About the series: In this engaging series, we unveil the most promising voices in children’s literature, introducing the authors to keep an eye on in 2023.
There’s something truly magical about discovering a new author, isn’t there? Well, let me tell you about Briony May Smith, a wonderfully talented freelance illustrator from the picturesque countryside of Devon. You won’t believe it, but I stumbled upon her incredible work right on Instagram, of all places! The moment I saw her enchanting illustrations, I was completely smitten. It was like discovering a charming, well-worn bookshop hidden away in a quiet corner of town.
Briony May Smith’s creative journey began in Sandhurst, her hometown. Later, she pursued her passion for Illustration at Falmouth University in Cornwall, where she achieved a distinguished 1st Class BA (Hons) degree. Her talent quickly gained recognition when she received high commendations for the Macmillan Children’s Book Prize in both 2013 and 2014. Additionally, in 2014, she was shortlisted for the Emerging Talent Category of the prestigious British Comic Awards.
In 2016, Smith returned to her roots in the Southwest, where the rural landscape served as a wellspring of inspiration for her artistic endeavours. She is renowned for her work as an author and illustrator of children’s books, with her stories transcending borders, being translated into more than 20 languages.
Initially, I wanted Smith to create the illustrations for my website, commonroom.in. But a quick peek at her Instagram profile revealed that she was not just any illustrator – she was a wonderfully busy author-illustrator, with a string of enchanting books to her name, and I just knew I had to get my hands on at least some of them! Let me tell you, they exceeded all my expectations. Smith’s stories are like a snug blanket on a cold winter’s day, filled with captivating characters and, oh, those illustrations! They’re nothing short of magical.
If my introduction to this remarkable artist hasn’t piqued your interest yet, just wait until you dive into her world. Let me share my top 7 favourites that will surely envelop your little one in a cozy, heartwarming embrace.
ANJALY FRANCIS
Anjaly is the founder of Common Room and a Cambridge- certified teacher of English. Her childhood goal was to read every book in the children’s section of the library. Through Common Room, she wishes to inspire and nurture young minds by providing a platform to explore and develop their writing skills, foster creativity, and ignite a love for storytelling.
by Briony May Smith
Margaret’s life gets flipped when her family moves to a cottage by the sea to be near her grandma. One evening, Margaret sees something weird over the water. Not mist, not clouds, but unicorns! They pop up on the shore and disappear quick, but they forget a baby unicorn all tangled up in the weeds. Margaret has no friends and feels quite lonely, so she takes the little guy home and looks after him all through the fall and winter. Together they chase waves, stomp frozen puddles and even make snow unicorns. When spring rolls around and the other unicorns come back, Margaret takes her buddy back to his family. But these two won’t ever forget each other. Margaret misses him, but she’s got a new friend now, and her new place is feeling like home.
A Practical Present for Philippa Pheasant
by Briony May Smith
In the heart of the woods, there’s a feisty character named Philippa Pheasant who lives near a charming village. Every day, like clockwork, she embarks on a daring adventure to Old Oak Road. Her mission? To feast on the juicy blackberries that grow on the other side. But there’s a problem – every afternoon, the peace is shattered by speeding vehicles that nearly flatten her into a pancake!
Philippa has had enough of this risky business. It’s time to take action! Hedgehog, her wise friend, suggests a brilliant idea: write a letter to the mayor. While Philippa eagerly awaits a response, something intriguing catches her eye: a lady in a bright yellow uniform has taken her stance in the middle of the road, and astonishingly, all the cars are coming to a halt!
This sight fills Philippa with inspiration. She decides to craft her very own eye-catching outfit, complete with a sign, to become Old Oak Road’s very own crossing guard. Her mission? To ensure the safety of all her critter friends as they venture across the road. It’s a heartwarming journey of determination, friendship, and making a positive change, one small crossing at a time. And the beautiful rural artwork in the book adds to the enchantment of this sweet tale.
by Briony May Smith
In this enchanting picture book tailor-made for all young mermaid enthusiasts, meet two inseparable friends: Merrin, a mermaid of the deep sea, and Molly, a human girl living on the land. Now, you might be wondering how these pals could ever meet since Merrin’s home is the underwater world. But there’s a special night known as the Mermaid Moon, when sea creatures gain the power to soar through the skies. This year, Merrin is finally old enough to participate in the adventure.
