Circus character by Phil Mansell

As a break from writing plays, I recently had an idea for a book for children in the 9 – 12 age range. I’d stumbled across a website about Enid Blyton and it reminded me of how much I enjoyed her books when I was a youngster – particularly the Adventure series. Featuring two sets of siblings and their pet parrot, Kiki, these stories were, to me, much better than those featuring the Famous Five.

Looking at the illustrations reminded me of how, when I was reading the books (usually whilst eating a cooking apple!) I was transported from the back street slums where I grew up to islands, castles and valleys packed with adventure. It was this that inspired the book I am currently working on.

As I love drawing almost as much as writing, I decided I would illustrate it myself. Here are a few more illustrations I’ve done for books – some which were published, others still a work in progress.

A rough sketch for another children’s book illustration by Phil Mansell

A fish and chip shop in ‘Welcome to Jubilee Street’ by Phil Mansell.

Cover art for ‘A Bonfire in Jubilee Street’ by Phil Mansell

Artwork for a book I wrote for my son when he was a boy. Artwork by Phil Mansell

Artwork from ‘A Bonfire in Jubilee Street’ by Phil Mansell

Artwork for an unpublished book by Phil Mansell