John Prater studied graphics at Brighton College of Art and went on to Reading University. He worked in advertising for several years before taking up teaching. He is married with two children and his wife.
His first book, On Friday Something Funny Happened, was runner-up for the 1983 Mother Goose Award, which is presented annually to the most exciting newcomer to children's book illustration. Since then he has illustrated picture books with great success for both Walker Books and The Bodley Head, illustrating such memorable titles as The Kite and Caitlin, Timid Tim and the Cuggy Thief and the sequel Really Brave Tim as well as a number of irresistible bear books for the very young, The Bear went over the Mountain, Number One Tickle your Tum, Again!, Oh Where, Oh Where Board Book, Walking Round the Garden Board Book and a Baby Bear Lift-the-Flap Book.
John continues to work full time as an illustrator and lives with his family near Southampton.
Charming story about a bear and his grandad in the garden. Little bear has more energy and in the end grandad persuades him to have a story and a cuddle in the hammock.
My five-year-old son picked this book out from the library today.
This book was perhaps a little young for my son, but it does so perfectly capture the essence of a toddler or a preschooler. Clever Grand-Bear for using Baby Bear energy and desire to repeat a task in a useful way. That is the secret to preserving your sanity. That, and naps.
Great story of Baby Bear and Grand Bear. Children love to say "Again!" Grand Bear tires of the various games before Baby Bear, but there is a lot of love between the two.