Together, Merrin and Molly embark on a thrilling journey to the Mermaid Moon festival. They relish delicious ice cream and take a whirl on a swing in Molly’s backyard. However, as the time draws near for Merrin to return to her underwater world, a tricky situation arises. Merrin finds herself stuck in a tree they had climbed together. If she can’t make it back home before the moon slips below the horizon, the magical Mermaid Moon’s essence will vanish from the Earth forever. The clock is ticking, and the fate of this extraordinary magic hangs in the balance.
by Briony May Smith
Meet a young girl with a big dream: she aspires to become a star. However, no matter what she does, whether it’s helping her mom find a lost wedding ring or competing in a fancy-dress contest, her older sister always seems to outshine her. But there’s someone who sees her as a star, and that’s her granddad.
As he wipes away her tears and they both gaze at the night sky, he shares a special story with her, the story of how the world began. He explains that every living thing, including us, is made from stardust and that we all have our unique ways of shining brightly. This lesson leaves a lasting impression on the little girl.
Years pass, and her dream of becoming an astronaut never fades. One day, her dream comes true as she reaches for the stars, just like she always wanted. It’s a heartwarming journey of self-discovery, reminding us that we all have our unique light to shine in the world.
by Briony May Smith
In a distant land, nestled beyond rolling hills, a spirited girl named Imelda resides near a mystical fairy forest. Like clockwork, she ventures into the heart of the forest each day to play with her enchanting fairy friends. But lurking in the shadowy depths of these ancient woods dwells the most sinister of creatures—the dreaded Goblin King!
One fateful day, the Goblin King commits a terrible act: he captures the beloved Fairy Queen, throwing the fairy realm into turmoil. In their hour of need, the fairies turn to Imelda for help, recognizing her courage and resourcefulness. Imelda swiftly hatches a brilliant plan to outsmart the Goblin King, a plan that involves transforming him into a humble worm and ridding the forest of his menace once and for all!
It’s a tale of bravery, magic, and cunning as Imelda steps up to the challenge to save her fairy friends and their precious queen from the clutches of the wicked Goblin King.
by Nell Gifford (Author), Briony May Smith (Illustrator)
Once upon a time, there was a spirited girl named Nell living on a farm. Her world changed when she struck up an unlikely friendship with a tiny chick. Little did she know, this charming encounter marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey, one that would transport her to a fantastical circus realm. But was it a real adventure or a creation of her vivid imagination? To this day, Nell remains uncertain.
As she steps into the tent of this dreamy circus, she’s greeted by a world that’s beyond her wildest dreams. The enchanting wonderland inside leaves her with a sense of awe and delight. The story is beautifully crafted by Nell Gifford, who happens to be the founder of Giffords Circus. And the stunning illustrations by Briony May Smith vividly bring the heart-stopping magic of the circus to the pages of this book.
With a luxurious, linen-like cover and elegant foil details, this hardback book is a perfect choice for gifting, making it a treasure for those who appreciate the enchantment of circuses and the boundless magic of the imagination.
by Elli Woollard (Author), Briony May Smith (Illustrator)
As summer fades into the cozy embrace of autumn, a spirited young goose begins to sense a shift in the air. It feels like she has a significant purpose ahead, but what could it be? The beavers are busy chopping wood, the squirrels diligently burying nuts in the ground, and the bears are constructing their dens for hibernation. Our plucky little goose tries to pitch in, but her efforts don’t quite hit the mark.
She soon realizes that her wings aren’t designed for chopping wood, burying food, or constructing dens like the other animals. They serve a much more magnificent purpose – they were meant for flight!
This is a beautiful, lyrical, and inspiring tale about discovering one’s unique talents and finding where you truly belong in the world. Written by Elli Woollard, a renowned picture book author, and complemented by the wonderful illustrations of Briony May Smith, whose artwork breathes life into an autumnal landscape of majestic mountains and enchanting forests with truly breathtaking beauty.
