Nick Sharratt

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5 stars across 98 books

Nick Sharratt Biography

Nick Sharratt is a much-respected illustrator and author of children’s books. He was born in London in 1962 and spent his childhood in Suffolk, Nottinghamshire and Manchester.

From a very early age Sharratt loved to draw so it was no surprise that when he left school he decided to go to Manchester Polytechnic to do a foundation course in Art. He then attended St Martin’s School of Art in London, where he studied graphic design for 3 years.

After graduating he started work as a freelance illustrator working mainly for magazines, he also designed packaging for cakes and confectionary. In 1987 he was given the opportunity to illustrate his first children’s book, Noisy Poems by Jill Bennett. In 1991 he illustrated The Story of Tracey Beaker for Jacqueline Wilson, this was the start of a partnership that has so far spanned 25 years and 50 books.

Nick Sharratt has also created illustrations for a variety of other authors including Pippa Goodhart, Jeremy Strong and Giles Andreae (who is also known as the Poet Purple Ronnie). He has also collaborated with Stephen Tucker to produce a series of books of traditional fairy tales with a humorous twist. He has illustrated around 200 books to date and won numerous awards for his artwork including the Sheffield Children’s Book Award, and the Red House Children’s Book Award. He has also been awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal, which is given annually for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people.

As well as illustrating other people’s books Sharratt has also written at least 40 books of his own, his most recent book Vikings in the Supermarket, is his first poetry collection and was published in 2016.

Nick Sharratt Facts

- He is the oldest of four children, his father worked in the Brewing industry making beer and his mother was a teacher.
- Nick Sharratt was chosen to be the official illustrator for World Book Day 2006.
- He is the proud owner of a Gold Blue Peter badge.
- He produces all his illustration in his very messy studio, and he has a shop mannequin called Joan who keeps him company.

Our Favourite Nick Sharratt Book Characters

- Greedy Goose in Julia Donaldson’s Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose
- Tracy Beaker in Jacqueline Wilson’s Tracy Beaker series

Additional Resources

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Publication Date

Series

Shark In The Park

1st February 2007

Shark In The Park

A special edition of this much-loved classic to celebrate 20 FIN-TASTIC years! Timothy Pope, Timothy Pope, what can you ... MoreShark In The Park

(51 reviews) Review

The Cat and the King

1st September 2016

The Cat and the King

Nick Sharratt's fabulously funny debut novel, THE CAT AND THE KING, tells the story of a gentle, unworldly King an... MoreThe Cat and the King

(23 reviews) Review

The Three Little Pigs

2nd March 2015

The Three Little Pigs

Three little pigs set off to build new homes for themselves. But someone big and bad soon comes looking for a tasty pigg... MoreThe Three Little Pigs

(23 reviews) Review

Nice Work for the Cat and the King

6th September 2018

Nice Work for the Cat and the King

This wonderfully funny follow-up to Nick Sharratt's acclaimed début novel, The Cat and the King, i... MoreNice Work for the Cat and the King

(18 reviews) Review

Don't Put Your Finger In The Jelly, Nelly

20th February 2006

Don't Put Your Finger In The Jelly, Nelly

"This is one of those books I would have in my top ten littlies "must reads"!" - Donni Hakanson, GoodRea... MoreDon't Put Your Finger In The Jelly, Nelly

(15 reviews) Review

Splash Day!

16th July 2018

Splash Day!

A fun and colourful rhyming tale from one of the UKs most beloved author-illustrators, Nick Sharratt. Splish, ... MoreSplash Day!

(14 reviews) Review

Toddle Waddle

1st January 2010

Toddle Waddle

There's a hullabaloo at the seaside when a toddler takes his friends on a stroll to the end of the pier. There are buzzi... MoreToddle Waddle

(13 reviews) Review

Ketchup on Your Cornflakes?

20th February 2006

Ketchup on Your Cornflakes?

A brilliant split page novelty book from bestselling author-illustrator, Nick Sharratt. A great re... MoreKetchup on Your Cornflakes?

(11 reviews) Review

Shark in the Park on a Windy Day!

27th August 2015

Shark in the Park on a Windy Day!

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the park . . .Timothy Pope is blown this way and that way in the windy p... MoreShark in the Park on a Windy Day!

(10 reviews) Review

Ouch! I Need a Plaster!

2nd February 2017

Ouch! I Need a Plaster!

Have you ever bashed your nose? Scraped your knee? Stubbed your toe? Then this story is just for you! Come ... MoreOuch! I Need a Plaster!

(8 reviews) Review

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New Book

Nice Work for the Cat and the King (NE)

15th January 2026

(0 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Shark In The Park

by Frankieb1

We read this book over and over. The kids love the rhyming and always shout SHARK IN THE PARK on cue! They love spotting the shark in the picture and ...
Super Silly Museums PB

by JCleden

This is a fun, colourful book full of pages that are jam-packed with illustrations by Nick Sharratt, that are so simple, yet full of detail (it gave u...
Shark in the Dark

by Sallyb1

We love Nick Sharratt’s ‘Shark in the Park’ so when I saw this in a charity shop I grabbed it. My little one and I really laughed reading it- especial...