In this episode of The Writing Life, illustrator Hayley Wells delves into the importance of representation in children’s books.

Hayley Wells is an Essex-based illustrator with an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art. Their work has been shortlisted for the World Illustration Awards, featured on television, and published worldwide.

They sit down with NCW’s Ellie Reeves to discuss The Spectacular Suit, a picture book which celebrates individuality, identity and self-expression. Together they touch on the relationship between writer and illustrator, their advice for people wanting to develop ideas for a children’s book, and the value of representing yourself and your experiences in your art.