Grahame Baker-Smith, winner of the Kate Greenaway Prize talks to us about the future of books, reading and being curious. He is an inspiration to any would-be writer or illustrator. His books are unusual, thought provoking, moving and beautifully illustrated. FaRther is a very special book dealing with big themes through powerful dream-like imagery.

Grahame lives in Bath surrounded by his family. His studio is in the middle of it all with people, children and adults coming in and out with various comments on his work.

He spent a long time trying to find the 'illustrator's voice'. He has already had a long and successful career as an illustrator and it was his determination to master Photoshop that led him into this fantastic and brilliant element of his talent.

It was with Leon and the Place Between that Grahame finally realised the medium in which he best performed. The illustrations are intricate, dream-like and seem to change on each time of looking at them.

Leon was short-listed for the Kate Greenaway Prize 2010 and it was with FaRther, which was initially rejected by the Publishers for being too dark, that he has won this prize in 2011.

Grahame's is a story of determination and relisiance through the face of difficultly, and with the help of his family he has far exceeded his dreams. 

There are many more projects in the pipeline. He has the most infectious enthusiasm and excitement about his work. His is an example of living your dreams.

He still enjoys illustrating other works, and of the classics the one he would most like to try is Rapunzel. Read FaRther and you can imagine how his Rapunzel might look like. I can't wait.

There is no complaining about the state of books, or the power of the computer over the written word, he encourages us all to move with the present. Embrace the technology to access the past and interlink our lives and reading with the stories and fairy tales from the past.

His main tip would be to be curious. Look out at the world around you, open your eyes and try everything, you never know what you might find.

Buy FaRther from the Templar website now.