About Anna
Anna McCarthy loved reading picture books with her son. As he grew a little older, she wasn’t ready to leave the enchanting world of picture books behind, so she started to write them!
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Growing up in a musical family, music has always been one of Anna’s biggest sources of joy. She learned the clarinet from a young age and later discovered the thrill of taiko drumming while living in Japan. After returning to London, that sense of rhythm never left her. She infuses her books with a lyrical, musical quality that makes them a joy to read aloud.
Before turning to writing, Anna worked as a physiotherapist and language teacher, driven by a passion for helping others unlock their potential. Originally from London, UK, she has lived in France, Costa Rica, Chile, Malaysia and Japan. Being immersed in these diverse cultures was a gift that continues to profoundly shape her and for which she is deeply grateful. Now based on Vancouver Island, she is surrounded by the beauty of the ocean and temperate rainforests.
She weaves these experiences — her love of music, languages and the natural wonders of the world — into the books she writes. Her stories blend rich language with nurturing themes, inviting readers of all ages to explore, imagine, and (re)discover our world.
Scroll down to read about her village of support.​
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-Anna McCarthy, Author -
It takes a village...
As with most things in life, a good book is rarely brought to life by just one person. I have been so lucky to meet and work with some incredibly talented and passionate people. I am forever grateful to them for helping me make my books what they are today.
Giraffe in a Scarf
EMMA LATHAM (Illustrations)
Emma has been a freelance illustrator, since graduating with BA(hons) in illustration from the University of Derby in 2008.
She used to dream of becoming an artist or astronaut; although she’s settled on the former, and has never been into space, her head is still very much in the clouds.
She lives in Nottingham with her room mates: Lex – a cuddly panther trapped inside the body of a house cat, Koji who has won the stinkiest cat in the world award for 5 years straight and her mad scientist partner who probably hasn’t seen the surface of his desk in over a decade.
STELLA MONGODI (Book Design)
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SIRAH JAROCKI (Editor)
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When adults would ask Sirah, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Sirah would say, “I want to read books for a living.” After a few chapters of teaching and photography, they turned a page in life, and they are now quite comfortable helping authors bring dreams to life (and reading in every spare minute). Sirah loves many kinds of books, from emotional novels like Summer Bird Blue to whimsical tales such as The Night Fairy, and of course, Sirah wouldn't be happy without a pile of picture books from the library every Friday afternoon. Sirah loves the way books can help create empathy, a little escape from the hard things, and moments of connection with diverse personalities.
For more info on Sirah, to hire them, or to see what they're reading, visit their blog, Chapters from the Hammock. https://chaptersfromthehammock.com/home
Message in a Bottle
NICOLA NORTH (Illustrations & Book Design)
Nicola was born in South Africa, has deep roots in England, and now lives in the beautiful Comox Valley. She is a graphic designer with over 20 years experience and runs her own graphic design business. After years away from art, she wanted to put marks on paper again. She decided to pick up her pencils, pens and paintbrushes again. The very successful 'Nicola North Art' was born. Nicola finds great joy in capturing the natural world, to stop and really take in the details.
JENNIFER REES (Editor)
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Jennifer is a New York Times bestselling Children's Book Editor, with over 15 years in the NYC publishing industry, specializing in Picture Books, Middle Grade and YA novels, such as Suzanne Collins' unparalleled THE HUNGER GAMES series.
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After college, Jennifer became a Children’s Bookseller and loved it so much she wanted to get to the heart of the book-making business. So, she moved to New York City and landed a coveted role at Scholastic where she edited picture books, MG novels, and teen fiction and nonfiction, and series for all ages, including THE HUNGER GAMES series. She now lives in Pittsburgh, her hometown, with her family of three amazing boys, one naughty Golden Retriever, and a library's worth of children's books.