CURRICULUM VITAE

Agent books: Emily Talbot at United Agents unitedagents.co.uk Agent scripts: Jean Kitson at Kitson Press kitsonpress

GABBY DAWNAY Gabby is a children's writer, screenwriter and occasional illustrator. She is an author of children’s books  and writes scripts for Children’s Television. She has written for series one, two and is currently working on series three of the hit CBeebies pre-school animated show ‘Messy goes to OKIDO’. She also wrote for the classic and  beloved Children's tv series, ‘POSTMAN PAT, Special Delivery Service. She recently completed work on a new children's series for Dreamworks, called Rhyme Time Town, currently showing on Netflix. Recently, she has been writing for several new Early Years shows for Apps and You Tube, as well as for a new Chinese Animated series. As an author, her books include: A Possum’s Tail and London Calls!, both published in 2014 by Tate, If I had a Dinosaur, published by Thames & Hudson, non-fiction book A Roller-coaster Ride Around the Body, published by Franklin Watts/Hachette, February 2017. A House for Mouse, October 2018 (Thames & Hudson), A Song for Bear March 2019 (T&H), Samuel Drew Hasn't a Clue June 2019 (Tate Publishing), Bauhaus Ballet pop-up book  August 2019 (Laurence King) If I had a sleepy sloth,  February 2020 and If I had a unicorn (August 2020). If I had an octopus comes out April 2021, followed by The Library Book June 2021, published by Thames & Hudson. The If I had... series is ongoing. More books are scheduled from Frances Lincoln/Wide Eyed and Magic Cat publishing in 2022... Gabby also contributed to several Okido art & science books published by Thames & Hudson, and has worked as the sub-editor and writer/poet for OKIDO kids magazine since 2007 and has been part of the writing team for ECO KIDS PLANET magazine since 2014. She runs workshops, art and poetry sessions in schools, has taught in a prison art classes, managed an art gallery for many years and has worked in PR and marketing. BOOKS & WRITING   Latest cover reveal:  The Library Book published by Thames & Hudson 22nd July 2021  A Possum’s Tail  Illustrated children’s book, published by Tate Publishing, February 2014 Longlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2015 London Calls! published by Tate publishing, 2014 London Calls! Sticker Book Also for Tate Publishing, published September 2016 Samuel Drew Hasn't  Clue, published by Tate Publishing 2019 If I had  Dinosaur... published by Thames & Hudson February 2017 If I had a dinosaur has won numerous awards, including being chosed as one of BookTrust's 'Bath Book Bed' books 2018, and was read by Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne on CBeebies 'Bedtime Stories', Christmas Day 2017 If I had a sleepy sloth, published 27th February 2020, Thames & Hudson If I had a sleepy sloth was read by favourite 'Friend' David Schwimmer on CBeebies 'Bedtime Stories' in April 2020 If I had a unicorn, published by Thames & Hudson 20th August 2020 & If I had an octopus, published 1st April 2021.                                                   A Roller-coaster Ride Around the Body Illustrated children's non-fiction, published by Franklin-Watts February 2017  Runner-up in the ASA Book Awards 2018                                                         A House for Mouse Illustrated children's book, published by Thames & Hudson October 2018 Picked as one of The Daily Telegraph's '50 Books that Blew Us Away' December 2018 A Song for Bear Illustrated children's book, published by Thames & Hudson March 2019 Made For Mum's 2019 Silver Medal Award winner for Children's Picture Books Bauhaus Ballet pop-up book, published by Laurence King, August 2019, illustrated by multi-award-winning illustrator Lesley Barnes My Head-to-toe Body Book & All Around Me  Poems included in both of these books, published by Thames & Hudson, April 2012 and 2013.

TELEVISION/SCRIPTWRITING:

Rhyme Time Town - Dreamworks for Netflix

‘Messy goes to OKIDO’ – CBeebies/Doodle Productions.  52 x 11 mins.

Gabby co-adapted the show for television from award-winning children's arts & science  magazine OKIDO. She is a writer on the show, which is available to watch on BBC iPlayer, Netflix and YouTube. Series three is currently in production.

Watch OKIDO epsides here 

‘POSTMAN PAT – SPECIAL DELIVERY SERVICE’  CBeebies.

Wrote ‘Postman Pat and the Tremendous Tree’, first broadcast September 2013.

OKIDO, the arts and science magazine for kids

Songs, poems and stories written for over 90 issues of ‘Okido’ magazine.

Eco Kids Planet magazine 

Part of the regular writing team for this independent magazine for curious kids who want to engage with their environment.

JUMP! Mag

Wrote and illustrated 'Curious Creatures' series for this online kids/parents magazine.

Cityread London

Specially commissioned poem for Cityread 2013 called ‘Legend of the Library’. Cityread London is a campaign to spread a love of books and reading to the widest possible audience throughout the capital.  

AUTHOR VISITS

Gabby also runs workshops and reading/poetry sessions in schools, children’s festivals and even took part in the first ever Brixton Kids Bookjam 2014. 

COPYWRITING, SUB-EDITING and PROOF-READING:

Current - OKIDO magazine, including book and game reviews for Okido website

Tate Publishing, “Zubert’ a children’s picture book, published by Tate in 2013.

Art Galleries: Thackeray Gallery and Piers Feetham Gallery – writing catalogues and reviewing artists’ shows.

ILLUSTRATION / DESIGN:

Freelance illustration and design for clients including, Graham and Green, jewellery  company Firouzeh, The London Language and Literacy Unit, The Thackeray Gallery, Peers Feetham Gallery and The Almanac Gallery card company.

You can see more artwork here

FURTHER EDUCATION

MA Honours degree in English from St Andrews University, Scotland (1986-90)

Art and Therapy:

·     Art Therapy foundation course at Goldsmith’s University (2007-8)

·      Introduction to Counselling (Level 2) at Lambeth College (2008)

·      Foundation Diploma from Wimbledon Art School (1985-86).

Book signing with illustrator Alex Barrow at the South Ken Kids Festival