I was born in London in July 1962 but brought up in Dolgellau, North Wales and then Bath where I spent my teenage years. At Secondary school I used to fill whole exercise books with stories much to my English teacher’s annoyance (he had to mark them!)
In 1982, after A levels I did an art foundation in Filton, Bristol - a desolate place surrounded by British Aerospace airfields and an army of gas fitters. Then I did a Graphic Design degree at Bristol Polytechnic (now UWE) where I initially specialised in film editing (making beer commercials!). But then I met Tracey and joined her in the illustration group! We got married in 1984 while still at college.
When we left in 1985 we took our portfolios of artwork up to London on the coach to show to publishers. We were expecting to be on and off the dole for a few years but luckily we were picked up very quickly by Macdonald and have never been unemployed since. My first book Hello Mr Scarcrow came out in 1986. Tracey gave up illustration in 1989 when our first son Tim was born. I switched publishers to The Bodley Head, now part of Random House. In 1990 we moved to Rhayader when we now live in a seven acre smallholding with sheep, chickens and cat. Since then we’ve had a second son, Rhydian, I’ve been a pastor of a church for five years (unpaid!) and taught in a Welsh speaking nursery for nine years. I’ve worked for the BBC (stories and illustrations for their website and innovative interactive projects at BBC IT research and development ) designed children’s logos for various councils and designed games for the Welsh Playgroups association.
I spend a lot of my time visiting schools and libraries all over Britain and recently Paris too, with trips to Pakistan and Bangkok due in 2009. Although I’ve written and illustrated 35 picture books, I have also written a few short-chapter books and want to write for older children.
I’m also a school governor, chairman of the local council and an elder in a local church.
Tim is now 19 and at Bath University doing Maths and Physics, Rhydian is 16 and doing A levels and Tracey is a Support Worker for people with physical and mental handicap.
When I have time I like to write and record music (guitar and keyboards), do gardening, and DIY.
TYPES OF SESSION
STORYTELLING
Storytelling includes line drawings with marker pens, the active participation of children and teachers and occasionally being sprayed by water!
NUMBER OF CHILDREN -any number AGE RANGE  -Nursery up to Year 3 (If there is more than one class in a session it is helpful if the age range is not too wide) SESSION LENGTH  -approx 1 hour (shorter for very young children) MATERIALS REQUIRED  -sheets of  approx A2 white paper -easel or flip chart -watercolour or spirit markers in any colours-though I usually bring my own.

FRIEZEWORK
I start by reading a story and base the theme of the frieze on one of the pictures in the book.15 children work on the frieze paper laid out on the floor.The other 15 children do drawing and collage pictures on separate paper (at their own tables or space on the floor if done in a hall)The collage pictures are then stuck onto the main frieze towards the end of the session.  NUMBER OF CHILDREN -approx 30 AGE RANGE  -Year 1,2,3,4,5
SESSION LENGTH -approx 1 hour MATERIALS REQUIRED      -roll of paper at least 30×2.5ft preferably white and not too thin. -crayons,felt tips,chalks,pencils,pastels etc.NOT PAINT -scissors, glue -smaller pieces of paper for the other half of the group to work on approx A4 size or larger. -collage materials-foil,fabric,coloured paper etc.

ART ATTACK
A talk on how a book is produced from idea stage to finished product. I reproduce a piece of artwork  from one of my books using the same paints as in the original (only larger so that everyone can see what I’m doing!) Also the session includes marker drawings and samples of work. NUMBER OF CHILDREN  -up to 40 max. AGE RANGE  -Year 2,3,4,5 SESSION  ENGTH -approx 1 hour MATERIALS REQUIRED -as STORYTELLING plus
-container of water (for washing brushes) -1 sheet of A2 white card-thick or thin for me to paint on. -extension cable if a power point is not conveniently close-this is to plug in my hairdryer, used to dry off my picture quickly in case you wondered.
WRITING WORKSHOP
I start by explaining how I write, where ideas come from etc. Then I read Wolf Goes To Sea, which is about a lonely wolf who goes on a journey to find other wolves like him. We then generate stories connected with journeys using the idea of writing a postcard to a friend. I encourage children to read out their work at the end. They will also illustrate their stories, depending on how much time is available
NUMBER OF CHILDREN     -class size. AGE RANGE  -Year 3 - 6 SESSION LENGTH    -approx 1 hour (but can be longer) MATERIALS REQUIRED -as STORYTELLING
-sheets of A4 white paper or exercise books for children to write on.

BOOKSTART
Storytelling with music (my guitar!), actions and rhymes plus a craft activity. This usually takes place in a library. NUMBER OF CHILDREN -up to 30 AGE RANGE  -Preschool, nursery, reception SESSION LENGTH -approx 1 hour MATERIALS REQUIRED -as STORYTELLING -craft activity varies with the theme. Please discuss directly with me.
PLEASE NOTE: These are the ‘standard’ sessions I offer. I’m extremely flexible so if you have other projects in mind, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I will do as many sessions as you can fit into a school day providing that I have a lunch break and morning break!
Feedback
22 years of visiting the Northern Children’s Book Festival! If you’re no good, you don’t get invited back!
“Your visit has had a massive impact on our children and has inspired many of the children to go on to illustrate their own stories”  Westbury Primary School, Wilts.
“Thanks for all the hard work you put in with the looked after children in Gateshead. It was a fantastic event and great to see you again, Rob – our favourite author!”  Barbara Wood, Gateshead Libraries.
Awards
Hello Mr Scarecrow   (W. H. Smith prize: shortlisted 1987)
Friska the Sheep that was too Small  (Nat curriculum list 1997/ Book Trust‘s 100 Best books)
Tidy Up Trevor (Nat Curriculum list 1999-2006)
Cold Jac (Tir Nan Og Award: winner 2003/ Book Trust’s 100 Best Books)
Brothers and Sisters  (Coventry Book Award: shortlisted 2008)
Book list.
Friska The Sheep That was Too Small   (Macdonald)   out of print
Tidy Up Trevor            (Bodley Head/Red Fox)
Trevor’s Boat Hunt   (Red Fox/Heineman)
Friends  (Bodley Head/Red Fox)
Mr Dunfilling and the Toothy Monster   (Macdonald)   out of print
Grandpa Comes To Stay (Red Fox)    out of print
The Lord Is My Shepherd      (Lion)
Cold Jac  (Pont/Gomer)
What’s Up Jac (Pont/ Gomer)
Brothers and Sisters (Hodder)
It’s Gone Jac! (Pont/Gomer)
Wolf Goes To Sea  (Pont/Gomer)