Every child likes to look at the pictures in a book. It’s something about the images that catch a young child’s eye. From bright colourful tones to darker tones it’s amazing to the little one when they see child-friendly books for their exploration.International award-winning children’s illustrator Lisa Fox, who is the artist of Bermudian author Geoff Parker’s “Happy as a Fox”, is visiting the Island this week to promote the book. Author and illustrator will be signing books on Saturday at Brown & Co. from 11am to 2pm and Bermuda Craft Market on Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. Lisa lives in Conwy, North Wales and doesn’t live far from the popular Conwy Castle in North Wales, UK.Born in Shropshire, in western England, Ms Fox was often recognised for her artistic skills from the young age of six. Ms Fox said: “It’s within me and I have to do it. I go crazy if I’m not doing it and have been doing it since six or seven years old.”The illustrator created the pictures of “Happy as a Fox” with traditional painting. She said: “I have now moved into the digital with a digital drawing pad. The inspiration obviously comes from the author. Geoff sends me the text and I look at it and I see it as I’m reading the words.”Ms Fox studied art at Brighton Polytechnic and was inspired by the illustrations in the hallways of Raymond Briggs, creator and illustrator of “The Snowman”. Lisa has a background in graphic design and worked long term as a graphic designer with clients such as the National Trust. Her dream of illustration never burned out and in 2006 she returned back to school and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in Illustration for Children’s Publishing.Ms Fox encourages people who are interested in illustration to never give up. She said: “Keep trying, keep drawing and believe in yourself. It took me 11 years to do my first book and actually get it published. I was nearly 40 when I did my first British book.”Author Geoff Parker expressed that he is very pleased with his connection and work with Lisa. He said: “I went through the files of 100 top UK illustrators to find ten that could provide a “traditional style”. From those ten, I communicated with each and determined that I could work with her as she was and is similar in spirit. She tells it like it is and tells me what I need to know not what I necessarily want to hear!“Being a complete amateur, at that time in 2009, I had a very steep learning curve and she was there for me all the way. Working with Lisa is very professional, one can’t waste any time and one has to put in the time to meet the deadlines. We both love the characters that I developed and my stories are fresh and different.“Lisa’s artwork enhances the story and brings it to life through the pictures ... that’s her job and she does it amazingly well!”“Happy as a Fox” is Mr Parker’s second book and the artist will also be doing research during her visit to look for scenes for the author’s upcoming third book “Happy and the Great Hurricane”, which is planned to give a Bermudian feel and be released next year. “Happy as a Fox” is available for purchase at the Bermuda Book Store for $20 and Bookmart @ Brown & Co for $19.99.Useful website: http://www.lisafox.co.uk/