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Find out moreKate currently illustrates children’s books from her studio in Leeds where she lives with her partner and two house rabbits. She has a particular passion for finding peculiar looking people/animals to draw and is pleased that this has lead to a very exciting job as an illustrator. Graduating from the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, in 2002, Kate was the highest placed undergraduate in the Macmillan Prize for Picture Book Illustration. She returned to Preston to study an MA in Children’s Book Illustration and has worked on a number of children’s books with lots of exciting authors.
March 2022 Non-Fiction Book of the Month | Here’s another brilliantly presented and engaging book from Kate Pankhurst. Typically accessible and readable, Fantastically Great Women Artists introduces eight inspiring women artists plus one culture-changing female collector (Peggy Guggenheim). They lived at different times and came from different countries and backgrounds, but all these women were talented and ready to stand up to those who told them they shouldn’t or couldn’t be artists. Young readers may have come across Frida Kahlo, one of the greats included, but are much less likely to have heard of Amrita Sher-Gil, Elisabeth Le Brun, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Faith Ringgold, Kathe Kollwitz or Dame Laura Knight. Pankhurst tells their stories through lively text, fully integrated with illustrations which carry even more information and insight, so that readers get a very vivid sense both of the lives of these women and of the art they produced or, in Guggenheim’s case, promoted. We understand the worlds they lived in, just how much hostility they faced, and why it mattered to them to create the work they did. This is so much more than a book about the women featured, it’s about history and art and women’s rights – everyone should buy a copy.
This eye-catching book is a compendium of inspiring women who dared to stand up for what mattered to them and to do things that those around them said they shouldn’t or couldn’t. In words and pictures - equally lively and informative – Kate Pankhurst tells fifty true-life stories of artists, writers, doctors, scientists, champions and campaigners. To put them in chronological order (and a handy timeline at the end does just that), she features great women from Hatshepsut, Egyptian Pharoah in 1479 BCE, to NASA scientist Katherine Johnson, who died just last year. Each has a double page to themselves, cleverly laid out to be visually appealing while delivering large amounts of information. Bringing together Pankhurst’s individual volumes but adding new faces too, this is a must read for every young person, and will fascinate their parents too.
Written and illustrated with infectious verve, Kate Pankhurst’s Fantastically Great Women Scientists and Their Stories puts paid to any notion that women’s role in science has been peripheral. In fact, despite huge impediments, and thanks to their intellect and tenacity, this inspiring book shows how women have been at the heart of many major discoveries - from finding the cure for malaria, to spearheading revolutionary DNA research, to making monumental advances in the fields of volcanology, astronomy, botany and chemistry (and more). Through an engaging blend of text, comic strips, fact boxes and diagrams, the book explores eight life-changing scientific innovators in detail. The fact that most of the scientists aren’t household names tells you everything you need to know about the importance of this book - these are innovators whose names should be known. Take Tu Youyou, for example, the Chinese chemist who spent months on a remote island researching traditional medicines in order to discover a cure for malaria, testing potentially dangerous preparations on herself - and all this against the precarious backdrop of the Cultural Revolution that saw her separated from her family and sworn to secrecy. Then there’s out-of-this-world Mae Jemison, an astoundingly multi-talented woman who grew up watching the first space missions during the Civil Rights Movement and went on to become the first African-American woman astronaut in 1992. Informative, inspiring and presented with passion and clarity, this is children’s non-fiction at its finest.
Nothing is higher profile or more topical currently than concern for the planet, making this subject an excellent choice for the next topic to get the highly successful Kate Pankhurst treatment. Continuing her quest to pay tribute to the often-overlooked female pioneers in any field of human endeavour with her mission to provide accessible and engaging non- fiction, Fantastically Great Women Who Saved the Planet does all that and more. Once again, I was struck by the fascinating and diverse choices of the featured women and girls. Some are relatively well-known: such as Anita Roddick who founded the Body Shop and Jane Goodall and her pioneering research and protection work with chimpanzees. But I had never heard of Edith Farkas who discovered the ozone hole in the Antarctic or Mária Telkes and her pioneering work on solar power. Even more inspiring is the evidence that everyone, however humble, can make a difference. Such as Isatou Geesay in the Gambia and her fight against plastic pollution or the Chipko movement in India, village women literally hugging trees to prevent the deforestation of their land and the floods and landslides which would follow. Each double-page spread has accessible paragraphs of text and lively cartoon illustrations and speech bubbles to tell the story concisely and clearly. This visual style is very engaging to young readers and has great shelf appeal. A useful glossary of terms and a page of inspiring calls to action complete the book. Another triumph of information presentation. Highly recommended.
