Julian Shreeve Author & Illustrator
Local author and illustrator Julian Shreeve writes, illustrates, and self-publishes rhyming picture books detailing the adventures of Montgomery Frog and his best friend Tiberius Toad. They are perfect-paperback format and are very popular locally. He is often asked to do readings of the books in local primary schools, which he accept, of course! Look out for a great range of exciting titles and fun characters, why not collect and read them all.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/montyfrog/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/montyfrog/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/montyfrog/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/montyfrog/
Interview With An Author
Name/Business:
Julian Shreeve: Montgomery Frog Books
Describe your art/craft?
I write and illustrate children’s rhyming picture books, which detail the adventures of Montgomery Frog and his best friend, Tiberius Toad. I self-publish the books, which are very high quality, fully laminated, Perfect Paperback. They are suitable for children from very young to around 9 years old. This is proven by the age range of existing Montgomery Frog fans. My books have been used for educational purposes in primary schools (verse is a very useful way to learn and remember things) and my illustrations are often complimented on their detail, expression and vibrant colours. I have often been requested to do readings in local primary schools, which I have always accepted. Possibly the most memorable was a reading at the Oulton Primary School, Lowestoft, on World Book Day, when I read one of my books to an assembly of around 400 children, which went down a storm. I read a book called, ‘Montgomery Frog and the French Frog Fryer’, which is the story of how Montgomery Frog and Tiberius Toad fly to France (aboard Dan Duck) to rescue some snails and frogs from the evil Pierre Le Chef, who plans to serve them to the diners in his restaurant.
How long have you been creating? How did you learn your craft or were you self-taught?
It all started for me in 2016. I was having a conversation with a work colleague, who informed me that he was writing a children’s book for his niece. I thought to myself, I’d like a crack at that, and started to pen my first Montgomery Frog adventure; ‘Montgomery Frog’s Fierce Fish Adventure’. I found it really helped me to write the story in rhyme, which has been my method for each and every book since then.
After writing a few adventures, I would ask various work colleagues to take them home and read them to their young relatives, and then give me some feedback. Invariably, I was told the kids loved the stories, but asked where the pictures were. This led me to begin illustrating my stories, which is something I enjoy immensely. Having written many stories, and illustrated my first one, I thought, why not self-publish my books and get them out there for the kids to enjoy?
I loved English and Art at school and, at 52 years old in 2016, I found myself using the skills I had learned so many years before. Now, after five years, I find myself with many books published and I have the satisfaction of knowing that hundreds of my books are out there, bringing lots of pleasure to a great many children. Isn’t that great?!
What are your favourite art/craft 'tools of the trade'?
I often write my stories, while sitting on my patio, enjoying the sun, with a simple notebook and pen. Sometimes, I’ll have a pencil, eraser, and some plain paper, to sketch any character ideas that I may have. My stories are typed into the WORD software on my computer, to make them presentable for delivery to the printing/publishing company. The illustrations are completed by using art software and a tablet, which allow me to create and develop my characters and scenes, with a pen, instead of a canvass and paintbrush. As I draw and paint with the pen on the tablet, the image is created on the screen of my laptop.
Where is your creative space?
I do have a small third bedroom at home, which is supposed to be my study. However, to my wife’s frustration, I am always working while seated at the dining room table, next to the window. I am also a keen gardener, with a well planted garden, which includes an ornamental fish pond. Often, I pause from my work to stare out of the window, at our lovely garden. Working at the dining room table also makes it very easy for me to just stroll out into the garden for inspiration. My fascination with ponds, and the creatures that dwell there, is where my book ideas have come from. I even have a cameo role in my book; ‘Montgomery Frog’s Koi Carp Calamity’.
What do you watch or listen to when you're creating?
The television is always on, while I’m busy creating. I like to have some background noise, but rarely pay too much attention to what’s actually happening on the screen. However, with the recent Olympic Games, I have often found myself pausing to enjoy some of that spectacle.
What's your best-selling product?
My very first book, ‘Montgomery Frog’s Fierce Fish Adventure’, is my best-selling product. I was working at a Power Station when I published the book (I’m now retired) so I had a huge market in the many people that worked there. The company I worked for also bought many of the books, to give to local primary schools. We also had a day when I was at the Visitor’s Centre and schoolchildren were brought in by bus, to hear this story. That was a great day. On top of this, when I get new customers, some will ask for a full set of my books, which means yet more copies of this first book are sold. Most importantly of all; this first book details how Montgomery Frog and Tiberius Toad first met and became friends.
Favourite thing you’ve ever created? Do you still have it, or did you sell/gift it?
My favourite book is Montgomery Frog and the Moon-Bound Martian. I think it is my funniest book and equally suitable for boys or girls.
Random fact about yourself?
Many of my book ideas come from just sitting in our garden, watching the wildlife. For example, one sunny day, I sat and watched flying ants departing from our garden, to start new nests elsewhere. I watched as first one, and then two, and then three dragonflies patrolled the sky, picking off the ants in mid-air. Many ants, on seeing the approaching dragonflies, would fold their wings and drop from the air. This led to me writing a story entitled ‘Montgomery Frog and the Dreaded Dragonflies’.
What new craft would you love to try?
It would be brilliant to create an animated cartoon of Montgomery Frog. That would be a dream come true.
Where can customers buy your products?
I am in attendance at all of the Southwold Craft Fairs, with the exception of October. I also have a Facebook Account and a Facebook Page. Just search for Montgomery Frog. As well as in person, books can be purchased by Bank Transfer and post. I can be emailed at [email protected]
Give a shout-out to a fellow artist or crafter you admire!
