Ruth Brown

As a child

I was born in Devon where my mum and sister spent the war years. In 1947, we went to live in Germany where my father was employed by the Control Commission. It was an early childhood of extreme contrasts – the freedom of my first five years in the country and then the contrast of post-war Germany. The cottage, the garden and surrounding country were one big fascinating playground which has stayed with me always. Our life in Germany was the opposite – ex-pats, big houses, servants, chauffeurs, etc. I returned to England as a teenager and attended Bournemouth School for Girls – the biggest shock of all!

As an adult

I studied at Bournemouth College of Art (having escaped the grammar school at sixteen), then Birmingham College of Art and the Royal College of Art between 1961 and 1964, an extremely fun time to be there. After graduating I married fellow student Ken Brown and had a son (Hogan, born 1966). I worked as a freelance illustrator mostly for children's TV and began reading children's books. After our second son arrived (James, born 1972) I was inspired by my friend Pat Hutchins to try and write. I was extremely fortunate and had my first book published in 1979.

As an artist

I have three people in mind when I write and illustrate a book: me as a child; me as a young mum (at the end of a busy day) reading a bedtime story; and me now. A book has to interest the child I was. It has to be short but intelligently written to keep the adult reader interested, it has to be able to be read by a seven year old, it has to have enough in the illustrations to interest a non-reader and it has to sustain my enthusiasm for the months that I'm working on it.

Things you didn't know about Ruth Brown

1. I'm not very good at spelling.
2. As a child at school, I was always told off for talking too much.
3. I have a grandson, Charlie Brown, and we have great water fights.
4. I like all animals but I prefer that some stay outside. Spiders, for example.
5. When I lived in Germany, as a child, I broadcast on the school's radio.
6. I like swimming and walking along the beach.
7. My favourite colour is blue.
8. My favourite book is Treasure Island.
9. My favourite walk is by the sea – anywhere, any weather.
10. I hate having my photograph taken.