Come explore! Let’s start an adventure. Lonely Planet Kids excites and educates children about the amazing world around them. Read our story below and get to know the authors and illustrators who bring our books to life.
Lonely Planet Kids combines astonishing facts, quirky humour and eye-catching imagery to ignite children’s curiosity and encourage them to discover more about our planet. Every book draws on our huge team of global experts to help share our continual fascination with what makes the world such a diverse and magnificent place – inspiring children at home and in school.
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From humble beginnings in 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world’s leading travel media company with guidebooks to almost every country, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off the beaten path and understand more of the culture and environment of the places in which they find themselves.
Lulu Mayo, illustrator
The World's Cutest Animal Colouring Book
Lulu is an illustrator who loves the quirky and the idiosyncratic. She enjoys bringing energy and humour to her artworks, which range from greeting cards and prints to children’s books. Most of her works are characterised by funny mysterious creatures, patterns and humour.
Passion.
My sister (she knows how to choose the good restaurants!).
Aromatic Shecha tea!
Everyone is a book and is worthy of being read.
Visiting all the amusement parks in Florida in two months for free!
Cherie Zamazing, illustrator
Let's Explore Mountain, City and Desert
Cherie Zamazing is an author-illustrator based in Nottingham. She began her illustration career in the greetings cards industry, before delving into the world of children’s books. Her book ‘Peter’s Pebbles’ has inspired children to get creative in painting workshops, which she runs at bookstores, literary festivals and schools.
My yellow submarine camera that takes photos underwater!
My wife and best friend, Michele.
Authentic Greek yoghurt, with fruit and local honey.
It’s the people and animals you meet, and the friends you make that make a place special… and sunshine helps!
Our honeymoon to Skiathos. From our voyage on the Eleni, swimming under the ‘Arch of youth’ in Lalaria to all the wonderful friends we made at Studios Filia and all over the island; every moment was magical!
Dave Shephard, illustrator
Let's Explore Mountain, City and Desert
Dave spent his childhood shuttling from country to country, from Singapore to Cuba with some Middle East thrown in. He rarely saw a telly, so drawing was his only option. The travel bug is a hard one to shake, so now he drags his family whenever possible from the cosy foothills of Sussex to the mountains of far off places.
Pad Thai noodles.
To San Francisco in 1967!
Driving to the beach from Havana to Jibacoa with my Mum and Dad.
Everybody fundamentally wants the same things: Security, peace, love and opportunity.
Snorkelling!
Stewart Ross, author
Unfolding Journeys Amazon Adventure and Rocky Mountain Explorer
Stewart Ross is an award-winning author of over 300 fiction and non-fiction books for children and adults. He has lived and worked in many countries all around the world, but has not yet realised his dream of walking from Dover to Ulan Bator. One day, perhaps?
A good book.
My wife, Lucy.
String hoppers.
Bears eat your breakfast if you leave it outside your tent at night.
Sand dune jumping in a jeep at night.
Annie Davidson, illustrator
Unfolding Journeys Rocky Mountain Explorer
Annie is a Melbourne-based freelance illustrator whose naive and quirky drawings are appearing various places internationally, from packaging and textiles to shop windows and kids’ books. She loves drawing little places you’d love to hang out in, including cactus gardens, underwater scenes and treehouses.
Vegemite for toast (if I’m outside Australia!), drawing materials and my camera.
I like travelling with a few friends at a time – the more the merrier!
Turkish delight, Halva, and gelati.
Slovenia had its own Robin Hood type character who lived in a castle built into a cliff and aided the Hungarians in their war against the Austrians, with the help of a secret passage leading through the cliff – which I was lucky enough to wander through!
Spending a week in a tiny village in Tuscany with four close friends during their annual festival ‘Il Palio of Casole d’Elsa’, which is a horse race accompanied by parades, street parties, and fireworks.
Victo Ngai, illustrator
Unfolding Journeys
Los Angeles-based illustrator Victo Ngai grew up in Hong Kong and went on to Rhode Island School of Design, majoring in illustration. In addition to being a Forbes 30 Under 30 (Art and Style) honoree and a Society of Illustrators NY Gold Medalist, her work has received recognition from the New York Times, Communication Arts and many others. Her clients include the New York Times, the New Yorker, American Express, Apple, Lufthansa airline and many more.
My camera and drawing tools.
My boyfriend.
Butter ramen in the mist of a snowstorm in Hokkaido, Japan.
The spontaneous and accidental finds usually end up being the most special and memorable moments.
Road-tripping in rural Southern England, figuring out what to do and finding roofs for the nights as we go.
Sally Morgan, author
Marco's Maze Mission and Amelia's Maze Adventure
Sally is an author of children’s books based in Minneapolis, USA. Sally was born in Malaysia, raised in England and studied in Scotland before moving to London and working with the some of the world’s most wonderful people as an editor. Sally loves to explore the world with her family and to revisit her adventures in her writing.
A Lonely Planet. Seriously – they are like a security blanket. My first, a guide to the Philippines, was given to me nearly 20 years ago by a dear friend. I get excited each time I get a new one.