I admire anyone who can create something from their own imagination. I particularly admire the artists who produce beautiful paintings on canvas. Not one in particular, but all of them.
Name/Business:
Julian Shreeve: Montgomery Frog Books
Describe your art/craft?
I write and illustrate children’s rhyming picture books, which detail the adventures of Montgomery Frog and his best friend, Tiberius Toad. I self-publish the books, which are very high quality, fully laminated, Perfect Paperback. They are suitable for children from very young to around 9 years old. This is proven by the age range of existing Montgomery Frog fans. My books have been used for educational purposes in primary schools (verse is a very useful way to learn and remember things) and my illustrations are often complimented on their detail, expression and vibrant colours. I have often been requested to do readings in local primary schools, which I have always accepted. Possibly the most memorable was a reading at the Oulton Primary School, Lowestoft, on World Book Day, when I read one of my books to an assembly of around 400 children, which went down a storm. I read a book called, ‘Montgomery Frog and the French Frog Fryer’, which is the story of how Montgomery Frog and Tiberius Toad fly to France (aboard Dan Duck) to rescue some snails and frogs from the evil Pierre Le Chef, who plans to serve them to the diners in his restaurant.
How long have you been creating? How did you learn your craft or were you self-taught?
It all started for me in 2016. I was having a conversation with a work colleague, who informed me that he was writing a children’s book for his niece. I thought to myself, I’d like a crack at that, and started to pen my first Montgomery Frog adventure; ‘Montgomery Frog’s Fierce Fish Adventure’. I found it really helped me to write the story in rhyme, which has been my method for each and every book since then.
After writing a few adventures, I would ask various work colleagues to take them home and read them to their young relatives, and then give me some feedback. Invariably, I was told the kids loved the stories, but asked where the pictures were. This led me to begin illustrating my stories, which is something I enjoy immensely. Having written many stories, and illustrated my first one, I thought, why not self-publish my books and get them out there for the kids to enjoy?
I loved English and Art at school and, at 52 years old in 2016, I found myself using the skills I had learned so many years before. Now, after five years, I find myself with many books published and I have the satisfaction of knowing that hundreds of my books are out there, bringing lots of pleasure to a great many children. Isn’t that great?!
What are your favourite art/craft 'tools of the trade'?
I often write my stories, while sitting on my patio, enjoying the sun, with a simple notebook and pen. Sometimes, I’ll have a pencil, eraser, and some plain paper, to sketch any character ideas that I may have. My stories are typed into the WORD software on my computer, to make them presentable for delivery to the printing/publishing company. The illustrations are completed by using art software and a tablet, which allow me to create and develop my characters and scenes, with a pen, instead of a canvass and paintbrush. As I draw and paint with the pen on the tablet, the image is created on the screen of my laptop.
Where is your creative space?
I do have a small third bedroom at home, which is supposed to be my study. However, to my wife’s frustration, I am always working while seated at the dining room table, next to the window. I am also a keen gardener, with a well planted garden, which includes an ornamental fish pond. Often, I pause from my work to stare out of the window, at our lovely garden. Working at the dining room table also makes it very easy for me to just stroll out into the garden for inspiration. My fascination with ponds, and the creatures that dwell there, is where my book ideas have come from. I even have a cameo role in my book; ‘Montgomery Frog’s Koi Carp Calamity’.
What do you watch or listen to when you're creating?
The television is always on, while I’m busy creating. I like to have some background noise, but rarely pay too much attention to what’s actually happening on the screen. However, with the recent Olympic Games, I have often found myself pausing to enjoy some of that spectacle.
What's your best-selling product?
My very first book, ‘Montgomery Frog’s Fierce Fish Adventure’, is my best-selling product. I was working at a Power Station when I published the book (I’m now retired) so I had a huge market in the many people that worked there. The company I worked for also bought many of the books, to give to local primary schools. We also had a day when I was at the Visitor’s Centre and schoolchildren were brought in by bus, to hear this story. That was a great day. On top of this, when I get new customers, some will ask for a full set of my books, which means yet more copies of this first book are sold. Most importantly of all; this first book details how Montgomery Frog and Tiberius Toad first met and became friends.
Favourite thing you’ve ever created? Do you still have it, or did you sell/gift it?
My favourite book is Montgomery Frog and the Moon-Bound Martian. I think it is my funniest book and equally suitable for boys or girls.
Random fact about yourself?
Many of my book ideas come from just sitting in our garden, watching the wildlife. For example, one sunny day, I sat and watched flying ants departing from our garden, to start new nests elsewhere. I watched as first one, and then two, and then three dragonflies patrolled the sky, picking off the ants in mid-air. Many ants, on seeing the approaching dragonflies, would fold their wings and drop from the air. This led to me writing a story entitled ‘Montgomery Frog and the Dreaded Dragonflies’.
What new craft would you love to try?
It would be brilliant to create an animated cartoon of Montgomery Frog. That would be a dream come true.
Where can customers buy your products?
I am in attendance at all of the Southwold Craft Fairs, with the exception of October. I also have a Facebook Account and a Facebook Page. Just search for Montgomery Frog. As well as in person, books can be purchased by Bank Transfer and post. I can be emailed at [email protected]
Give a shout-out to a fellow artist or crafter you admire!
I admire anyone who can create something from their own imagination. I particularly admire the artists who produce beautiful paintings on canvas. Not one in particular, but all of them.