February 2020 Book of the Month | Nothing is higher profile or more topical currently than concern for the planet, making this subject an excellent choice for the next topic to get the highly successful Kate Pankhurst treatment. Continuing her quest to pay tribute to the often-overlooked female pioneers in any field of human endeavour with her mission to provide accessible and engaging non- fiction, Fantastically Great Women Who Saved the Planet does all that and more. Once again, I was struck by the fascinating and diverse choices of the featured women and girls. Some are relatively well-known: such as Anita Roddick who founded the Body Shop and Jane Goodall and her pioneering research and protection work with chimpanzees. But I had never heard of Edith Farkas who discovered the ozone hole in the Antarctic or Mária Telkes and her pioneering work on solar power. Even more inspiring is the evidence that everyone, however humble, can make a difference. Such as Isatou Geesay in the Gambia and her fight against plastic pollution or the Chipko movement in India, village women literally hugging trees to prevent the deforestation of their land and the floods and landslides which would follow. Each double-page spread has accessible paragraphs of text and lively cartoon illustrations and speech bubbles to tell the story concisely and clearly. This visual style is very engaging to young readers and has great shelf appeal. A useful glossary of terms and a page of inspiring calls to action complete the book. Another triumph of information presentation. Highly recommended.
October 2019 Book of the Month | Here’s another inspiring, information-packed picture book in what’s becoming something of a series (see also Great Women Who Made History and Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World). It tells the stories of pioneering women who achieved amazing things, often in the face of prejudice or downright hostility from society. There are familiar names – Rosalind Franklin is included – plus lots that are lesser known, but just as fascinating: balloonist Sophie Blanchard for example, and Sarah Breedlove, beauty entrepreneur. Their stories are told through lively, engaging text and pictures, it’s a treat to read. Kate Pankhurst is something of a fantastically great woman herself, and there’s lots for all readers to marvel at and enjoy in this book.
February 2010 Book of the Month | Treasure, tropical islands, shivering timbers – everyone loves a pirate story and this one is particularly fun, especially for newly confident readers. The crew of the Golden Earring are a rum bunch, from grumpy Captain Halibut to hapless cook Cannonball. Their antics are observed by the animals on board – Cutlass the parrot, Patch the ship’s cat and Monty, the ship’s monkey. When a treasure map is discovered, only the animals know how dangerous finding it will be – how can they keep the humans safe? It’s all lots of fun, a jaunty, thoroughly satisfying story full of incident and humour. Illustrations by Kate Pankhurst make this as fun to look at as it is to read. Ooo-arrrs all round!
February 2019 Book of the Month | Here’s another inspiring, information-packed picture book in what’s becoming something of a series (see also Great Women Who Made History and Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World). It tells the stories of pioneering women who achieved amazing things, often in the face of prejudice or downright hostility from society. There are familiar names – Rosalind Franklin is included – plus lots that are lesser known, but just as fascinating: balloonist Sophie Blanchard for example, and Sarah Breedlove, beauty entrepreneur. Their stories are told through lively, engaging text and pictures, it’s a treat to read. Kate Pankhurst is something of a fantastically great woman herself, and there’s lots for all readers to marvel at and enjoy in this book.
It’s impossible not to be inspired by this picture book and the great women featured in it: their stories are told across bright spreads, which are enticing to look at, and packed with information all presented in a way that will make readers excited about the remarkable achievements described. It’s a varied line up of subjects, including a scientist, a writer, an athlete, an explorer and fashion designer alongside civil rights campaigner and even secret agent! Each page explains what these pioneering women did, and shows that everyone has the potential to change the world – just follow your heart and don’t listen when people say you can’t do something!
