Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve illustrated and written over 50 children’s picture books and now teach the subject of writing and illustration for all stages up to University level. I’m particularly interested when a student presents a challenging theme a publisher might balk at on commercial grounds: we have plenty of books about pirates, fairies, dinosaurs, and monsters under the bed, but relatively few on the important lessons that life can throw at a child. Race, abuse, depression, or disability (with which I have personal experience) are subjects rarely seen in book stores and can be difficult starting points for a successful children’s book. But the restrictions themselves can often be the source of great creativity.    


I wrote

The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, the Exploding Eggs, the Wolf, and Grandma's Wardrobe

By Diane Fox, Christyan Fox,

Book cover of The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, the Exploding Eggs, the Wolf, and Grandma's Wardrobe

What is my book about?

If you think you know the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, think again! Cat is trying to read…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Where are you Lydie?

Christyan Fox Why did I love this book?

This is a book by one of my students, and it’s the reason I first began to notice that bereavement was an important subject for children – who might experience the death of pets, grandparents, parents, or even siblings – but one in which publishers see little commercial potential. Obviously, publishers are reluctant to print a bedtime story that ends on a downbeat note, but a children’s book can often be the best way to introduce a difficult subject or concept that starts a conversation.

By Emma Poore,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Where are you Lydie? as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Where are you Lydie?" is a special picture book centred around the subject of sibling loss, sensitively written and illustrated for children between 3 and 7 years old. It is a facilitative story and guide for young children and their parents to explore death and bereavement together and to start those difficult conversations or explore the questions that may come up after the death of a baby in a safe and inspiring space. Grandparents, Teachers, Caring Support Professionals and friends can also share the story as a platform for exploration too.

"It's Lydie's birthday today but she's not here. In…


Book cover of Dogger

Christyan Fox Why did I love this book?

Neither Dogger nor Shirley Hughes will need much introduction to lovers of children’s picture books… it’s a well-established classic by one of the world’s best-known author/illustrators. Dogger isn’t specifically about bereavement, it’s about the broader subject of ‘loss’ – in this case, of a toy – which can be a great place to start a conversation with a child and explore the wider concept of loss in a less direct or traumatic way.

By Shirley Hughes,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dogger as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

The classic children's book from beloved author and illustrator, Shirley Hughes

Dave's favourite toy is a battered, but still very loved, cuddly dog called Dogger.

Dave and Dogger are inseperable. So when a mishap occurs, and Dave loses Dogger, he is desolate. But luck is on Dave's side, and Dogger turns up at the school fair!

It looks as though everything will turn out for the best . . . until someone else buys him before Dave can get the money.

Will Dave and Dogger ever be reunited? And could an act of kindness save the day?

Praise for Shirley…


Book cover of The Snowman

Christyan Fox Why did I love this book?

The Snowman needs no introduction. And it also deals with bereavement in a more oblique way: the boy’s snowman melts in the final image of the final page, essentially dying. But the boy doesn’t feel the loss of an inanimate object, he feels the pain and loss of losing a friend with whom he’s shared games and adventures. The wordless narrative also allows parents to supply their own dialogue, or let the reader ask questions of their own. 

By Raymond Briggs,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The Snowman as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 5, 6, 7, and 8.

What is this book about?

An activity book based on the animated film of Raymond Briggs' The Snowman. Children of all ages will enjoy exploring the fun and excitement of Christmas with this festive book packed with things to do and make.


Book cover of Grandad's Island

Christyan Fox Why did I love this book?

I’m in two minds about this recommendation: on the one hand, it’s one of the few commercially successful books that deals with the loss of a grandparent head-on, while managing to do it in a vibrant, rich book that a child reader is likely to enjoy and request again and again. Benji Davies’ beautiful, detailed illustrations are a visual delight and hit exactly the right note for the subject matter. My reservations come in the fact that the ending seems fudged and confusing: did Grandad actually die? Did he retire to an island? Or did he go to whatever version of ‘Heaven’ your particular (secular or non-secular) beliefs allow? It certainly encourages questions.  

By Benji Davies,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Grandad's Island as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

After the phenomenal success of The Storm Whale and On Sudden Hill, this new book by Benji Davies deals with the emotional topic of losing a grandparent. Subtly told, this beautifully illustrated book tackles a difficult subject with great sensitivity and depth.

At the bottom of Syd's garden, through the gate and past the tree, is Grandad's house. Syd can let himself in any time he likes. But one day when Syd comes to call, Grandad isn't in any of the usual places. He's in the attic, where he ushers Syd through a door, and the two of them journey…


Book cover of The Heart and the Bottle

Christyan Fox Why did I love this book?

Quite simply the best book on the subject of bereavement I’ve encountered, and it manages that rare trick of appealing to children and adults in equal measure. It’s poignant without cloying sycophancy. It’s humorous without being asinine. It’s respectful of its subject matter without being overly reverential. Interestingly it bypasses the publisher’s reluctance to end on a sad or downbeat note by dealing with the bereavement at the mid-point, allowing equal space in the narrative to move on to the subject of the healing process, without treating it glibly. The icing on the cake is that it’s also beautifully illustrated and written. A classic and one of Jeffers’ best books.

By Oliver Jeffers,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The Heart and the Bottle as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Award-winning picture book star Oliver Jeffers explores themes of love and loss in this life-affirming and uplifting tale.

Once there was a girl whose life was filled with wonder at the world around her...
Then one day something happened that made the girl take her heart and put it in a safe place. However, after that it seemed that the world was emptier than before. But would she know how to get her heart back?

In this deeply moving story, Oliver Jeffers deals with the weighty themes of love and loss with an extraordinary lightness of touch and shows us,…


Explore my book 😀

The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, the Exploding Eggs, the Wolf, and Grandma's Wardrobe

By Diane Fox, Christyan Fox,

Book cover of The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, the Exploding Eggs, the Wolf, and Grandma's Wardrobe

What is my book about?

If you think you know the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, think again! Cat is trying to read the much-loved classic children’s fairy tale to Dog – parents will sympathise with Cat as she suffers question after question from inquisitive Dog. Minimal words and pictures combine to create a powerfully funny book, with two new delightful, engaging, and appealing characters in a perfect debut. The humour is very funny throughout… the simplicity of the drawings, the meta-fiction element, and laugh-aloud dialogue will delight six-year-olds and upwards.

This book was chosen by Julia Eccleshare as one of “the best of 2014” in The Guardian in December 2014.

Book cover of Where are you Lydie?
Book cover of Dogger
Book cover of The Snowman

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Book cover of Being Your Cat: What's really going on in your feline's mind

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