Momo celebrating time to read: Meet the illustrator Anna Walker

Anna Walker launched her newest book at Gleebooks on Saturday. I have loved her work for decades but had never heard her talk or had the chance to introduce myself. Here is her newest book:

Publisher blurb: In a small boat, the turtle sets off on a journey to deliver dreams in the nearby city. Meanwhile, a young girl, scared in the night by the shadows in her room, finds comfort in her toys ... but cannot sleep. As the two stories unfold side by side, the young girl and the intrepid turtle must each harness their courage and overcome their fears as their worlds collide in the most wonderful, magical way.

Kirkus review: With few words, Walker beautifully blurs the borders between consciousness and sleep as the intrepid turtle’s actions result in tender dreams for the youngster. Vivid, expressive watercolors accentuated with spray paint use texture confidently—splotchy, speckled, and sparkling—to convey the story’s narrative arc. Sparkling, splendid artistic techniques create a world worth lingering in.

This book may just be my very favourite of Anna’s. It is almost a wordless picture book that resembles a graphic novel format with story panels throughout, there is so much scope to make the story your own. I may have cried the first time I read this gem, it is such a powerful and beautiful reassuring tale of courage, hope and finding light, even in the darkest moments. This is storytelling at its very finest, and as we find ourselves debating and discussing support for nostalgia vs contemporary picture books and also the importance of quality storytelling and art experiences for children, Anna’s entire catalogue is a masterclass in picture books being a rich storytelling experience and also an absolute work of art! Rachel Robson Gleebooks

Anna Walker bio from her webpage: Anna Walker is an illustrator and author of picture books based in Naarm/Melbourne. Using traditional mediums, Anna creates stories inspired by the quiet and sometimes joyful details of life. Her books include Florette - New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Book, Mr Huff shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and winner of the CBCA book of the year Early Childhood. Her most recent book is The Dream Keeper, an exquisitely imagined journey of imagination and courage.

Anna Walker contributed her art to the launch of The Little Bookroom. Here is her Instagram page. Here is an interview with Let's Talk Picture Books.

Some things I discovered at the book launch for Dream Keeper:

This book took seven years to create - you need to share this with your students and also adults who think they could so easily just throw some words and illustrations together for a picture book!
Anna completed 110 drafts of this story.
She used spray paint and a stencil for some of her illustrations.
Take time to linger over the end papers which are different front and back. The back ones are sure to generate some deeper discussions with an older group of students.
Anna Walker calls her book "a story in a story".
Notice the toys in the child's bedroom and the compare these with the animals on the island and with the final end paper.

Questions I did not ask at Gleebooks last weekend:

Your new book Dream Keeper is almost wordless - did you consider making it completely wordless? Do you like this form?
Do you prefer to work alone as author and illustrator - many of your books are collaborations especially with Jane Godwin.
Can you tell us about your plans for any new books?
Can you talk about your CBCA awards and in particular your award for New Illustrator with your first book Santa's Aussie Holiday.

Anna Walker awards (an abridged list):

2026 Between by Anna Walker | Received a Notable for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
2024 A Life Song, written by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Anna Walker | Winner of the Australian Book Industry Awards for Children’s Picture Book of the Year (ages 0-6)
2023 Snap! by Anna Walker | Winner of the Speech Pathology Book of the Year Award, 0 - 3 category
2023 Snap! by Anna Walker | Shortlisted the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year: Early Childhood Award
2023 Snap! by Anna Walker | Selected as a 'White Raven'—a prestigious annual selection of 200 books for children from around the world by the International Youth Library based in Germany.
2022 Don’t Forget, written by Jane Godwin, Illustrated by Anna Walker | Received a Notable for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
2021 Hello Jimmy!, by Anna Walker | Received a Notable for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
2020 Tilly, written by Jane Godwin, Illustrated by Anna Walker | Shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
2020 Lottie and Walter, by Anna Walker | Received a Notable for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
2019 Go Go and the Silver Shoes, written by Jane Godwin, Illustrated by Anna Walker | Received a Notable in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award
2018 Florette by Anna Walker | Won The Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature
2018 Florette by Anna Walker | Shortlisted for CBCA Book of the year
2018 Shortlisted in the Australian Book Design Association Best Designed Children’s Illustrated Book: Florette
2016 Winner of the Book of the year: Early Childhood, CBCA – Mr Huff by Anna Walker
2013 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Short List: Peggy by Anna Walker.
2013 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards Children’s fiction shortlist: Peggy by Anna Walker
2011 CBCA Awards 2011 Early Childhood Notable: I Don’t Believe in Dragons
2010 58th Book Design Awards of Australia Lets Play House
2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love to Dance
2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love to Sing
2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love Holidays
2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable I Love Birthdays
2009 CBCA Awards Early Childhood Notable Little Cat and the Big Red Bus

Books I have explored here on this blog illustrated by Anna Walker:

Peggy

Kirkus Star review: A charmer of a chicken has a big adventure ...

Don't Forget

A Life Song

Mr Huff

What do you wish for?

I own a limited edition print from Florette. The Kirkus Star review said: Lessons in both gumption and the sacred nature of urban green spaces.

About Hello Jimmy Kirkus said: Walker’s artwork is delicate and understated; gentle precision gives a light touch to everything from facial expressions to chairs, shoes, and headphones.

Here is one of her newest books: