Jo Empson author page

Jo Empson biography

Jo Empson is a children’s author and illustrator. She graduated from Cambridge School of Art with a Masters in Children’s Book Illustration. Her first author-illustrator picture book was Rabbityness, published by Child’s Play in 2012.

Rabbityness is a 32-page picture book for young children about Rabbit, who enjoys ordinary rabbit activities as well as painting and making music. The book explores creativity, individuality and loss through Rabbit’s disappearance and the gifts he leaves for his friends.

Rabbityness was nominated for eight awards and shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2013. Jo Empson was also nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal for two different books in two consecutive years.

Her other author-illustrator picture books include Never Ever, Chimpanzees for Tea!, Little Home Bird and Papa Loves You, Tiny Blue. Jungle Jamboree, written and illustrated by Jo Empson, was published by Puffin on 4 October 2018.