Sam McCullen studied at Cambridge School of Art, achieving a first class honours degree in Illustration and a Masters in Children’s Book Illustration.

His first children’s picture book, ‘Billy Back-To-Front’ was published by Hodder Children’s Books in 2006. About the book, American children’s book author and illustrator, Lane Smith says; ‘GREAT IS BOOK THIS! Kids will love Billy’s reverse wordplay and marvel at McCullen’s charming and intricate illustrations.’ Sam has also illustrated children’s books by Julia Donaldson and Ian Whybrow.

Whilst studying in Cambridge, he received a Highly Commended in the ‘Macmillan Prize for Children’s Picture Book Illustration’ and won ‘The Orchard Books Prize’ for the most promising graduate for children’s book illustration. In 2004, he received a ‘Young Creatives’ Network Design & Communication Award’ and a ‘Rocket’, (an award for emerging creative excellence). His illustrations for a Leo Burnett poster campaign received a Silver, Bronze and Merit in ‘The Kam Fan Awards 2006’ and were finalists in the ‘London International Advertising Awards 2007’. The posters also featured in Lürzer's Archive’, a unique review dedicated to presenting the best new print campaigns and TV commercials from around the world. In 2008, he was longlisted for ‘The Big Picture - Best New Illustrators Award’, an initiative set up by Booktrust and championed by Children's Laureate, Michael Rosen.

Clients include: Hodder Children’s Books, HarperCollins Publishers, Oxford University Press, Campbell Books, Leo Burnett, BBC, Inferno, HIT Entertainment, The Milk Development Council, The School Milk Project.

Represented by:

Penny Holroyde, Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency,
70-75 Cowcross Street,
London
EC1M 6EJ - tel +44 (0)20 7336 6550 - pennyholroyde@carolinesheldon.co.uk