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I trained as a graphic designer (specialising in animation) at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art in the UK, after which I worked as a publicity designer for a London publishing house. This work led me into book design and illustration for children's books.

Since I have always loved children's books, writing and illustrating them was a natural development for me and I continue to run this work alongside my painting.

   

Click on images for more pages.

BUY NOW FROM AMAZON. Orders may also be placed directly at the publisher's web site, Ragged Bears. The Fox & The Moon is available in paperback and costs £ 5.99 plus post and packing. To learn more about The Fox & the Moon, please click here.

I have a collection of my original book illustrations, which I am happy to sell, ranging from small black and white line drawings to full colour paintings. These can either be viewed in my studio or you can contact me directly.

Reviews

Booklist
“Ages 4-7. A narrator of indeterminate age explains in simply phrased verse how smart, lazy, playful, soft, curious, hungry, and sweet her tomcat is, as children follow a series of atmospheric impasto scenes in which a distinctly tigerish tabby patrols leafy gardens between snoozes on lawn or lap. The poem’s lulling, repetitive rhythms (‘He stretches out beneath the trees/and feels the gentle summer breeze/Timothy Tib is the softest cat’) are echoed in Timothy’s strongly brushed stripes, as well as the flowing grasses, shadows, and leaves that swirl around him. It’s all about affection, and cat lovers will nod in understanding.”Jon Peters

The Bookseller
“My favourite of the cat books, however, is Liz Graham-Yooll’s Timothy Tib, with its sun-filled scenes. Whether yowling on the garden wall or purring for his milk, this gets to the very essence of ‘cat’, and the simple lilting text makes it suitable for a wide age range.”

Publilshers Weekly (Picture Books), May 14, 2001
“With a liturgical-like rhyming text and densely applied acrylics, Graham-Yooll (illus. of Hogsel and Gruntel) sings the praises of an utterly self-assured (and self-absorbed) tiger cat named Timothy Tib. ‘He stretches out beneath the trees/ and feels the gentle summer breeze./ Timothy Tib is the softest cat,’ writes Graham-Yooll, the verse descriptions and italicised responses reflecting the pattern of the text. A swift incomplete pencil sketch below the words suggests the cat in a state of repose, while on the opposite page, Tib is seen lolling amid expressionistic swirls of feathery green and white foliage, his body arced in an attitude of utter bliss. In three accomplished paintings at the centre of the book, Timothy Tib becomes the sovereign of the night, barely visible in the darkness as he stalks his prey and rabble rouses. ‘He hunts down all the mice and rats/ and caterwauls with other cats. Timothy Tib is a terrible cat.’ The final painting includes a partial view of the young narrator, her arms enfolding the cat who, back from his nocturnal prowl, lays claim to her lap. Readers who aren't cat people may find it hard to join Graham-Yooll as she offers up hosannas, but fans of felines will find this portrait of kitty imperiousness right on target. All ages.”

Books for Keeps (Picture Books for the Not So Very Young), 2001
“And after the mice come the cat, the dog, the monkeys, the swan and the pigeons: Liz Graham-Yooll's Timothy Tib is an excuse for a cat-loving artist to paint a tabby sleeping, stretching, stalking, prowling in full-colour full page pictures that will be every feline-lover's delight. Opposite each picture is a verse ‘At night no longer sweet and mild/ he's like a tiger fierce and wild.’ with a refrain - Timothy Tib is a jungle cat that rings the changes opening by opening as the cat's mood varies, and offers the artist the chance to insert a delicate line drawing below the text.”

Early Years Educator, May 1, 2001 2001
“Timothy Tib is an outstanding picture book by Liz Graham-Yooll, who is also known for her delightful illustrations in the popular Dick King Smith stories. The paintings featured in this story are outstanding and would be fitting in any art museum. They are superb, full of colour, texture and Timothy! Timothy Tib is a cat. He is playful and fierce, affectionate and curious, lazy and wild. During the day he is a friendly pet, but at night he changes into a tough tomcat, hunting and fighting. This book is full of colourful rhyming language that is as melodious as the paintings are descriptive. The text is basic and large print. It is an ideal book for teaching opposites and will serve as particularly popular for cat lovers young and old. Each page features an impressive painting of Timothy in his world both night and day. Additionally, each page has a lovely drawing sketch of Timothy. There is so much character in Timothy that this book is worth a look if for the illustrations alone. A wonderful success for Liz Graham-Yooll, the children will be purring for more! ”

The Fox and the Moon
This photograph was sent to Liz with this caption: “A good reader enjoying a good read.”

“We all love The Fox & The Moon. It kept our youngest guest (Charles aged 3 yrs) amused and quiet through the concert.” Adam Swainson

Published Works by Liz Graham-Yooll