My husband, David. Although he does insist that I walk up hills, which is not something I enjoy.
Malaysian and Greek. And French? Japanese? Czech? American? Food is the greatest thing about travel.
That the best memories are forged when plans fail, and that tropical ants will eat your underwear if you leave it lying around.
Diving, anywhere and everywhere. Each new dive feels like a continuation of the last. There is nothing to beat it.
Kim Dennis-Bryan, Consultant
The Animal Book
Kim Dennis-Bryan is a university lecturer who has written and consulted on over two hundred books about animals, fossils, Earth and the environment. She loves travelling but is just as happy to potter in the garden with her dogs. She also enjoys going to the theatre, reading and anything to do with domestication of animals.
The relevant wildlife guides.
My husband.
Best meal abroad?
I like most things but draw the line at eating chicken brains.
When in the Australian bush, you can use nectar from the abdomens of honey pot ants to sweeten your morning mug of tea.
Visiting new places and seeing animals in their natural surroundings. The excitement you feel at seeing a wild animal for the first time is something you never forget be it a big cat in Africa or a badger in the English countryside.
Ruth Martin, author
The Animal Book
Ruth is a freelance writer living in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. She has written more than 40 books for children and loves creating non-fiction about the natural world and the universe. When she is not writing, Ruth can be found trying to work out how to renovate a crumbly Georgian house and how to raise two wild daughters.
An enormous bag of essentials, including pen, camera and of course biscuits!
My family: my husband to get us there in style, and our daughters to ask the craziest questions.
American cheesecake and French red wine.
Everything tastes better on holiday: picnics on windy Welsh beaches, tapas in Portugal and a barbecue watching the sun set over the Mediterranean – delicious!
Driving from Washington to Virginia by the Blue Ridge Mountains, in a red convertible Mustang with my husband. We were travelling to my best friend’s wedding and it was like our own movie!
Anna Claybourne, author
City Trails Tokyo
I write books for children on all kinds of topics, from amazing places and incredible explorations to art, animals, science and Shakespeare. I love the outdoors, especially camping, hiking and exploring new places. I’ve lived in Costa Rica, Canada and Iceland as well as my home in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Chocolate!
My two kids.
Icelandic Skyr (a cross between cheese and yoghurt).
How to drive a very old Land Rover across a bridge over a river, made of nothing but two planks.
I love outdoor swimming, including in Costa Rica, Iceland, the Isles of Arran and Eigg in Scotland, the Lake District and Elba, Italy. That’s my favourite thing to do when travelling.
Anne Rooney, author
Dinosaur Atlas
Anne Rooney is an over-enthusiastic author who has written more than 200 books for readers long and short, old and young. She really likes travel adventures that are a bit dangerous – but has survived intact so far, despite a few volcano-burns, encounters with deadly jellyfish, and getting lost.
My laptop. I have to write, wherever I am.
My daughters! I once picked up one of mine from school, telling her we were going to the dentist, and took her to Ferrara in Italy to visit the tomb of her namesake, Lucrezia Borgia. Surprise!
Very fresh fish, straight from the sea, almost anywhere.
That you don’t need a common language to communicate with people. You can get a long way with gestures, pictures, mime – and smiles!
Throwing kebabs to golden eagles in Outer Mongolia. They catch them mid-air, eat the meat and drop the skewer (which is sharp – you have to dodge the falling skewers!)
Brendan Kearney, illustrator
The Big Earth Book
Whilst studying Architecture at University, Brendan realised he didn’t like rulers. So he threw away his ruler and tape measure and started doodling… and he now illustrates children’s books! If he is not drawing you are likely to find him playing guitar or banjo. He likes satsumas and sandwiches. He doesn’t like carrots or slugs.
Comfortable shoes, strong coffee and music.
Close friends you’ve known for years.
Hmmm… that’s a tough one! I would have to say paella or gumbo…
Don’t make too many plans because the most memorable things happen by accident.
Road tripping around America or touring with my band around Switzerland.
Dan Smith, author
Around the World in 50 Ways
Dan is an author and editor from London. He has written over 25 books on subjects as diverse as Sherlock Holmes, serendipity and the 100 places you will never visit! With two young children, he is just starting his adventures in writing for younger people and is loving the challenge.
A notebook and pen to jot down ideas.
I’m going to insist on ‘buddies’ here. My wife and kids. And a good book, of course.
I lived in Kolkata back in 2003 and will never forget the great food there.
Good weather, great views and unexpected adventures all make travelling fun, but it’s always the people you meet who make or break a trip.
Getting engaged on a hilltop overlooking Florence (and then sharing the most epic pizza) was a pretty great day.
Andy Briggs, author
How to be an International Spy
Andy is a screenwriter, graphic novelist, author and conservationist – writing on Hollywood movie projects while at the same time landing an eight-book deal with Oxford University Press for Hero.com. He has rebooted the classic character Tarzan, with a series of contemporary books which donate to a conservation charity.
My SLR camera!
Has to be my best buddy, Sabrina.
I adore all Mexican food, but only when eaten in Mexico!
