Rob Biddulph makes stories to read, pictures to linger over and drawings children can try for themselves. A family festival visit can bring those pleasures together. For a young reader who wants to see how a character appears on the page, hearing an author-illustrator can be as exciting as finding out what happens next.
Quick facts
Best known for
Draw with Rob, picture books and the Peanut Jones adventures
Biddulph writes picture books and illustrated fiction, and illustrates the work of other writers. He previously worked in magazine art direction. In his children’s books, words and pictures share the storytelling; the drawing is one of the things a reader comes to follow.
His first picture book was published in 2014 and won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. He went on to write the Dinosaur Juniors books, while his longer fiction includes the Peanut Jones trilogy, beginning with Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City in 2021. Younger picture-book readers and children ready for a longer adventure can therefore meet him through different shelves.
He was the official World Book Day Illustrator in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and became Illustrator of the Year at the 2025 British Book Awards. Macmillan Children’s Books published his latest novel in February 2026. It opens The Moonhaven Chronicles, pairing a werewolf mystery with his own black-and-white illustrations for readers aged eight to twelve.
Where to start with their books
Blown Away
Penguin Blue takes a new kite out on a windy day and is carried into an adventure with his friends. This is Biddulph’s first picture book, a choice for families who want a story to share aloud and a journey to follow through the pictures.
Odd Dog Out
A dog who feels out of place sets off to find somewhere she belongs. The journey takes her away from home before she discovers another way to see herself. Choose it for a story about fitting in and the courage to be different.
GRRRRR!
Champion bear Fred loses the roar he needs for the forest contest when a new bear arrives. His difficulty turns a story about winning into one about what matters beside a prize. This is another picture-book route into Biddulph’s characters and visual storytelling.
Festival appearances
For tickets, use the host festival’s official box office. Confirm the date, venue and access details before paying.
Edinburgh’s Friends Vs Fiends took place at Venue NW on 22 August. Henley’s drawing-and-book event followed at the Marquee at Phyllis Court on 10 October, with Cheltenham’s at the Garden Theatre the next day, 11 October. A child could encounter the stories through listening and, at the draw-along sessions, through making a picture too.
Where to see them next
No 2027 appearances announced yet. Check the festival guides for programme dates.
Plan your trip
If your child is keen to draw, make that the starting point when choosing a ticket. Follow the session’s instructions about pencils and paper, and pack the materials where they are easy to reach. Leave a little time afterwards for them to finish or show you the drawing before hurrying to another part of the festival.
Use the festival links on Rob Biddulph’s profile for the event’s own ticket and audience guidance.
Will every Rob Biddulph event include drawing?
Use the festival links on Rob Biddulph’s profile for the event’s own ticket and audience guidance.
Which Rob Biddulph book should we share first?
Choose a picture book to read aloud together, or a longer illustrated story if that is what your child enjoys now. There is no need to rush towards a novel when a favourite picture-book character is the main attraction.
How should I book for a family visit?
Use the festival’s official box office and check whether adults need their own tickets. Ask about access needs before buying, then plan the rest of the day around your child’s attention and comfort as well as the timetable.
