Emma Reynolds is a freelance children's book illustrator and author based in Manchester.
Her debut author-illustrator picture book Amara and the Bats is due for release in summer 2021. It's something that hints at her passion for nature, animals and saving our planet. With that in mind, Emma is also behind the global #KidLit4Climate campaign, which brings together thousands of children's illustrators and authors from over 50 countries to stand in solidarity with the youth climate strikes.
And if she wasn't busy enough, this June, New York Times best-selling author Aaron Reynolds publishes Rescuing Mrs Birdley, a book that Emma has beautifully illustrated.
We met to talk about the last 10 years since Emma graduated and how she's grown from freelancing to focusing on being a children's book illustrator. We chatted about the highs and lows of running your own business. We talked of mental health as well as climate change and saving the planet. And we touched on the joys of city living when you've grown up in a quiet village.
