Jill barklem biography

British illustrator and writer

Jill Barklem (born Gillian Gaze; 23 May 1951 – 15 November 2017) was a British writer and illustrator of children's books.

Jill barklem original artwork

Her most famous work is the Brambly Hedge series, published from 1980.

Early life

Jill Barklem was born as Gillian Gaze in Epping on 23 May 1951.^[1] She was the daughter of John and Ivy Gaze, who ran a family-owned department store in the town.^[2] Educated at Loughton High School, after an accident when she was thirteen resulting in a detached retina, she was unable to take part in PE or games at school and instead developed her talent for drawing and art.

On leaving school, she studied illustration at St Martin's in London.^[1]

Illustrator

After graduating she became an illustrator for children's bibles and a series of collections of prayers and graces.

Under her maiden name, she illustrated the Haffertee Hamster books by Janet and John Perkins.

Her hus