This is about the earliest I can remember drawing... I was around 2 years old, drawing with chalk on the concrete at my grandparents house in Melrose. And that is my big sister's head I chopped off there... nice pants sis!

What am I drawing? Well recently at a school book talk, a student was convinced it was a snail and a giraffe so I'm going to go with that as I honestly have no clue!

I graduated from the University of South Australia in 1992 completing a Bachelor of Design specialising in Illustration, then made a beeline for the Adelaide Zoo which marked the beginning of a career as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer, and a wonderful relationship with the Zoo Education Service spanning over a decade - drawing enough animals to fill an encyclopedia.
Other things I have done along the way include an Account Manager for high quality printing firms for 10 years, finished artist for various Advertising Agencies and my very first job was as a strawberry picker!
I'm fortunate now to be able to freelance full time and share that passion of animals as a published illustrator of best selling children's books since 2008, predominantly with an Australian theme.

Now with 28 children's picture books published to date, storytelling through illustration is what I thrive on most. My first picture book as both author and illustrator 'Joey and Riley' was released July 2019 with Hachette Australia and the companion story to this book, 'Lucy and Copper' in 2021. I also love being able to share my passion for books and illustration throughout schools and festivals during the year with workshops and highly engaging presentations.

Click here to download Mandy's up to date bio and full publication history.

Awards

'Bev and Kev' - written by Katrina Germein. Published by Little Book Press.
HONOUR - CBCA Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards, Early Childhood, 2023.
WINNER - SCBWI 2023 Crystal Kite Award (Australia/New Zealand)

'What Snail Knows' - written by Kathryn Apel. Published by Queensland University Press.
NOTABLE - CBCA Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards, Younger Readers, 2023.

'The Last Dragon' - written by Charles Massy, illustrated by myself. Published by the National Library of Australia.
WINNER - ACT Notables Awards, Children's Book 2021, (big press category).

'Warna Manda baby Earth Walk' - written by Susan Betts, co-illustrated by myself and Susan. Published by Little Book Press.
SHORTLISTED - The Karajia Award for Childrens' Literature, The Wilderness Society, 2022.

'Joey and Riley' - written and illustrated by myself. Published by Hachette Australia.
WINNER - Little Pink Dog Books Authorstrator Award 2021

'Hush Say the Stars' - written by Margaret Spurling, illustrated by myself. Published by Little Book Press.
SHORTLISTED - Speech Pathology Awards 2019.

'Old MacDonald had a Farm' - illustrated by myself. Written and published by Hachette Australia.
No.1 selling children's book for Hachette Australia, 2013. No. 4 for Australia in the same year.

For school visits and speaking engagements

A member of the following organistions.

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

Adelaide Illustrators

eKidnas - South Australian Children's Authors and Illustrators

The Children's Book Council of Australia (SA Branch)

Writers SA

Australian Society of Authors