Liz Pichon

Liz Pichon (born 15 August 1963) is a British author and illustrator of children's books. She is best known for her Tom Gates series of "satirical realist comedy fiction", which has sold 16.5 million copies and has been translated into 44 languages across 47 international markets.

Early life
Liz Pichon was born on 15 August 1963 in London, England. She is the daughter of Francis and Joan Pichon. She received a BA in graphic design at the Camberwell School of Art. Her first job was as an art director for the music label Jive Records, a position she held between 1987 and 1990.

Books
Her best-selling and multi-award-winning Tom Gates series was first published in 2011. There are currently 21 books in the Tom Gates series, as well as a special £1 book produced for World Book Day in 2013, a Tom Gates Annual, a Tom Gates Activity Book and a Tom Gates Music Book.

Shoe Wars, Pichon's new middle-grade title, was published in October 2020 during lockdown and has sold 95000 copies to date.

Events
In 2016 Pichon created the "Kids' Tapestry", a children's version of the Bayeux Tapestry, featuring historical events to the mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.

In 2017 Pichon, Horsenden Primary School and her publisher, Scholastic Children's Books, broke the Guinness World Record for the largest disco dance.

Personal life
Pichon is dyslexic. In 1990, she married Mark Flannery and they have three children: one son and two daughters. They currently live in Brighton.

Outside of Tom Gates

 * My Big Brother, Boris (Scholastic, 2004)
 * Bored Bill (Little Tiger, 2015)
 * Penguins (London: Gullane Children's Books, 2008)
 * The Three Horrid Pigs and the Big Friendly Wolf (Little Tiger, 2008); US title, The Three Horrid Little Pigs (Tiger Tales, 2008)
 * Shoe Wars (Scholastic UK, 2020)

As illustrator only (selected)

 * Twilight Rhymes Moonlight Verse, compiled by Mary Joslin (Oxford: Lion Children's Books, 1997)
 * Spinderella, written by Julia Donaldson (Egmont UK, 2002)
 * Beautiful Bananas, Elizabeth Laird (Oxford, 2003)
 * The Three Billy Goats Fluff, Rachael Mortimer (Hodder Children's Books, 2010)
 * Red Riding Hood and the Sweet Little Wolf, Rachael Mortimer (Hodder, 2012)

Tom Gates series

 * The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (2011)
 * Tom Gates: Excellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff) (2011)
 * Tom Gates: Everything's Amazing (Sort Of) (2011)
 * Tom Gates: Genius Ideas (Mostly) (2012)
 * Tom Gates Is Absolutely Fantastic (at Some Things) (2013)
 * Tom Gates: Best Book Day Ever! (so far) (2013)
 * Tom Gates: Extra Special Treats (not) (2013)
 * Tom Gates: A Tiny Bit Lucky (2014)
 * Tom Gates: Yes! No (Maybe... ) (2015)
 * Tom Gates: Top of the Class (Nearly) (2015)
 * Tom Gates: Super Good Skills (Almost...) (2016)
 * Tom Gates: DogZombies Rule (For Now) (2016)
 * Tom Gates: Family, Friends and Furry Creatures (2017)
 * Tom Gates: Epic Adventure (kind of) (2017)
 * Tom Gates: Totally Brilliant Annual (2017)
 * Tom Gates: Biscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans (2018)
 * Tom Gates: What Monster? (2018)
 * Tom Gates: Mega Make and Do (and Stories Too!) (2019)
 * Tom Gates: Spectacular School Trip (really!) (2019)
 * Tom Gates: Ten Tremendous Tales (2021)
 * Tom Gates: Random Acts Of Fun (2021)
 * Tom Gates: Happy To Help (2022)
 * Tom Gates: Five Star Stories (2023)

Awards

 * 1998 National Parenting Publications Award, Twilight Rhymes Moonlight Verse, poetry compiled by Mary Joslin and illustrated by Pichon, 1997
 * Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011
 * Red House Children's Book Award 2012
 * Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2012 for Best Fiction for 5-12 Year Olds
 * Blue Peter Award for Best Story 2013
 * Winner - The LOLLIES Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 9-13 2018 - Tom Gates Epic Adventures (Kind Of)

Runner-up:


 * 2004: Silver Award, Nestlé Smarties Book Prize (0–5 years), My Big Brother Boris
 * 2012: Finalist, Red House Children's Book Award and the Stockport Schools Book Award, The Three Horrid Pigs and the Big Friendly Wolf
 * 2012: Shortlisted for the Specasvers National Book Awards Children's Book of the Year, Genius Ideas (Mostly)

The Brilliant World Of Tom Gates - TV SHOW - BAFTA SCOTLAND 2021 Award - WINNER Best Entertainment

Writers: Ben Ward, Liz Pichon.

BRITISH ANIMATION AWARDS: Children's Choice Award

SHOE WARS - WINNER 2022 (SPAIN) FESTILIJC3 Torre del Agua Translation By Daniel Cortes Coronas

Promotional Highlights
2017 GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for THE LARGEST DISCO DANCE

2017 CAMP BESTIVAL – Liz live on stage. Holds the record for their longest signing queue ever!

2017 Liz promotes Tom Gates in a specially designed BIG FURRY London Taxi

2018  The spectacular BISCUITS, BANDS & VERY BIG PLANS coach tours the UK

2022  Liz attends signings and events in an amazing adapted camper van

Liz on TV
Pointless  +  BBC Breakfast  +  Celebrity Portrait Artist of the Year  +  Steph’s Packed Lunch  +  Sunday Brunch  +  Blue Peter  +  Newsround

Adaptions
2019 TOM GATES LIVE Stage adaptation (co-written by Liz and Neal Foster of Birmingham Stage Company) tours the UK

2020 Liz & Mark launch their TREMENDOUS TALES podcast

2021 TOM GATES THE ALBUM is released featuring songs from Tom Gates written by Liz & Mark

2021 THE BRILLIANT WORLD OF TOM GATES TV adaptation launches on Sky Kids, with Liz co-writing and presenting. Innovative mix of animation, songs and creative makes & draws. Third series launched January 2024. Awards: Scottish BAFTA; British Animation Awards Children’s Choice; Kidscreen Best Mixed Media series.

2024 TOM GATES feature film in development

Liz also designed the 2022 and 2023 Children in Need T-shirts for the BBC which have been the most successful T-shirts in the charity’s history.