August 2018 Book of the Month | Kate Pankhurst inspires thousands of young readers with her books about the fantastically great women who made history. This book reunites us with those women, including astronaut Valentina Tereshkova, dancer Josephine Baker, and code breaker Noor Inayat Khan – and encourages readers to think more about them while they complete some fun and creative write in activities. There are writing and drawing tasks, a set of postcards to send to the great people in your life, and the book concludes by asking how you will make history, inviting readers to make a list of their own hopes and dreams for the future. Bright stickers featuring Pankhurst’s lively drawings of her subjects make it even more appealing.
Interest Age 5-8 | | Rose's Dress of Dreams reads like a wonderful fairy tale; the little girl who dreams of beautiful dresses and spends her time drawing designs for fanciful frocks (much to the amusement of her family) grows up to create couture for Paris royalty. In fact Katherine Woodfine's dreamy tale is based up on the life of Rose Bertin, a pioneer of fashion in the court of Marie Antoinette. Rose's dresses are breathtaking works of art, using the finest materials and jewels and lashing of imagination...but first she must serve out her time as an apprentice. Despite the hard work and exhaustion Rose never lets go of her dream. The book is dressed with colourful and ornate artwork from Kate Pankhurst.
The Pain (aka Jake Porter) is six years old. His sister, The Great One (aka Abigail Porter), is eight. Like any siblings, they drive each other mad but they have fun adventures. In funny, warm and characterful episodes, the Porter family comes to life as The Pain and The Great One battle it out in the small dramas of everyday life. Siblings everywhere, and their parents, will recognize and enjoy all they read! Click here to see the first other titles featuring Jake and Abigail.
Sibling friends and rivals The Pain and The Great One are back for another set of adventures. This time there’s embarrassment for The Pain when he muddles up friend and fiend in reading aloud, the excitement of Fuzzy the cat’s birthday party and much more. Like siblings everywhere, the Pain and the Great One love each other very much but they also fight over every little thing… Judy Blume is one of the best-known children’s authors in her native US but also now over here. She’s probably best known for her books for teens but this series featuring Jake and Abigail are a wonderful introduction at an earlier age of 6+ to a supremely talented novelist. To view all Judy’s titles click here.
Seven hilarious short stories of loving siblings, Jake (the Pain) and Abigail (The Great One) who can’t stop squabbling. A convincing slice of family life! There is also an audio version of this title available too. Be sure to also check out The Pain And The Great One: Cool Zone.
A funny family story about siblings The Pain (Jake) and his sister The Great One (Abigail). The Pain is six and The Great One is eight and the stories about them tell how they do everything together and how they drive each other mad! Whatever they are doing, and this time it is standing up to a bully, rescuing Jake’s stuffed elephant from a rampaging dog and much more, the details of The Pain and The Great One’s interactions are like families everywhere. Judy Blume is one of the best-known children’s authors in her native US but also now over here. She’s probably best known for her books for teens but this series featuring Jake and Abigail are a wonderful introduction at an earlier age of 6+ to a supremely talented novelist. To view all Judy’s titles click here.
Seven hilarious short stories of loving siblings, Jake (the Pain) and Abigail (The Great One) who can’t stop squabbling. A convincing slice of family life! There is also an audio version of this title available too. Be sure to also check out The Pain And The Great One: Cool Zone.
The Pain and the Great One: Saturday Stories is a fun bind-up of the first two books in the series - Soupy Saturdays and Cool Zone. In these hilarious and heart-warming young-fiction stories, Judy Blume perfectly captures what it's like to grow up with a brother or a sister, with gorgeous illustrations by Kate Pankhurst. Jake ('The Pain') and Abigail ('The Great One') may be brother and sister, but they don't always see eye to eye. Abigail thinks that Jake is a massive pain while Jake thinks that Abigail thinks she is sooo great. Whether they are riding bikes, getting their hair cut or throwing parties, there's always something for them to argue about. But despite these little disagreements, this pair are always there for each other, sharing in the fun! The second two books in the series are also available as a bind-up, The Pain and the Great One: Go Places.
