Cass and the Beast

Claire Mabey is a children's writer with a background in publishing and multi-arts festivals. Author of two novels, she founded two literary festivals and writes about books for leading media. She lives in Wellington, New Zealand. Jill Calder is an award-winning illustrator based in Scotland. She studied at Edinburgh and Glasgow art schools and lectured at Edinburgh College of Art. Her prize-winning children's book illustrations include a shortlisting for the World Illustration Awards.

Cass and the Beast is a picture book that affirms the introverted, misunderstood or compassionate child who relishes an imaginative adventure or is brave enough to take risks in real life. Mabey has created a surreal tale of creatures from dreams and nightmares, and what it looks like when children choose not to be afraid. Jill Calder's illustrations have an expressionistic style. Her artwork is detailed yet loose, alternating between wordless and text-filled spreads. The free-flowing lines and layered textures increase the sense of wild motion throughout Cass's journey with the beast. Calder predominantly uses blue, accented with orange, purple and pink, creating a pulsating palette that suggests thrills and excitement and boosts the readers courage to explore the illustrations.