Rowena Somerville

I originally trained as a book illustrator, and went on to illustrate material for educational publishers, children's TV, and a variety of commercial enterprises. I began to write for children when my own were small, and have now had three books written and illustrated by me, published by Hutchinson/ Red Fox. My first book - 'If I Were a Crocodile' - was featured on the BBCTV programme 'Words and Pictures'; my second - 'Don't Step on that earwig' is a compilation of poems on creepy-crawlies, which I edited and illustrated; and my third book - 'The Martians Have Taken My Brother' was judged to be one of the children's books of the year on its publication.

I now write and perform poetry for adults, and work as a writer and artist in schools. I also run arts projects, mostly through an organisation called Tees Valley Arts, based in Middlesbrough. I like to work with textiles, and I designed the wall hanging which is now in the RHB Village Hall, which commemorates the cliff stabilisation in 2000/1. It was made with the help of all the children who were then attending Fylingdales School, and we got on TV with it, which was fun.

I sing with and write for the acappella band Henwen, and we have performed all over the UK and on local and national radio and television. It's a busy life!