Biography
Helen Craig is the joint creator, with Katharine Holabird, of the enduringly popular Angelina Ballerina books.
THE BASICS
Born: London, August 30th 1934
Jobs: Photographer’s apprentice, photographer, freelance potter and sculptor, children’s book illustrator, Chinese wallpaper restorer
Lives: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
First Book: A Number of Mice, 1978
THE BOOKS
Helen Craig was born in London but moved, with her family, to the country just ahead of the outbreak of World War Two. “The illustrations for the Angelina stories are based on my childhood memories,” Helen says, “when I lived in the country in a cottage with no electricity – just oil lamps and candles to light us to bed!”
Even as a child, Helen realised how important children’s books were to her. “I would almost enter the pictures and become so absorbed that I would wait, expecting the figures to ...
Interview
PLACE & DATE OF BIRTH:
London – 30.8.34
FAVOURITE BOOK:
Higglety Pigglety Pop! by Maurice Sendak
FAVOURITE SONG:
‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’
MOST TREASURED POSSESSION:
‘A crystal pendant that belonged to my great grandmother’
FAVOURITE FILM:
The Wrong Trousers
When did you start illustrating?
Although I loved drawing when I was a little girl and always wanted to be an artist of some sort – I was 40 years old before I had the courage to try and illustrate a children’s book. It takes a long time to produce a book and an even longer time before you start earning enough to live on. I had to work at another job to support myself and my young son and so I did my illustrating in the evenings and at the weekends. After a few years when I had enough books in print I was finally able to give up the job and work on illustration on...
Bibliography

- Angelina Ballerina 25th Anniversary Edition
- Puffin
- Paperback: Apr 03 2008
- 3 - 6 years

- Angelina Ballerina: Angelina's Birthday Surprise
- Ladybird
- Paperback: Mar 06 2008
- 5 - 7 years

- Angelina Ballerina: Angelina's Grand Performance
- Ladybird
- Paperback: Mar 06 2008
- 5 - 7 years

- Angelina Ballerina Invitation to the Ballet
- Puffin
- Paperback: May 31 2007
- 3 - 6 years

- All About Angelina
- Puffin
- Paperback: Oct 05 2006
- 3 - 7 years

- Angelina at the Palace
- Puffin
- Paperback: Jun 01 2006
- 3 - 7 years

- Angelina, Star of the Show
- Puffin
- Paperback: Jan 27 2005
- 3 - 5 years

- Angelina and Henry
- Puffin
- Paperback: Mar 27 2003
- 5 - 8 years

- Angelina's Christmas
- Puffin
- Paperback: Oct 03 2002
- 5 - 8 years

- Angelina's Ballet Class
- Puffin
- Paperback: Oct 03 2002
- 5 - 8 years

- Angelina's Halloween
- Puffin
- Paperback: Sep 05 2002
- 5 - 8 years

- Angelina and the Rag Doll
- Puffin
- Paperback: Jun 06 2002
- 3 - 5 years

- Dance with Angelina
- Puffin
- Paperback: Jun 06 2002
- 3 - 5 years

- Angelina Ice Skates
- Puffin
- Paperback: Aug 30 2001
- 3 - 5 years

- Angelina's Baby Sister
- Puffin
- Paperback: Aug 30 2001
- 3 - 5 years

- Angelina and Alice
- Puffin
- Paperback: Aug 30 2001
- 3 - 5 years

- Angelina on Stage
- Puffin
- Paperback: Aug 30 2001
- 3 - 5 years

- Angelina at the Fair
- Puffin
- Paperback: Aug 30 2001
- 3 - 5 years

- Angelina and the Princess
- Puffin
- Paperback: Aug 30 2001
- 3 - 5 years

- Angelina Ballerina
- Puffin
- Paperback: Aug 30 2001
- 3 - 5 years

- Angelina's Birthday
- Puffin
- Paperback: Aug 30 2001
- 3 - 5 years

- Angelina And the Princess
- Puffin
- Audio CD: Jul 06 2006
- 3 - 7 years

- Angelina and the Princess
- Puffin
- Paperback: Oct 02 2008
- 2 - 5 years

- Angelina Ballerina: Pop-up and Play Musical Theatre
- Puffin
- Paperback: Oct 02 2008
- 3 - 7 years

- Angelina's Birthday
- Puffin
- Cassette: Sep 07 2006
- 3 - 7 years

- Angelina On Stage
- Puffin
- Cassette: Feb 01 2007
- 3 - 7 years
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