Born: Established: 20 Oct 1942 Sydney ;
Gender:
Male
Known as both a writer and illustrator, Bob Graham was born in 1942 in Sydney, New South Wales. He studied drawing and painting at the Julian Ashton Art School. Later he travelled to the United Kingdom where he worked at many varied jobs. In 1969, he returned to Sydney and began his career as an illustrator and designer.
He started illustrating children's books while taking some time off from work due to illness, and his first picture book Pete and Roland was published in 1981. His many projects include a six page, monthly comic strip for a French children's magazine called Belle Histoires, illustrations for various commercial enterprises, illustrating non-fiction works and his first love, writing and illustrating children's books.
Graham's illustrations reflect his surroundings and familiar daily events. His drawings exude gentleness, warmth, humanity and family life. A depth of perception, feeling and observation are evident in his work. Graham has written and illustrated many acclaimed, popular and award winning books.
'A broken, old bus appears one morning, sad as a whale on a beach, right outside Stella's house. On the front of it, held up with packing tape, is a hand painted sign... "Heaven".
'For Stella, this decrepit old vehicle is special -this bus is "ours" - a place for everyone to be together: hold meetings, play games and share stories. But one day, the bus is towed away and Stella must fight to save not just the bus, but everything the community has worked so hard to create.' (From the publisher's website.)