Illustration for The School Magazine Launchpad for a lovely poem by Helen Zax.
This is a just for fun Study Sketch based on John Singer Sargent’s portrait of Beatrice Townsend. She had so much attitude I thought she should be holding a dragonet.
Sneak Peek of an illustration created for The School Magazine for a lovely poem by Stephen Whiteside.
by Trudie Trewin and illustrated by me.
Marley and Moses lived in a place where the heat crept up and smothered the days in stifling stillness. And stayed and stayed.
A captivating story of a searing Australian summer and waiting for the welcome relief of rain.
CBCA Book of the Year—Notable 2023
ISBN: 978-1-74383-740-5
Scholastic Australia
This is just a bit of fun created for the “draw in your own style” #PortraitChallenge. The original portrait of “Miss Mary MacIntosh” is by Randolph Hewton. I’m calling my version “Portrait of a Pile of Puppies”.
by Trudie Trewin and illustrated by me.
Marley and Moses lived in a place where the heat crept up and smothered the days in stifling stillness. And stayed and stayed.
A captivating story of a searing Australian summer and waiting for the welcome relief of rain.
CBCA Book of the Year—Notable 2023
ISBN: 978-1-74383-740-5
Scholastic Australia
Happy as a Mouse in Paint!
Sneak Peek of a personal project work in progress.
Sneak peek of an illustration created for The School Magazine for a gorgeous poem by Stephen Whiteside.
This is a fun character study for a project that I’m developing.
This was a just for fun study of Las Meninas…with a little narrative twist!
Written by Deborah Abela
Illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
ISBN 978-1-760651-51-0
Bear is different. When he dreams of going into space, the other bears laugh. In space he feels at home, but also alone, until something extraordinary happens.
A story about finding friendship in the most unusual places.
Walker Books
Written by Klay and Mark Lamprell
Illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
ISBN 978-1-74299-410-9
Huberta likes to surprise everyone! But when the truck that is supposed to take her to a new zoo breaks down, Huberta decides to make her own way there.
It will be the best surprise yet!
Scholastic Australia
Written by Frances Watts Illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
ISBN 978-1-76066-404-6
Maxwell Mouse the photographer is trying to take school photos at South Furriest Public School. But some students just won’t stay still. And others won’t look at the camera!
Can Maxwell get all of the students to Say Cheese?
Scholastic Australia
A Bunch of Bears from ‘Bear in Space’
This was a just for fun study of Prince Baltasar Carlos on Horseback by Velazquez, Diego Rodriguez de Silva y … with a bit of a twist.
Dinosaur kids from ‘Dinosaur Dads’
Just a couple of work in progress images for The Boy in the Big Blue Glasses!
Poster for Marian Street Theatre production of The Velveteen Rabbit.
Front cover image for The School Magazine April 2018 issue of Touchdown.
This one was just for fun. I readcomment on a photo of a pig which said, "The pig looks so surprised that someone would stop to take his photo". For some reason that sparked this image. I really enjoyed playing with this colour palette.
Work in Progress
Written by Phillip Gwynne for Penguin Random House Australia.
Tapir lives in the jungle.
Pig lives in the village.
But when they meet at the waterhole, they discover they are the same in so many ways.
They might even be brothers from a different mother!
From a master storyteller comes this heartfelt tale of friendship . . . and seeing past our differences.
Watch a sneak peek book trailer HERE!
This is a practice sketch and character exploration for a new book.
Mrs Dog was once a working farm dog, but now she is old and only chases shadows. Until one day, a tiny orphan comes into her life...
Written by Janeen Brian for The Five Mile Press (an imprint of Bonnier Publishing)
ISBN 978-1-76006-645-1
Reviews:
"Unlikely friendships, inter-generational bonds, courage, tenacity and adapting to change all feature as the themes in this heart-rending tale of an old farm dog and a little stray lamb. [...] What follows is an agonising clutch at survival, depicted by mind-blowing perspectives and life-altering moments of bravery and determination. Where the ultimate favour of a life saved is returned, we are literally taken from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs. Janeen Brian brilliantly ties all the elements neatly together in a touching and uplifting ending.
