Rob Biddulph | |
|---|---|
 Biddulph in his studio, 2020 | |
| Born | 12 October 1972 London, England |
| Occupation |
|
| Education | Middlesex University |
| Genre | Children's books |
| Notable works |
|
| Spouse |
Ally Oliver (m. 2006) |
| Children | 3 |
| Website | |
| robbiddulph | |
Rob Biddulph is a British children's author and illustrator.
Biddulph was born on 12 October 1972 in Barnet, London. He attended Dame Alice Owen's School. He graduated with a BA(Hons) degree in Visual Communication and Design from Middlesex University in 1994
Before becoming an author and illustrator, he worked as an art director for The Observer Magazine, NME, Uncut, SKY Magazine and Just Seventeen.[1]
In 2014, he published his first picture book, Blown Away, about an intrepid blue penguin.[2] In 2015, he won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Blown Away. It was only the second picture book in history to win the prize.[3]
Several of his picture books have featured on the BBC television series CBeebies Bedtime Stories. Odd Dog Out was read by Tom Hardy in 2017, Blown Away was read by Mark Bonnar in 2017, GRRRRR! was read by Chris Kamara in 2019, Show and Tell was read by Rick Astley in 2019, and An Odd Dog Christmas was read by Tom Hardy in 2021.[4]
In 2021, he published his first middle-grade book, Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City, to critical acclaim.[5]
Biddulph was the official World Book Day illustrator between 2019 and 2021.[6]
In March 2020, Biddulph started the #DrawWithRob initiative. He began to upload a series of free, twice-weekly draw-along videos to help children looking for things to keep them occupied whilst stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an immediate hit, receiving millions of views worldwide, and became an important part of many children's lockdown experience.[7] On 20 May 2020, Biddulph broke the Guinness World Record for the largest ever online art class when 45,611 households joined him in drawing a blue whale via his YouTube channel. In the process, over £50,000 was raised for charity.[8] In recognition of the service he provided for thousands of children, he was named as a UK Point of Light by Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, in 2020, who said “As our country observed the toughest restrictions in living memory, you inspired the creative spirit of the nation with millions of families tuning in to your #DrawWithRob series and spending special time together honing their artistic skills."[9]
All of the #DrawWithRob videos are available to watch for free.[10]
Biddulph is married with three daughters, and lives in London.[20][21] He has a cocker spaniel called Ringo. He is a fan of Arsenal FC.
