James Mayhew
Author and Illustrator
Representation: Literary Agents
James Mayhew is an award-winning children’s illustrator and author who works in a very messy studio and loves nothing more than playing and experimenting with paint, paper, printmaking, lots of pairs of scissors and glue. He has been creating books for over 30 years, and recent titles include Once Upon A Tune, A Symphony of Stories, Peter & The Wolf and the Mrs Noah series (written by Jackie Morris), illustrated with linocuts and collage. Alongside his work in publishing, James works with a variety of musicians and symphony orchestras, presenting concerts that incorporate stories and art created live on stage. His collaborators include the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Britten Sinfonia, bringing classics like The Four Seasons and The Firebird to life in paint. For twenty years James taught at Cambridge School of Art (Anglia Ruskin University), including many years tutoring on the Masters programme in Children’s Book Illustration. A passionate advocate of art, music and culture for children, James is in demand internationally as a speaker, performer and educator, at museums and galleries, and both literary and music festivals. James lives in Suffolk, with his husband Toto and Diva the dog, where the big skies and gentle light are perfect for artists
Instagram: @jamesmayhewillustration
Photo © The Author
Featured Work
NOMINATED FOR THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL 2023
Once Upon a Tune brings you six wonderful stories from many lands, all of which inspired great music.
In The Hall of the Mountain King; The Sorcerer’s Apprentice; The Swan of Tuonela; Scheherazade; The Flight of the Bumblebee; William Tell.
The Guardian – Children’s Book of the Year 2021 (5+): “Compelling storytelling and exquisitely textured pictures” – Imogen Russell-Williams
A Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Year 2021: “A vibrant collection… a rich introduction to international fairy tales and to classical music” – Nicolette Jones
“A beautiful new book capturing the magic of stories behind major orchestral works.” – Gramophone Magazine.
“A simply stunning book crafted with love and skill… Very well written, the stories skillfully unfold with some lovely descriptive passages… Mayhew is a highly accomplished artist and he has created fabulous multilayered illustrations depicting the story worlds. Printed papers, rubbings, fabric, lace and music manuscript are collaged to create texture, pattern and depth… Music, art and storytelling come together beautifully” – Books For Keeps