With beautifully soft, textured quality and warming, earthy tones, the illustrations by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall perfectly complement the authentic, homely and wholesome nature of this humble narrative and endearing characters.
Mrs Dog is a timeless tale of love and generosity that young and old readers can share and treasure in their hearts for many generations to come."
— Reviewed by Romi Sharp for Reading Time
"Brian’s exquisite use of language is the beating heart of this gorgeous picture book and conveys a story that will bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your heart. Crosby-Fairall’s illustrations are equally divine. The alternating use of perspective shifts the reader seamlessly from merely being an observer to Mrs Dog’s, the Tall-Ones’ and of course adorable little Baa-rah’s point-of-view. A simple tale of devotion, love and loyalty possessing all the best bits of Babe but stunning and memorable in
its own right. Highly recommended and not just because Mrs Dog is a beautiful Collie."
— Reviewed by Boomerang Blog
"Many themes are plaited through this moving story of renewal and second chances. They are the longing to be useful and needed; to love and be loved, regardless of age.
The illustrations are magnificent. They display the gentleness, compassion and the incredible bond between the animals. This produces a feeling of serenity that emanates from the page.
The stunning cover is the drawcard for this book. But the interest won’t stop there. Collectors of extraordinary picture books will surely add this to their shelves."
— Reviewed by Susan Whelan of Kids' Book Review
Written by Phillip Gwynne for Penguin Random House Australia.
Tapir lives in the jungle.
Pig lives in the village.
But when they meet at the waterhole, they discover they are the same in so many ways.
They might even be brothers from a different mother!
From a master storyteller comes this heartfelt tale of friendship . . . and seeing past our differences.
Watch a sneak peek book trailer HERE!
An Australian reimagining of Edward Lear's nonsense poem The Owl and the Pussycat. The Croc and the Platypus trundled off in a rusty old Holden ute. They took some damper and tea in a hamper and bundled it up in the boot. Join Croc and Platypus for an Australian outback hullabaloo!
Written by Jackie Hosking for Walker Books Australia
ISBN: 9781922077608
Award:
Shortlisted Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year
Review:
The poem, complemented by the exuberant illustrations, celebrates the joys of picnics, road trips and camping in remote places. Marjorie Crosby-Fairall, American by birth but now living in Sydney, manifests her love of Australian images in her pictures. Using acrylic paints and coloured pencils she communicates the vastness of earth and sky, the characters’ vivid facial expressions and body language, and the textures of objects such as the utility truck, hamper, fleece and didgeridoo.
This picture book is highly recommended for young children both for its appealing verse and the excellence of the illustration and design.
—Lyn Linning, Magpies
Written by Phillip Gwynne for Penguin Random House Australia.
Tapir lives in the jungle.
Pig lives in the village.
But when they meet at the waterhole, they discover they are the same in so many ways.
They might even be brothers from a different mother!
From a master storyteller comes this heartfelt tale of friendship . . . and seeing past our differences.
Watch a sneak peek book trailer HERE!
Killer Plants provides an introduction to the world of carnivorous plants and how to grow them.
Written by Gordon Cheers and Julie Silk for Puffin Books an imprint of Penguin Books Australia
ISBN 0 14 054801 7
Awards:
It was awarded the CBCA Eve Pownall Award for Information Books. It also appears on the NSW and Victoria Premier’s Reading Challenge Lists for years 3-4.
Written by Phillip Gwynne for Penguin Random House Australia.
Tapir lives in the jungle.
Pig lives in the village.
But when they meet at the waterhole, they discover they are the same in so many ways.
They might even be brothers from a different mother!
From a master storyteller comes this heartfelt tale of friendship . . . and seeing past our differences.
Watch a sneak peek book trailer HERE!
"Such dazzle-dazzle green and blue, even flowers envy you..."
"Peacock" poem by Beverly McLoughland published in The School Magazine, Blast Off, Issue 4 May 2015.
One of a series of posters for the Marian Street Theatre for Young People.
"Toot toot! Join the classic adventure with Ratty, Mole, Badger and the naughty Weasels who want to take over Toad Hall. Help Ratty and Mole save eccentric and boastful Toad from himself in a new, fast paced, fun production of Kenneth Grahame’s immortal story of life on the riverbank."
