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Budgen and Eccheveri picked to illustrate cancer sufferer’s picture book
Cancer sufferer Lisa Wells has chosen illustrators Tim Budgen and Catalina Echeverri to work on There’s Only One of Me, her picture book about the death of a parent.
Wells (pictured) is putting the book together to read with her daughters before she dies, as well as to help other parents in the same position. The text has been written by picture book author Michelle Robinson and will be published by Welsh independent Graffeg. It will be printed by UK book binder CPI Antony Rowe of Melksham.
Robinson announced the choice of illustrators on her blog, saying: “Special thanks to each and every illustrator who got in touch to offer their time and expertise to bring Only One Of Me to life. We considered every submission, of which there were hundreds.”
Budgen and Echeverri sent their submissions in early and both showed “love and goodwill in spades”, said Robinson. “Tim and Catalina will be burning the midnight oil to get this done. They will doubtless have times of frustration and anxiety, not to mention jaundice from not seeing daylight, severe wrist cramp and stiff necks! I’ll be mopping their brows, sending coffee and basically cheering them along. I hope you’ll join me in sending them your love and encouragement along the way.”
Two versions of the book will be produced - one for mums and one for dads - and the team are still deciding on whether to do one set of artwork or two, she added.
Budgen is represented by Plum Pudding Illustration Agency and has illustrated titles for Pat-a-Cake, part of the Hachette Children’s Group, Little Tiger Press and ABRSM. Echeverri is also represented by Plum and has worked on picture books for Bloomsbury Children’s, HarperCollins US and Maverick Arts Publishing.
Wells was diagnosed with terminal bowel and liver cancer aged 32 in 2017 after the birth of her second child. Her doctors suggest she has between two and 12 months to live.
For more information about Lisa’s story and the chance to donate visit the crowdfunding page on JustGiving.com.
