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Our Resident Frogmouths and Australia Day Holiday, 2003 (Kids’ Night In)
Andrew and Janet McLean live in Melbourne, Australia and create picture books for children together.
Andrew was born in Victoria, Australia, the youngest of three boys, with eight years between each of them. His brothers left home to work in the city, so he was an only child for much of the time. His oldest brother John often did little drawings to illustrate his letters and introduced Andrew to some of his favourite artists such as Edward Ardizzone.
Andrew enjoyed climbing out of his bedroom window at night and walking along the roof, from where he had a whole view of the town. He once watched an entire police car chase, all around and through the town.
He lived across the road from the high school and despite this was always late, probably because he didn’t enjoy it much there. However he loved Art School and worked as a teacher for five years before becoming a full-time artist and illustrator.
He met his wife Janet at an all- night beach party in 1969 and they’ve been together ever since. After all three of their children were born, they needed work which fitted in with family life. The first books were created on the kitchen table which led to a few disasters!
The story ideas came from things that have happened to them as a family, at home, on holiday, their pets, their friends…
Andrew and Janet have received Honour Book Awards from the Children’s Book Council of Australia, for The Riverboat Crew, Hector and Maggie, Dog Tales and Josh.
In 2001, Andrew was awarded a Centenary Medal for his contribution to children’s book illustration in Australia
Our Resident Frogmouths and Australia Day Holiday, 2003 (Kids’ Night In)
Andrew and Janet McLean live in Melbourne, Australia and create picture books for children together.
Andrew was born in Victoria, Australia, the youngest of three boys, with eight years between each of them. His brothers left home to work in the city, so he was an only child for much of the time. His oldest brother John often did little drawings to illustrate his letters and introduced Andrew to some of his favourite artists such as Edward Ardizzone.
Andrew enjoyed climbing out of his bedroom window at night and walking along the roof, from where he had a whole view of the town. He once watched an entire police car chase, all around and through the town.
He lived across the road from the high school and despite this was always late, probably because he didn’t enjoy it much there. However he loved Art School and worked as a teacher for five years before becoming a full-time artist and illustrator.
He met his wife Janet at an all- night beach party in 1969 and they’ve been together ever since. After all three of their children were born, they needed work which fitted in with family life. The first books were created on the kitchen table which led to a few disasters!
The story ideas came from things that have happened to them as a family, at home, on holiday, their pets, their friends…
Andrew and Janet have received Honour Book Awards from the Children’s Book Council of Australia, for The Riverboat Crew, Hector and Maggie, Dog Tales and Josh.
In 2001, Andrew was awarded a Centenary Medal for his contribution to children’s book illustration in Australia
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