Photo by Zoe Manders

Bio

My name is Owen Davey. My pronouns are he/him and I am an award-winning Illustrator from the UK. Since 2009 I have worked with clients across the industry, including Google, WWF, Facebook, Sony, Lego and National Geographic. I have created around 40 picture books which have been published in over 25 languages all over the world. 'Curious About Crocodiles' from my non-fiction ‘About’ series with Flying Eye Books won Best of Show in the 3x3 Professional Show 2022. From the same series, 'Bonkers About Beetles' won Best of Show in 2019.

I am also the creator of the game Fame a Fable, a fantasy-themed tabletop board game.

Clients

WWF / Disney / Google / London Zoo / BBC / Waitrose / AirBnB / TFL / Lego / New York Times / The Guardian / National Geographic / Djeco Toys / Walker Books / Guinness & many more ... 

Talks, Workshops and Judging Duties

Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration Non-Fiction courses / Creator of Portfolio Chats / D&AD New Blood Judging Panel / AOI Mentorship programme / Hay Festival / Dublin International Literature Festival / Hifest / OFFFest / Falmouth University / Rochester Institute of Technology (New York) / De Montfort University / Birmingham Institute of Art & Design / Cleveland College of Art and Design / Big Draw (Jewish Museum) / University of Worcester / Pop Up Projects

Personal Life

I live with my partner and our three wonderful children in Worthing, UK.

I’m a big old nerd and have a particular love of tabletop games, spanning from Wingspan and Forest Shuffle, to Marvel Champions and Blackstone Fortress, but I enjoy traditional playing card games too. I play an unfuriating lizardfolk cleric in D&D but our party is on an extended hiatus at the moment.

I play guitar and sing in a folk band with my best friend. I also swim, play football and the occasional bit of squash. I also enjoy baking, listening to factual podcasts like No Such Thing as a Fish, and watching fantasy and sci-fi films and TV.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my website. I hope you enjoy my work. Please email me: owen@owendavey.com or contact my lovely agents Folio.

See below for a list of some of my books and awards.

Awards

2022 Winner of the Schools Library Association Outstanding Contribution to Information Books Award

Can I Come Too?
Shortlisted for the Children’s Book of the Year: Picture Book Category in The Week Jr Book Awards 2024
Longlisted for World Illustration Awards 2024

Please Don’t Bite Me
Shortlisted for the Children’s Book of the Year: Animals & Nature Category in The Week Jr Book Awards 2024
Longlisted for the 2024 School Library Association Information Book Award in the 0-7 Age Category

Passionate About Penguins
Winner of the Children’s Trade 0-8 category in the British Book Design and Production Awards 2023
Shortlisted for The Week Junior Book Awards in Children's Book Cover of the Year 2023

Curious About Crocodiles
Best of Show in 3x3 Pro Show 2022
Winner of the Children's Books 6-12 Category of ABCD Awards 2021
Shortlisted for D&AD Awards 2022
Shortlisted for V&A Awards in the Book Cover category
Longlisted for World Illustration Awards 2022

Fanatical About Frogs
Shortlisted for Blue Peter Book Awards 2020 - Best Book with Facts
Longlisted for 2020 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal
Longlisted for 2020 English 7-11 Picture Book Awards

Bonkers About Beetles
Best of Show in 3x3 Pro Show 2019

Crazy About Cats
Bronze Award in 3x3 Pro Show 2018

Smart About Sharks
Gold Award in 3x3 Pro Show 2017

Mad About Monkeys
Nominated for CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2016

Shortlisted for World Illustration Awards 2021
Silver Award for 'Best Creative Play' in Junior Design Awards 2020 for Poppik Poster
Shortlisted for World Illustration Awards 2020
Webby Awards Winner (& People's Voice) in Design for TwoDots
Silver in 3x3 Pro Show 2019 for My First Pop Up Dinosaurs
Silver in 3x3 Pro Show 2019 for Djeco Umbrella
Silver Award in 3x3 Pro Show 2018 for The Who's Who of Grown Ups
Bronze Award in 3x3 Pro Show 2020 for Prehistomania
iPad App of the Year for Robot Factory
Parents’ Choice Gold Award winner for Robot Factory
Winner of YCN Professional Awards 2013 (Illustration)
Winner of Junior Magazine Most Promising New Talent Award 2011
Nominated for CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2017 for Curiositree: Natural World
Shortlisted for World Illustration Awards 2016
Shortlisted for World Illustration Awards 2015
Shortlisted on 2015 Academy of British Cover Design in the Children's Category
Highly Commended for Macmillan Book Prize
3x3 Pro Show Distinguished Merit Award (x2)
3x3 Pro Show Merit Award (x8)
3x3 Pro Show Honorable Mention (x6)