Ed Vere

Ed Vere was Writer-Illustrator in Residence from March 2020 until September 2020. During this time, Ed advocated for the power of pictures and visual literacy.

Ed is an award-winning picture book author and illustrator whose books include How to Be A Lion and Max the Brave among many others.

During his residency, Ed shared his thoughts on developing confidence and self-expression in children, encouraged children to contribute their 'drawing diaries' to an online picture gallery, and shared 'How to Draw' videos throughout lockdown.

When he was appointed, Ed said:

'I'm thrilled to be working with BookTrust as their Illustrator in Residence. Whilst there, I want to draw attention to drawing. What happens when we draw and how does it make us think? Why do most of us stop loving it as we grow older and where did we lose our confidence with it. Were we taught to be too self-critical?

'I'd like to start a conversation about what drawing can bring to our lives, how we re-instil confidence in those who lost it and how we aren't using it in schools. As we realise how prevalent mental health issues are today, drawing can be a powerful means of self-expression. I want to get us all, adults and children, drawing again and to create a forum where we can share those drawings.

'I'd also like to give attention to 'Power of Pictures', a programme I co-created with CLPE which works to bring visual literacy into an educational environment, showing how we can use drawing to successfully help those who are equally bright but think less 'academically'. Please add your voice to the conversation. We'd love to hear from everyone, those who draw, those in education and those who use drawing to help others.'

Learn to Draw with Ed Vere

Over lockdown, Ed created weekly how-to-draw videos of all your favourite characters. Try drawing Mr Big above, or have a go at one of his other tutorials!

Click here for more of Ed's how-to-draw videos

We have been blown away by some of the brilliant illustrations created by children who have taken part in Draw with Ed Vere, so we've put together a gallery of some wonderful pictures.

Draw with Ed Vere: Some brilliant drawings from children

If you would like your child's drawing to be added to our gallery, please tweet us @BookTrust using the hashtag #DrawWithEdVere, mentioning your child's name (or initial) and age and confirming that you would like their picture to be included.

Please note that by doing so, you grant us permission to include the picture in our gallery. You may ask for it to be removed at any time by emailing us on digital@booktrust.org.uk.

Features by Ed Vere

Related books by Ed Vere

How To Be A Lion

Author: Ed Vere

Leonard is a gentle lion: just because you’re a lion doesn’t mean that you have to roar. A book about ignoring the aggressive voices in our society and lending an ear to our quieter thoughts, this is a warm and reassuring story.