My Hair is as Long as a River is a joyful celebration of being proud of who you are, from debut picture book creators Charlie Castle and Emma Farrarons.

Available to pre-order in all good bookshops. Out 2nd May 2024.

People don’t always understand the boy with long hair. But he knows that his hair is a part of who he is and who he can be ­- soft and strong, wild and still, fierce and gentle. He’d like to take you on a journey to show you just how magical embracing who you are can be . . .

Step into an extraordinary world of imagination and adventure, and discover the magic of being unique.

‘A joyous poem to individuality and inner strength, gorgeously illustrated with passion and imagination - a must-have for every bookshelf.’ - Children's Laureate, Joseph Coelho

'My Hair is as Long as a River is a beautiful celebration of standing out from the crowd and being proud of who you are. Emma’s illustrations are everything you’d expect: warm-hearted, playful and beautifully observed. This is a perfect meeting of text and image. I am off to grow my hair!' - Helen Stephens

'Gorgeous, poetic and utterly charming – Charlie’s writing flows with quiet confidence, matched beautifully by Emma’s painterly, characterful illustrations.' - Harry Woodgate

A beautifully illustrated tale about courage, imagination and an unshakeable belief in oneself. The illustrations are fun and really sparks your imagination! I can imagine many conversations happening between children about what their hair can do. - Jenny Løvlie

Christmas Tree Riso Card design using 2 colours, red and green.

Personal work.

Two explores in deep imagirary play.
A4 hand drawn art for two colour red and green risograph print.

Personal project.

Three colour watercolour , acrylic and ink piece.
Fluorescent, grey and black. Inspired by the plants at the Horniman Museum.

Personal work.

Five materials, watercolour, pencil and ink.

Childhood memory of being the new kid at a new school. I remember leaning against the white wall by the toilets, wishing for the bell to ring. And then suddenly two friendly faces approached me. Just as we were about to play, the bell rang. Stupid bell.

Personal project.

A gift for Kerry, our local lollypop lady who puts a smile in everyone's face at school run. I walk past her every morning. She always has something kind to say.

Personal work

Ink, acrylic, watercolour and pencil.

Personal Work.

Lost in the whispering woods, a cat met a witch.

Ink spilt out of the glass bottle. The witch had released the night sky.

“I’ve never flown on a broom and I’ve never been to the sea”, said the cat.

Folktale 2023 submissions around the following themes: Lost, Ink, Sea

Collection of original art sold at the Illustrator Fair.
3 art materials were used for these pieces.

Poster submission for Join the Revolution campaign.

"Every child" wherever in the world, and on "good" books in a world where reading and good books are the privilege of only a few

Personal work.

Ozwald watering his garden.

An imaginary cover illustration and design for a non-existent book.

This cover design was designed, painted and published in one day for the #theimaginedbookcover2022 instagram challenge.

Personal work.

Meet Mr Puddlewick, the most stylish dog in Paris. An imaginary cover illustration and design for a non-existent book. Inspired by old Parisian ladies and their little dogs. Featuring my bathroom tiles.

This cover design was designed, painted and published in one day for the #theimaginedbookcover2022 instagram challenge.

Personal work.

It’s the school play. Act 1, Scene 1, enter angel and mermaid…

An imaginary cover illustration and design for a non-existent book.

This cover design was designed, painted and published in one day for the #theimaginedbookcover2022 instagram challenge.

Personal work. Imaginary play in a carton box.

An imaginary cover illustration and design for a non-existent book.

This cover design was designed, painted and published in one day for the #theimaginedbookcover2022 instagram challenge.

Inspired by a neighbour dad and son I frequently see near my home. Collage, acrylic, pencil, watercolour and pastel.

Acrylic gouache, ink and pastel

Print designed to raise money for the families that joined my children’s school.

The pigeon was gone.

Acrylic paint and colouring pencils.

Bespoke luxury eyeglasses cloth commissioned by Taylor-West & Co Opticians in East Dulwich. The brief was to create the shop front and give a sense of community. I’ve sneaked myself in on the right with my children. George, the owner, is inside speaking to a customer.

Based on memories of gymnastics and ballet class as a child. Watercolour, ink and colouring pencil.

REVIEW QUOTES

“A Stress-busting coloring book” – The New York Times

“Free of any distracting themes, full of soothing waves and geometric patterns, this mindfulness-oriented coloring book will pack an extra punch of calm.” – Huffington Post

“It is easy to get lost in these beautiful images!” – Washington Post

“The soothing flowers, butterfly, bird, and wave designs give you a moment (or longer) to recharge your batteries.” – Reader’s Digest

“Life is basically kind of stressful. This small, adorable coloring book can help you unwind and relax.” – ApartmentTherapy.com

“One of the best coloring books out there.” – Huffington Post

“Farrarons is right about the anti-stress angle. Plus it’s been a lot of fun.” – Boing Boing

“This little tome should become a popular favorite with busy adults.” – San Francisco Book Review

The Mindfulness Colouring Book is a best selling colouring book. It is part of a series which has sold over a million copies around the world. It has been translated in 21 languages including: Afrikaans, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese, Czech, Danish, English, Finnish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai and Turkish.

Mindfulness Moments is the 3rd colouring book from the million-copy international bestselling series Mindfulness Colouring Book. With a fresh new graphic look, this book includes intricate patterns to colour in and thirty activities to promote mindfulness which have been written and illustrated by Emma Farrarons.

*Available in all UK bookshops and Amazon*

Published January 2018, by Boxtree

An Anti-stress Drawing, Colouring and Hand-lettering Activity Book.

The 4th book in The Mindfulness Colouring Book series, Art of Mindfulness is a colouring and drawing activity book that invites you to complete the illustrations, create your own patterns and practice your calligraphy.

Can you spot the mountain trolls, mermaid, elves and forest animals?

Poster created for an exhibition about Scandinavian fairy tales curated at the Swedish café Fika. Art direction, typography, design, and illustration.

A Nordic map of gnomes 'tomtenisse and nisse'. Exhibition piece themed around Scandinavian and nordic folklore for the Hidden Folk exhibition. Illustration, art direction and design. 

School Wall. Watercolour, colouring pencil, ink and nib.

This piece was created for Drawing Europe Together.

Drawing Europe Together is a passionate and heartfelt exploration of Europe and what it means to many of the people who live and work within its borders.

The book brings together forty-five illustrators who, through their drawings and accompanying words, share their vision of Europe in this beautiful and timely collection, with a foreword by Axel Scheffler.

Tote bag illustration and design. An illustration and branding collaboration with the Eskwela Haiyan charity, a non-profit organisation created by Joanna Vasquez Arong. In order to help young Filipino students affected by Typhoon Haiyan make ends meet and finish school through donations and selling this canvas bag. 

If you wish to find out more about the charity or purchase a canvas bag, here are links to the charity:
Eskwela Haiyan Facebook