ago

Time for book news - I'm thrilled to announce that a book I've been working on will be released this month with @scribblekidsbooks . It's called 'Saturday is Pancake Day' and it's written by @bernadettejgreen (author of Who's Your Real Mum?), with illustrations done by yours truly.

This book is a heartwarming story about family traditions, the chaos of daily life, and the importance of taking time for yourself. It's a celebration of creativity and the little moments that make life special. Dada Henry doesn't feel like pancakes this morning, and Papa Milo and the twins aren't sure why. They persist in making more and more elaborate concoctions, but nothing will get Henry out of bed. Will they figure out what's causing Henry's gloomy mood? What goes with pickles, spinach and mayonnaise? And most importantly, whose turn is it for washing up?

This book is perfect for food-obsessed kids and readers who would enjoy the gleeful world-building of Richard Scarry with the soulful heart of A Sick Day for Amos McGee. It also has incidental LGBTQ+ representation of a fabulous fox family with 2 dads and gently deals with the issue of parental mental health (shout out to my fellow parents, especially the creatives trying to work from home/be a parent/run a business).

I would be incredibly grateful if you could pre-order the book before its official release on February 27th. Your support means the world to me and really helps launch our book with the best chance of a good, long life! Link is in the bio. 👆 by @dgraybarnett

229

24

3 years ago

Melbournites! My upcoming picture book, Come Over To My House, is having a book launch in Fitzroy on Sun Oct 2nd @ 2.30pm. It's hosted by the @little_bookroom and North Fitzroy Library and...I'm going to be there! If you're in Melbourne, I'd love to see you 😊 I don't often get allowed out of my studio/prison to travel, but we've made an exception for this wonderful book!

I'm really excited about this book - it's written by @sallyrippinauthor and @elizahull and explores the home and family life for kids and parents who are deaf or disabled. It's the perfect way to start a conversation about disability and inclusion with parents, care-givers and children.

@little_bookroom always puts on a good event so there will be book signing, and lots of other fun activities to celebrate! This event will also be Auslan interpreted. It's a free event, but you need to register.

More details and to register at the link in my bio. The picture book 'Come Over To My House' is in the centre, and is lying on a rainbow coloured blanket. taken in Bargoonga Nganjin by @dgraybarnett

3

8

4 years ago

The @asauthors election for the Board is open! Are you a member and have you voted? Votes close at 5pm on 2nd November.

I’d love to represent Aussie children’s book creators; both authors and illustrators. I’d also love to represent Tassie and people living in regional or rural areas.

It’s important to get involved and make sure our arts organisations continue the good work of representing all of us. by @dgraybarnett

72

6

7 days ago

I love when I come across hidden gems at the library - and this one is especially awesome.

Alexander lives in his mums pouch but she loves storing other things in there. He tries to figure out a system to organise it all, but Alexander’s mum keeps filling it up. So reluctantly, Alexander decides maybe it is time to move into his own room.

Little does Alexander know that sometimes parents know exactly what they need to do to help prompt their little ones to do the thing that’s scaring them.

I loved this book, so much so that it has gone onto my ‘To Be Bought’ pile. A brilliant story accompanied by Daniel Gray-Barnett’s epic illustrations.

#picturebookswelove #kidslit by @dgraybarnett

15

1

12 days ago

Story wrangling with these fabulous folks at MELBOURNE KIDS BOOK FEST yesterday at @southgate_melb was a tonne of fun. And we're back for more today.

Thanks @marymartinbooks for making the story magic happen for Melbourne's kids!

@emma.bowd.au @dgraybarnett @melanielabrooyauthor @benwoodillustrator @mrandrewmcdonald @tess_moh

#melbournekidsbookfest #ozkidlit by @dgraybarnett

95

5

14 days ago

@asauthors NEWS: there’s going to be an election! I’ve been nominated for the Board of Directors and I would love your vote.

There’s lots of reasons why I would love to do this and that I think you should vote for me, but in short, the broad experience I have as both an illustrator and author and also the many connections I have across the literary landscape mean that I can give voice to and advocate for a whole lot of you. It feels like the right time in my career for me to step up.

One of the things I really care about is advocating for children’s literature to be treated as equally important as adult literature. In my eyes, they’re two important parts of the same thing; a lifelong love of reading. We can’t really have one without the other.

This means I also really care about working with and supporting the people who champion our work. Teachers, librarians, booksellers - the people who I owe a lot of my career to.

If you’re an ASA member, elections will be held in October to fill the director roles and I’d love your vote. If you’re not a member yet, now’s a great time to join! by @dgraybarnett

89

2

17 days ago

I’m very happy to share that I’ve been nominated as a director for the Australian Society of Authors. @asauthors

The ASA is currently seeking nominations to fill four positions on their board, and someone suggested I throw my (pickle) hat in the ring. I said yes. Yes!

The ASA is such an important body for anyone working in Australian literature. They do so much great advocacy and awareness around issues facing us authors and illustrators right now. We wouldn’t be where we are today without them.

I’ve been quietly working towards a governance role like this in the past year or so, through The Australian Institute of Company Directors and The Institute of Community Directors. I’m at the right point in my career to step up. To me, it’s really important that working artists do so mid-career and not wait until late-career or retirement. We should be taking part in shaping the organisations that represent and advocate for us, so that we can help guide the future generations of artists coming through.

You’ll hear more in the coming weeks. If there are enough nominations, it will go to a vote, and if you’re an ASA member, you will get the chance to cast your vote for a director. I’d really love it if you would give me your support.

Stay tuned. 🥒 🧢 📚 by @dgraybarnett

176

83

a month ago

Happy #sundayshelfie day! Father’s Day edition!
It is my pleasure to welcome @debdoeswords and @dgraybarnett. This week we are celebrating Deb and Dan’s delightful picture book ‘The Thing About Dads’.
💛
One thing about dad-ing: there’s all kinds of ways . . . Some dads are born and some dads are made.
💛
From the bestselling author Deborah Frenkel and award-winning illustrator Daniel Gray-Barnett comes a heartfelt celebration of fatherhood.
💛
A joyful ode to dads’ special knack for turning ordinary days into awesome ones.
💛
Written by @debdoeswords
Illustrated by @dgraybarnett
Published by @thamesandhudsonau

#picturebooks #dad #bookstagram by @dgraybarnett

73

4

a month ago

Books we are reading this weekend to celebrate the wonderful father figures in our lives 💛

#fathersday #picturebookswelove #kidslit by @dgraybarnett

15

2

a month ago

The Thing About Dads

One thing about dad-ing: there’s all kinds of ways . . . Some dads are born and some dads are made.

From the bestselling author Deborah Frenkel and award-winning illustrator Daniel Gray-Barnett comes a heartfelt celebration of fatherhood.

A joyful ode to dads’ special knack for turning ordinary days into awesome ones.

#books #childrensbooks #kidsbooks #picturebook #bookstagram taken in India by @dgraybarnett

24

2

a month ago

With Father’s Day approaching, ‘The Thing About Dads’ by Deborah Frenkel and Daniel Gray-Barnett is one I’d love more families to discover.

Funny, warm and wonderfully inclusive, it celebrates dads in all their different forms — the silly things they do, the love they give and the many different ways a person can become a dad.

A gorgeous choice to read together this Father’s Day with a father figure if you’re looking for something.
Thank you to @thamesandhudsonau for our gifted review copy.

#thethingaboutdads #picturebooksforfathersday #picturebooksaboutdads #australianpicturebooks #picturebookreview by @dgraybarnett

92

11

2 months ago