Gabby is a children’s writer, scriptwriter, poet and occasional illustrator. She has been 'poet-in-residence' for the children’s art and science magazine, ‘OKIDO’ since 2007 and co-adapted and developed the magazine for children's television, where it became hit CBeebies animated pre-school show: ‘Messy goes to OKIDO!' Gabby wrote for all three series, available to watch on BBC iPlayer, Netflix and YouTube. She has written for the Children's TV Classic series, Postman Pat, 'Rhyme Time Town' for Dreamworks, and several other animated series, including a Chinese animated series.
Children’s picture books include: ‘A POSSUM'S TAIL’ (nominated for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal) and ‘LONDON CALLS!’ both published in 2014 by Tate Publishing. ‘London Calls’ was turned into a musical puppet show by the BUS KING THEATRE (a puppet theatre on a London Routemaster bus) and the book also has a range of merchandise, including 'The London Calls Sticker and Activities Book'. In February 2017 ‘IF I HAD A DINOSAUR’ was published by Thames & Hudson and ‘A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE AROUND THE BODY’ was published by Franklin Watts/Hachette, both illustrated by Alex Barrow. 'IF I HAD A DINOSAUR' won the best pre-school picture-books Made for Mums Silver Award 2018, and was read by Eddie Redmayne on Christmas Day 2017 on CBeebies Bedtime Stories.
Meanwhile, 'A ROLLER-COASTER RIDE AROUND THE BODY' was runner-up in the ASA Book Award 2017.
'A HOUSE FOR MOUSE', published by Thames & Hudson October 2018, on The Daily Telegraph's '50 Books That Blew Us Away' list.
'A SONG FOR BEAR' (published March 2019 Thames & Hudson) won the best pre-school picture-books Made for Mums Silver Award 2020.
'SAMUEL DREW HASN'T A CLUE' (prequel to 'A Possum's Tail') was published by Tate in June 2019.
'BAUHAUS BALLET - A Pop-Up Performance' was published in August 2019 by Laurence King to mark the centenary celebration of the Bauhaus movement. Gabby worked with the illustrator and designer Lesley Barnes writing the simple, rhyming text. This paper-engineered delight has so far been published in: German, Spanish, Italian and French (a mini EU triumph).
'IF I HAD A SLEEPY SLOTH', was published by Thames & Hudson February 2020, AND - be still my beating heart - read by DAVID SCHWIMMER on CBEEBIES BEDTIME STORIES.
'IF I HAD A UNICORN', came out August 2020 and won a Made For Mums Gold Award 2021.
'If I HAD AN OCTOPUS' was published April 2021 (T&H)
'THE LIBRARY BOOK' is an exciting collaboration with illustrator Ian Morris, published July 2021 (Thames & Hudson).
Books 2022:
'IF I HAD A KANGAROO' (T&H)
'IF I HAD A VAMPIRE BAT' (T&H)
'5 MINUTE NATURE STORIES' (Magic Cat publishing)
'A Treasury of Tales' (Wide Eyed Editions/Frances Lincoln)
Books 2023:
'IF I HAD A CROCODILE' (T&H)
'IF I HAD A POLAR BEAR' (T&H)
'THROUGH THE FAIRY DOOR' (Magic Cat publishing)
'ROUND AND ROUND GOES MOTHER NATURE' (Wide Eyed Editions)
'A TREASURY OF TALES FOR 5 YEAR OLDS' (Frances Lincoln)
Books 2024:
'A Field Guide to Spring' 1/4 (T&H)
'Wild Languages of Mother Nature' (Wide Eyed Editions)
'5 Minute Ocean Stories' (Magic Cat Publishing)
'If I had a dragon' - 9/9 in the series (T&H)
'A Field Guide to Autumn' 2/4 (T&H)
Gabby continues to work as sub-editor and regular contributor for award-winning ‘OKIDO’ magazine, and is part of the writing team for award-winning 'ECO KIDS PLANET' magazine (which she has also illustrated for, too), as well as having contributed to several other independent children’s publications such as STEW and online mag JUMP!.
Gabby and illustrator Alex Barrow regularly run workshops in schools and festivals for kids based around their books, illustration and magazine work.
Gabby has two whippets: Hero, who is a qualified Pets As Therapy 'Reading Dog' and Remy, who is not. Hero used to visit a local primary school every week where she led 'The Reading Pack'. Remy (named after the rat in Ratatouille) sadly scuppered Hero's career reading career.
Gabby lives in Brixton, London with her husband, three grown/growing-up children and a cat called Pan, who visits only occasionally but is obviously the boss of everyone.
