Liz Pichon is the writer and illustrator behind Tom Gates, where a doodle can tell the joke as quickly as a line of text. For a child who fills notebook margins with characters, seeing the person who makes those books can be the centre of a festival day. Her family events brought stories and drawing together.
Quick facts
Best known for
The Tom Gates books
Genre or subject
Children’s humour, illustration and graphic storytelling
Pichon trained in graphic design and worked as a designer and art director in the music industry. Her early publishing work included picture books before she began writing and illustrating for older children. The visual storytelling is part of how a reader follows the story, with handwritten thoughts, cartoons and the character’s view of school and family life sharing the page.
Her awards include the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award. The humour has a place alongside the drawing: a young reader can recognise the feeling of an awkward school day and then enjoy how the page turns it into a joke.
The twenty-fifth series book, Tom Gates Is Not Famous (Yet), was published by Scholastic on 8 October 2026. Its school story involves performance, friendship and hopes of fame. For a reader who has grown up with the character, a new instalment is another chance to enjoy that familiar voice; the earlier books below also make an easy way in.
Where to start with their books
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates
Tom’s exercise book fills with drawings, excuses for late homework and his view of school, including his wish to impress a classmate. Start here to meet the character in the first book and see how the handwritten voice and doodles work together.
Excellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff)
Two weeks without school give Tom plans for band practice, television and annoying his sister, but the dentist and family life get in the way. This second book keeps the schoolboy’s journal going beyond the classroom and is a natural next read after his introduction.
Shoe Wars
Ruby and Bear Foot must rescue their inventor father from Wendy Wedge, whose determination to win a shoe award puts his flying shoes in danger. Choose this for another illustrated world, with gadgets, siblings and a chase to stop an adult villain’s plans.
Festival appearances
For tickets, use the host festival’s official box office. Confirm the date, venue and access details before paying.
Hay celebrated fifteen years of Tom Gates on 30 May 2026 at the Meadow Stage. For readers aged nine and above, the event brought games, storytelling and a live draw-along, including both the familiar schoolboy and Pichon’s Mubbles characters.
Where to see them next
No 2027 appearances announced yet. Check the festival guides for programme dates.
Plan your trip
Let the child choose a favourite character or drawing to think about before the trip. Take a pencil and sketchbook when the session asks for them, and leave room in the day for a snack and a break. One event your child is excited about can be a better family outing than a tightly packed timetable.
Does my child need to have read all the Tom Gates books?
No. A favourite story or a love of drawing is enough to begin with. Let them follow the joke or character that interests them, and avoid turning a chance to meet an illustrator into homework.
Will children draw during Liz Pichon’s event?
Use the festival links on Liz Pichon’s profile for the event’s own ticket and audience guidance.
How do family tickets work?
Use the festival links on Liz Pichon’s profile for the event’s own ticket and audience guidance.
What should we read before seeing Liz Pichon?
Use the festival links on Liz Pichon’s profile for the event’s own ticket and audience guidance.