The Pain and the Great One: Go Places is a fun bind-up of the third and fourth books in the series - Going, Going, Gone! and Friend or Fiend? In these hilarious and heart-warming young-fiction stories, Judy Blume perfectly captures what it's like to grow up with a brother or a sister, with gorgeous illustrations by Kate Pankhurst. Jake ('The Pain') and Abigail ('The Great One') may be brother and sister, but they don't always see eye to eye. Abigail thinks that Jake is a massive pain while Jake thinks that Abigail thinks she is sooo great. Whether they are going on holiday, visiting family or enjoying a snow day, there's always something to argue about. But despite these little disagreements, this pair are always there for each other, sharing in the fun! The first two books in the series are also available as bind-up, The Pain and the Great One: Saturday Stories.
'Significantly more engaging and inspiring than the rival Rebel Girls' GUARDIAN 'It's hard to imagine any group of primary-aged children who wouldn't be inspired' BOOKSELLER 'An absolute must-have for every young person's bookshelf' HUFFINGTON POST Celebrate some of the most extraordinary women and their remarkable lives with this gorgeous gift set of the wildly successful Fantastically Great Women picture books! Written and illustrated by bestselling author and illustrator, Kate Pankhurst - descendent of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst - this will make the perfect Christmas gift or birthday present for curious little minds. This brilliant collection includes: Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World Fantastically Great Women Who Made History Fantastically Great Women Who Worked Wonders Marvel at some of the world's leading game changers and go-getters, read about the suffragettes and their fight for rights, fashion icons, artists and revolutionaries...you will even meet pharaohs, queens, scientists and great literary minds with this fact-packed and inspiring introduction to our history's female leaders. Be prepared to be inspired by Frida Kahlo, Anne Frank, Emmeline Pankhurst and so many more brilliant women. This is a wonderful children's non-fiction picture book gem for boys and girls ready to take on the world! A must have for all little bookshelves.
Join in the fun with these three funny, festive stories about Father Christmas and his bonkers family - nothing goes to plan when the Christmases are about! Disaster strikes when Nick (a.k.a. Father Christmas) catches the flu just before Christmas day, meaning that it's up to his fun-loving younger brother Harry to save the day in Uncle Christmas. In Granny Christmas Nick and Harry's Granny turns up with her grumpy pet penguin, Percy, to stay for the festive season, causing chaos with her inventions and nearly ruining all the careful preparation the boys have done! Can Granny Christmas prove to her grandsons that her inventions are more helpful than harmful? Pandemonium ensues when the whole extended Christmas family unexpectedly turn up for the festive season in Real Family Christmas! With their parents, Uncle Rufus and Aunty Ruby, three wild cousins, Great Uncle Alf and seven-year-old Ivy all staying, how can Nick and Harry make sure that Christmas goes smoothly this year? Perfect for newly confident readers or for the family to enjoy together, Sue Mongredien's The Real Family Christmas: Three Stories in One, featuring gorgeous illustrations from Kate Pankhurst, is sure to make you laugh-out-loud, getting you ready for Christmas and putting you in the festive spirit.
'Significantly more engaging and inspiring than the rival Rebel Girls' GUARDIAN 'It's hard to imagine any group of primary-aged children who wouldn't be inspired' BOOKSELLER 'An absolute must-have for every young person's bookshelf' HUFFINGTON POST These 100 Fantastically Great Women postcards, inspired by Kate Pankhurst's extraordinary picture book series, invite little ones, teens and adults to use their imagination to shape the future! Each postcard celebrates women who have changed the world we live in today and who followed their hearts, talents and dreams. With motivational quotes on each postcard, remind someone you love to 'never give up', just like Rosa Parks. Or to 'tell their own story', following the wonderful Jane Austen. Or even to 'follow their own path' on the example of Sacagawea. You will meet brilliant women from the past, including Amelia Earhart, Emmeline Pankhurst, Valentina Tereshkova, Elizabeth Blackwell and so many more. With these 100 Fantastically Great Women postcards, you can write inspiring messages to the fantastically great people you know, near or far!
Captain Cat and the Great Pirate Race is a laugh-out-loud piratical adventure from Sue Mongredien, illustrated by Kate Pankhurst, creator of the bestselling Great Women who Changed the World. Patch is a ship's cat who lives aboard the Golden Earring. Along with her friends Cutlass the parrot and Monty the monkey, Patch frequently gets her pirate crew out of trouble - although they never realize quite how much she does to save their skins . . . In their second swashbuckling adventure, the pirate crew enter the Great Pirate Race; the most famous sailing competition in the high-seas. But when the crew decide to take a short-cut through the Sea of Really Really Bad Things, it's up to Patch to get them out of trouble - will she be able to save them from the scary, gigantic and, worst of all, really hungry sea-monster? Enjoy more adventures on the high seas with the first in the Captain Cat series, Captain Cat and the Treasure Map.
Join some of the world's most inspiring women in this must-have activity book based on Kate Pankhurst's #1 bestselling title Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World. Full of fun and utterly inspiring activities and over 200 stickers! Write your own stories with Jane Austen, lead a fashion revolution just like Coco Chanel and design your own pyjamas, and walk in the footprints of Mary Anning and follow the dot-to-dot to uncover the skeletons of dinosaurs. The world is full of amazing women, including you! Create beautiful postcards to send to some of the fantastically great women in your life and use the pages of this book to write down your own hopes and dreams for how you will change the world. With accessible information about these brilliant women accompanying each activity!
Meet the queen in this sweet story by Anne Fine, perfect for children learning to read. Pip's class are sending big red helium balloons off to celebrate their school's 100th anniversary. They ask the people who find them to tell them how far they'd gone. One lands just down the road, one is found in the next town - but Pip's flies all the way to Buckingham Palace! And Pip gets an invitation to have tea with the Queen ... The Reading Ladder series helps children to enjoy learning to read. It features well-loved authors, classic characters and favourite topics, so that children will find something to excite and engage them in every title they pick up. It's the first step towards a lasting love of reading. Level 2 Reading Ladder titles are perfect for readers who are growing in confidence and are beginning to enjoy longer stories. Clear type Up to 8 lines per page Bright, appealing pictures for added interest A variety of sentence structures A wider range of vocabulary Strong themes and characters to discuss All Reading Ladder titles are developed with a leading literacy consultant, making them perfect for use in schools and for parents keen to support their children's reading. Book band: Purple Meet the queen in this sweet story by Anne Fine, perfect for children learning to read. Pip's class are sending big red helium balloons off to celebrate their school's 100th anniversary. They ask the people who find them to tell them how far they'd gone. One lands just down the road, one is found in the next town - but Pip's flies all the way to Buckingham Palace! And Pip gets an invitation to have tea with the Queen ... The Reading Ladder series helps children to enjoy learning to read. It features well-loved authors, classic characters and favourite topics, so that children will find something to excite and engage them in every title they pick up. It's the first step towards a lasting love of reading. Level 2 Reading Ladder titles are perfect for readers who are growing in confidence and are beginning to enjoy longer stories. Clear type Up to 8 lines per page Bright, appealing pictures for added interest A variety of sentence structures A wider range of vocabulary Strong themes and characters to discuss All Reading Ladder titles are developed with a leading literacy consultant, making them perfect for use in schools and for parents keen to support their children's reading. Book band: Purple
When three billy goat brothers reach the bridge to the meadow, a slobbering troll blocks their path. The brothers are no fools - but how do you trick a troll? My First Fairy Tales are a magical introduction to the well-loved stories that are a key part of every childhood. With fresh and fun illustrations, these simple re-tellings of classic fairy tales make a perfect bedtime read for three to six year olds. Make sure you collect Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood, too!
