Lloyd, Sam

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Lloyd, Sam

Personal

Born in Southport, England. Education: University of Brighton, degree (illustration).

Addresses

Home—Brighton, England.

Career

Illustrator and author of children's books.

Awards, Honors

British Booktrust Early Years Award for Pre-School, 2006, for Mr. Pusskins.

Writings

3, 2, 1, Bedtime, illustrated by Ben Cort, Little Tiger (London, England), 2003.

Yummy, Yummy! Food for My Tummy!, illustrated by Jack Tickle, Little Tiger (London, England), 2003, Tiger Tales (Wilton, CT), 2004.

SELF-ILLUSTRATED

This Alien Wears a Bra, Little Hippo (London, England), 2001.

What Colour Are Your Knickers?, Alligator Books (London, England), 2001, published as What Color Is Your Underwear?, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2003.

Super Sid: The Silly Sausage Dog, Little Tiger (London, England), 2003.

Happy Dog, Sad Dog, Good Books (Intercourse, PA), 2004.

Who's Tail?, Good Books (Intercourse, PA), 2004.

Farting Fred and the Dog Show, Running Press (Philadelphia, PA), 2004.

Trumpie Trevor, Chrysalis (London, England), 2006.

Grumpie Gertie, Chrysalis (London, England), 2006, published as Grumpy Gracie, Running Press (Philadelphia, PA), 2006.

Calm Down Boris!, 2006.

Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story, Atheneum (New York, NY), 2007.

Vincent the Vain,, 2007.

Mr. Pusskins and Little Whiskers: Another Love Story, 2008.

ILLUSTRATOR

Steve Mills and Hilary Koll, Mathswork, Wayland (Hove, England), 1999.

Sidelights

Sam Lloyd began her career as a children's book illustrator after studying at the University of Brighton. Her animated art and humorous tales, which are featured in books such as Grumpy Gracie, What Color Is Your Underwear?, Super Sid: The Silly Sausage Dog, and Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story, have been a hit with young readers both in her native England and the United States.

In Mr. Pusskins, Lloyd introduces readers to a curmudgeonly puss with a sense of mischief. Mr. Pusskins despises such ordinary cat-type activities as chasing after cat toys, and the cuddling and snuggling he receives from his human companion, Emily, is also something to be avoided. However, after sneaking out of the house one night in defiance of house rules, Mr. Pusskins gets a taste of real life as a stray on the streets while running with the local Pesky Cat Gang. Cold and hungry, he realizes that perhaps a bit of snuggling in exchange

for good food and a comfy lap is not so bad. The contrite kitty's change of heart is brought to life in Lloyd's "vigorous" art, noted Booklist critic Ilene Cooper, the reviewer adding that children "will also appreciate Pusskin's transformation and the happy ending." In School Library Journal, Linda Ludke observed that Lloyd's "humorous illustrations capture" the orange tabby "in all of his grouchy glory," while a Kirkus Reviews writer noted that the cartoon kitty's "google eyes and ornery expressions caricature the raucous and righteous behavior" of Lloyd's feisty but lovable feline."

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Booklist, November 1, 2006, Ilene Cooper, review of Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story, p. 52.

Kirkus Reviews, November 15, 2006, review of Mr. Pusskins, p. 1175.

Publishers Weekly, December 4, 2006, review of Mr. Pusskins, p. 57.

School Librarian, spring, 2004, Derek Lomas, review of 3, 2, 1, Bedtime, p. 19.

School Library Journal, July, 2004, Andrea Tarr, review of Yummy, Yummy! Food for My Tummy!, p. 81; January, 2007, Linda Ludke, review of Mr. Pusskins, p. 98.