Books to Read Aloud - Bob Graham
An Award-Winning Writer/Illustrator of Family-Themed Picture Books
Oct 18, 2008
Bob Graham has a gift for taking small moments in the lives of young families and turning them into something magical. He writes stories filled with innocence and wonder that leave the reader with a warm, contented feeling and an urge to read the story again.
Bob Graham's Biography
Born in Australia in 1942, Graham grew up in Beverly Hills, Sydney. He lived with his parents, grandmother and sister Rosie and had a passion for reading and comic books. According to Shelley Blakely and Belinda Gamlen in A Guide to the Papers and Artwork of Bob Graham, The Lu Rees Archives, 2006, he studied at the Julian Ashton Art School, where he met his wife Carolyn.
His first paid position as an artist was for the NSW Government, designing publications and drawing pictures of Santa Claus for lottery tickets. In 1981, William Collins published Graham's first picture book, titled Pete and Roland. Since then he has gone on to publish more than thirty picture books, many of which have become award-winners. He also indulged his love of the comic book form by writing a monthly comic strip for the French magazine, Belle Histoires.
Books About Families
Many of Graham's books are a celebration of families. He creates families that are outside the norm, with delightful idiosyncrasies, and infuses their stories with the joy of acceptance and love.
- Max - Walker Books, 2000. When your parents are superheroes, there is a lot to live up to. Will Max learn to 'hurtle and swoop' and become a superhero like his parents?
- Greetings From Sandy Beach - Lothian Books, 1990. The family holiday looks set to be ruined when the beach is taken over by a busload of school kids and the Disciples of Death. But first impressions can be deceiving.
- Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child - Walker Books, 2004. What do you do if a family of fairies crashes their ice-cream truck next to your backyard? Annabelle decides to invite them to afternoon tea. A story about taking the time to notice the small wonders in life.
- Grandad's Magic - Walker Books, 1990. Grandad is full of clever tricks, but will he go too far? A joyful story to keep you on the edge of your seat.
- Crusher is Coming - Lothian Books, 2000. Crusher is a football hero and he's coming over to play. What will happen when Peter's baby sister brings out her tea set?
- Dimity Dumpty - Walker Books, 2008. Humpty's little sister is a shy little egg, never performing with her family in the travelling circus. Can she find the courage to help her brother when he falls from the factory wall?
Books About Animals
Animals play a huge part in children's lives. They provide companionship, teach compassion and are perfect role models of unconditional love. Graham's love of animals shines through many of his books, from his gentle superhero Max who rescues spiders from the bathtub to the loved pets in the stories below.
- How to Heal a Broken Wing - Walker Books, 2008. Once again, Graham illustrates the kindness of children in this story of a boy and an injured bird.
- Let's Get a Pup! - Walker books, 2003. It's been lonely at the end of Kate's bed since Tiger died. Now that's about to change. The Rescue Centre has so many dogs. How will Kate and her family choose the right one?
- The Trouble with Dogs! - Walker Books, 2007. Sequel to Let's Get a Pup! Dave is a much-loved part of the family but will this puppy ever learn to behave?
- Buffy: An Adventure Story - Walker Books, 1996. The delightful story of a magician's dog who is too good at her job. After upstaging her owner one too many times, Buffy finds herself looking for a new home.
- Queenie the Bantam - Walker Books, 2008. Every day, Queenie walks from her farm to lay an egg for the family who rescued her from drowning.
Bob Graham has won many prestigious awards for his picture books including the Smarties Gold Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal for illustrations. He has won Book of the Year five times from the Children’s Book Council of Australia.
For more great Australian picture books read The Picture Books of Margaret Wild.
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