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Born in 1938 in Wandsworth, South London, Tony Ross never though about a career in art, but says he fell into it after his dream of being a cowboy disintegrated when a letter he wrote to John Wayne was never replied to.
After Liverpool College of Art, Tony became an art director at an Advertising Agency but after a particularly bad day in the office he gave up his job to go into teaching at Manchester Polytechnic.
His first book was published in 1976 and as well as his own, he has illustrated over 1000 books for authors such as Roald Dahl, David Walliams, Paula Danziger and Michael Palin, which are published all over the world. His series of books written with Jeanne Willis featuring the extra terrestrial teacher, Dr Xargle, has established a huge following of fans. As has his fantastic and fun illustrations in the Horrid Henry series. A TV adaptation of his much-loved Little Princess series is currently showing on Channel 5’s Milkshake.
This is a wonderfully silly, wonderfully funny picture book from the absolute master of the genre, Tony Ross. Mr Wolf is a tricky character, more than a match for his neighbours, a flock of sheep who – ulp! – provide most of his meals. They are shockingly easy to trick though: apparently you can fool some of the people all of the time. Even so, Mr Wolf comes to the sort of end he deserves, and it’s entirely his own fault. Giggles guaranteed on every page, and as always Ross tells his tale with visual and verbal flourish.
We’re used to the Little Princess behaving badly, but this new story shows a different side to her, and is surprisingly tender. She’s proud of her dad, the king, but still wishes he could do things the other dads in the palace can, and, for example, teach her to ride and cook, and swim. Her maid takes it upon herself to instruct her little mistress in these things, but things don’t go well. Feeling fed up and a failure, there’s only one person the Little Princess wants, only one person who can make her smile again … The illustrations have the boundless energy that is the hallmark of Tony Ross, but are also full of warmth and affection.
As her fans know, what the Little Princess wants, the Little Princess usually gets, and in this story she wants a bunny. After promising faithfully that she will look after it properly, she’s allowed to choose a rabbit from the pet shop, a white one she calls Chalky. But lovely as he is, it isn’t long before new excitements distract the Little Princess and poor Chalky is forgotten. In fact things end happily for him, and for the Little Princess – at least after her daddy has consoled her – though there’s one final twist in the tale. As ever, Tony Ross captures every one of the Little Princess’s volatile moods and emotions brilliantly and the story will have children and adults laughing.
November 2017 Book of the Month It might be the middle of summer, but the Little Princess demands SNOW. Lots of festive fun with our feisty princess and perfect for toddlers and parents to share together particuarly as children will learn they can't always have everything they want.
No-one draws naughty children quite as well as Tony Ross, so it’s probably no surprise that his very first picture book was the story of Goldilocks. First published over 40 years ago this has now been reissued by Andersen Press in a lovely new hardback edition. It features lots of familiar Tony Ross touches: Goldilocks has a thick mass of unruly blonde hair and stomps around the bears’ house in jeans and trainers with such energy that you can almost hear the walls rattle. The bears themselves are wonderful characters, particularly the furious father bear. A wonderfully lively retelling distinguished by evidence of Tony Ross’s particular genius. ~ Andrea Reece
After all these years the Little Princess still rules the palace and its inhabitants – including the queen, the admiral and the prime minister. The king is away and she wants a bedtime story, but none of the grown-ups’ stories match her daddy’s (though the gardener’s tale of the carrot who was afraid of the dark sounds good). When she gets that look – perfectly depicted by Tony Ross in facial expression and body language – the maid is called, as she so often is. She takes the Little Princess to the library, full of course of brilliant stories, even the one that daddy always tells and, to her surprise, the Little Princess can read it all by herself. Tony Ross’s understanding of children is as acute as ever, and children and parents will love this. ~ Andrea Reece
Just the right size for little hands, this board book provides a perfect first introduction to a much-loved fairy tale and sturdy side tabs cleverly tell the story in short-hand via images of a bowl of porridge, a chair, a bed, baby bear crying and Goldilocks. In jeans and boots Goldilocks is a thoroughly modern heroine while the bears are stylishly fogeyish in tweeds and fur, their anger at the cheeky little girl both funny and satisfyingly scary. As ever, Tony Ross’s illustrations are full of vigour and character and this is sure to be a favourite and the free audio version, available via a QR code, is an added bonus. ~ Andrea Reece
Jack, his mother and their cow Clover are real characters in Tony Ross’s typically lively version of this much-loved fairy tale. Told in just five scenes, it’s full of drama and a wonderful sense of scale too – the beanstalk is clearly huge, and the giant falls from the top at full speed, the illustration catching him just before he hits the ground with what will certainly be a most satisfying thump! Tony Ross fills every book he creates with wit and invention and this sturdy board book is a perfect introduction to the story. A free audio version, available via a QR code, is an added bonus. ~ Andrea Reece
After all these years the Little Princess still rules the palace and its inhabitants – including the queen, the admiral and the prime minister. The king is away and she wants a bedtime story, but none of the grown-ups’ stories match her daddy’s (though the gardener’s tale of the carrot who was afraid of the dark sounds good). When she gets that look – perfectly depicted by Tony Ross in facial expression and body language – the maid is called, as she so often is. She takes the Little Princess to the library, full of course of brilliant stories, even the one that daddy always tells and, to her surprise, the Little Princess can read it all by herself. Tony Ross’s understanding of children is as acute as ever, and children and parents will love this. ~ Andrea Reece
Everyone knows the feeling: there are some days and some situations, when only Mum will do. The Little Princess has had a bad day – she spilled water on her best ever painting, banged her knee on the see-saw and imagined a monster under her bed. Those famous tonsils are much on view and with each calamity the shout rings out, ‘I want my mum!’ A sleepover with a friend turns out to be unexpected fun, and gives everyone at the palace some much-needed peace and quiet, except the poor queen who misses her little girl. It’s a typically astute story of family life, filled with Tony Ross’s brilliant touches of characterisation and silliness. Perfect for Mother’s Day, but a treat for every day. ~ Andrea Reece
This lovely collection of favourite bedtime nursery rhymes with charming, lively illustrations from Tony Ross to accompany each rhyme is a wonderful book to share. There is also a QR code so readers can enjoy listening to a free audio recording of the rhymes as they read along.
November 2014 Book of the Month A funny tale all about the joys and perils of keeping a pet in a flat when animals aren't allowed. How Rita manages to do this is brilliant and it makes for an hilarious take on the responsibility of pet ownership.
