Amersham illustrator teams up with pop-star for illustration book

Amersham-based illustrator Kate Hazell has launched a major new picture book for children, which celebrates the potential of kids of all different backgrounds, including children of colour.

It is written by pop star and model V.V.Brown.

The book, Lily and the Magic Comb, follows the adventures of a young girl who can transport herself anywhere she wants to go, thanks to a magic comb. With its eye-popping illustrations and charming rhyming, the books seeks to celebrate and inspire children who are often under-represented in children’s literature.

V.V. Brown wrote the book out of frustration, as she felt there needed to be more children of colour in books. She also felt that children’s books are a powerful and beautiful way for children to see themselves as important.

Kate Hazell, a local illustrator and mum of two, has set out to show the lead character on a colourful, inspiring journey. She travels to outer space to meet an astronaut, dances around planets, eats cake with aliens and daydreams about her future self – as a scientist, musician, athlete and explorer. Kate illustrated the book during the Covid-19 lockdown, while also caring for her son and new baby daughter.

The book is available to order through Amazon, Waterstones, WH Smiths, Hive and other outlets (RRP £7.99). V.V. Brown has set up the Woke Kidz Books imprint, to seek more representation for children from diverse backgrounds in books.

Kate Hazell is a magazine illustrator and regular contributor to Prospect, BBC World History, Aquilla and Saga magazines. She is originally from Haddenham, attended Aylesbury High School, and now lives in Amersham.

Kate says:

“I’m very excited to see this book hit the shelves. It is so important to ensure kids of all backgrounds are represented in children’s literature. This book not only celebrates diversity, but I hope will empower children – but showing them who they can be. It’s a real sense of achievement especially as I was illustrating it, with a new baby, during lockdown. I love reading it with my own kids.”

V.V. Brown says:

“It was a struggle trying to find books for my children so I thought I’d write one. I thought it might be possible with my songwriting background. When it was finished It was a struggle to get the book published as a lot of the bigger publishers said the book was good but was a niche market. I didn’t understand why the word niche was being used. I shelved it and moved on. In 2020 I felt inspired to make it happen and I decided to set up my own publishing company, Woke Kidz Books.”