My very first picture book was the charming ‘Tulip and Doug’ by Emma Wood, who writes quirky, humorous stories for children.

Because it was my first foray into illustrating children’s books, it took a long time with a lot of experimentation. The illustrations (plus title and other interior lettering) were all hand-drawn in pen and ink, then taken into Photoshop for the final touches.

Some of my favourite moments: drawing the first Doug characters with a real wrinkly old potato as reference, the beautifully hand felted Tulip doll made for me by a friend (holding her very own mini Doug), and the box of newly published books arriving on my doorstep from Scholastic – what a thrill.

When it was first published in 2020, ‘Tulip and Doug’ made headlines when our prime minister Jacinda Ardern gifted it to Prince William, describing it as one of her favourite children’s books!

In 2023 the spud-tacular sequel ‘Tulip and Sprout: A Growing Friendship’ was released, starring our heroes Tulip and Max and their curiously quirky companion – a rock called Susan!

Tulip, Max and Susan loved creating coded messages, unearthing precious treasures and practising their hide-and-seek skills on Tunnel Mountain. When Max and Susan head away on holiday, Tulip and her dad go on an expedition to the jungle. What will Tulip discover there … could it be her lost friend Doug? 

PRESS & VIDEOS

Emma Wood talks about ‘Tulip and Sprout’
‘Tulip and Doug’ given to prince by PM
Kids talk about books – ‘Tulip and Doug’
Interview with Emma Wood and Carla Martell