Hannah Sommerville

Hannah Sommerville comes from the scenic South Coast of New South Wales. She earned a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts and Graphic Design) from Wollongong University in 2005 and practiced as a commercial designer before becoming a mother of two. Reading with her young children rekindled Hannah's adoration of children's picture books and she began to turn her attention to illustration.

Being a mother has inspired Hannah's work and provided a meaningful relationship between her life and art. Hannah enjoys capturing familiar instances in the life of children and focuses on crafting moments to which her readers can connect.

Charlie's Whale, written by Libby Gleeson, is published by Lothian Children’s Books in September 2022.

Charlie loves the sea.
He loves the seashells and the seahorses, the sharks and the stingrays, the crabs and the crayfish.
He loves the gentle waves that creep up onto the sand and tickle his toes.
He loves the huge wild waves that crash onto the sand and make the beach tremble.
But most of all he loves the whales.

Market Day, written by Carrie Gallasch, and published by Hardie Grant Children's Publishing in January 2022.

When a girl is given a coin to spend at the market, she thinks carefully about what to buy. She is tempted by the towering stacks of fruit, spinning rides and glass jars filled with sweets. But it isn’t until a stranger gives something to her, without expecting anything in return, that she knows exactly what to do with her coin. A story brimming with joy, generosity and magic from two of Australia’s beloved picture book creators.

Carrie Gallasch’s beautiful text evokes the warmth and community of the market, while Hannah Sommerville brings this glorious world to life with rich colour and texture.

Jetty Jumping, written by Andrea Rowe, and published by Hardie Grant Children's Publishing in March 2021.

While Milla’s friends take big, brave jumps off the jetty, Milla stays on the blistering wood, scared of what lurks below. But when Milla accidentally falls off the edge, she discovers the beauty of the deep, dark sea – and her summer changes forever.
Andrea Rowe and Hannah Sommerville perfectly capture the challenges of childhood – and the joy of letting go – in this homage to summer.

Anisa's Alphabet, written by Mike Dumbleton and published by Midnight Sun Publishing in March 2020.

For many refugees the alphabet represents the start of a new language and a new future, but Anisa’s Alphabet is different. A poignant and highly imaginative telling of one girl’s story which will appeal to children and adults alike … Come with Anisa, and see things through her eyes.

Digby & Claude, written by Emma Allen and published by National Library of Australia in September 2018.

Digby's street is soon going to look different - old houses are going to be demolished and new apartments will be built. But Digby isn't sure he wants Main Street to change. With the help of his new friend, Claude, Digby creates a hideout where the pair can think and play. As their grand plans grow and the street around them starts to transform, the boys begin to realise that the best places of all are places where you belong.

In 2014, Omnibus Books published Emma Allen's Grandma, the Baby and Me, and 2016 saw the publication of two picture books by Hannah - Emma Allen's My Friend Ernest and Kate Richie's I Just Couldn't Wait to Meet You.

Hannah's illustrations can be viewed at www.hannahsommerville.com