Ailie Busby author page

Ailie Busby biography

Ailie Busby is a British illustrator renowned for her work in children’s picture books. She studied Graphic Design and later specialised in Illustration at Cambridge School of Art. After travelling around the world for a year, she moved to London to pursue a career as a freelance children’s book illustrator. She has since relocated to the North East of England, where she lives with her family.

Busby’s illustration style is characterised by the use of traditional media, including acrylic paint, pencils, and collage, often enhanced with digital techniques. Her work is influenced by vintage children’s books from the 1950s and 1960s, as well as patterns and colours from that era. She is best known for her colourful pre-school and novelty formats, creating engaging characters that resonate with young audiences.

Throughout her career, Busby has illustrated numerous books, including titles such as Feeling Great!, On the Go!, and Feeding Time!. She has also contributed to bilingual editions like On the Go!/¡A moverse! in the “Just Like Me” series. Her work has been recognised with accolades such as the 2024 Creative Play Awards’ Best Book for Children (0–5) and a finalist position in the 2021 Teach Early Years Awards.