That around every corner there are always more amazing things to learn.
Travelling through the Amazon to visit Angel Falls.
Ben Tobitt, illustrator
How to be an International Spy
Ben is an illustrator and animator, currently living in London but was raised in the wilds of Dorset. With a small, but hardy team he made the BAFTA nominated animated series The Story Of Britain for BBC learning. He is an accomplished explorer, raconteur and master of the art of procrastination. He also writes all his own biographies and is ten feet tall.
A sketchbook and extremely sharp pencils.
A hip flask of a mysterious and secret brew.
New York pizza.
They have eyes everywhere.
That is a secret.
Jenni Sparks, illustrator
Unfolding Journeys: Amazon Adventure
Jenni Sparks is an illustrator, designer, map maker, hand-letterer and fun lover. Originally from a small seaside town in South West England, but now based in East London, she’s living the dream of being able to colour stuff in for a living while listening to music all day.
A really good playlist.
Myself!
Katsu curry and sushi.
The world is full of good people.
Driving around the mountains of Sri Lanka.
James Gulliver Hancock, illustrator
How Cities Work
I’m an illustrator who travels a lot. Revealing the workings of things in a quirky fun way is my passion. Whether it be through illustrated maps, or diagrams or just re-presenting familiar surroundings to people in a new light. I’m an obsessive illustrator that loves to visually inspire people. I’m well known for my book ‘ All the Buildings in New York’ which has taken me around the world documenting the cities we know and love.
A pencil. When I’m travelling I’m always making marks on the things around me. When I stay with people I’m always leaving little drawings on scraps of paper. I don’t necessarily need to take the paper or a pad, as I love working with whatever I find around me at the time.
My wife – our whole relationship has been travel. We’re both lucky enough to have careers that are married to travel, so we’ve always loved supporting each other as we make our work in different places around the world.
All of it, I love seeking out the tastiest local recommendations when I arrive. Some key memorable moments are : the best taco I’ve ever had under a freeway overpass in Mexico City, the best breakfast of rice and fish and chill and egg under another freeway overpass in Kuala Lumpur and the best wine and cheese I’ve ever had on a cliffs edge with the sunset at Cinque Terre in Italy.
You don’t need to plan anything. I love arriving in a city with absolutely nothing planned. It’s a little easier now with a smart phone, but it’s great to just wander and see what happens when you’re travelling.
Every single day is fun, it’s cheesy to say, but I think because of the large amount of travelling I’ve done I feel like my perception of the world has become really entertaining!
Joe Fullman, author
Incredible Cabinet of Wonders
Joe Fullman is a freelance author based in London. Over the past 20 years, he has – by a rather neat symmetry – written and contributed to guidebooks to around 20 countries. That means he’s visited an awful lot of museums – although he’s always happy to fit in a couple more. In between his foreign adventures, Joe has also found time to write children’s books on everything from dinosaurs and space to music and ancient history.
Lots of notebooks, lots of pens and plenty of printed maps (I’m old school).
Frances, printed map-reader extraordinaire (thankfully, she’s as old-school as I am).
By volume consumed, it would have to be Italian. My waistline may disagree.
If you ask nicely, somebody will probably take the time to help you.
Being surrounded by a barking army of territorial capuchin monkeys in a Costa Rican rainforest (it was more fun than it sounds).
Livi Gosling, illustrator
The Cities Book
I’m an illustrator from Hertfordshire, UK. I studied illustration in Falmouth, Cornwall. I loved living and drawing by the sea. I hope to one day go to New Zealand, illustrate a cookbook and get paid in cheese. You’ll find me in the kitchen if I’m not drawing.
My sketchbook and my cameras.
Josh Hurley. Boyfriend, illustrator & fellow greedy-guts.
Pastéis de nata. I’m currently thinking of booking a Portuguese mini break. In truth, it’s really just a custard tart pilgrimage…
You get much more of a feel for a place when you spend hours walking. (Comfy shoes and snacks are essential.)
BBQ’s on the beach in Falmouth with all my friends. Under the stars. Magical.
Maggie Li, illustrator
The Travel Book
Maggie Li is a freelance illustrator and art director based in London. She specialises in bold, graphic illustration and a colourful palette. As well as art directing popular children’s publication OKIDO magazine, she writes and illustrates her own children’s books. Maggie loves to travel and cook and tries bring these passions together in her work as much as possible.
Camera and a sketchbook.
A guidebook!
Okonomiyaki made at the table in Japan.
To let go of everything and enjoy the moment.
Staying up all night and getting lost in Miami.
Malcolm Croft, author
The Travel Book
Malcolm Croft is a freelance author, editor and former popular culture commissioning editor. Over the past decade, Malcolm has published, and written 20+ music, film, travel, quirky reference, gift, humour and popular culture titles, including two of the bestselling Cool Series, aimed for pre-teens. He is the author of The Travel Book. He lives in London.
My notebook and a pencil. I take it everywhere with me just in case I get an idea and don’t want to forget it.
My wife. After writing The Travel Book my wife and I took four months off to travel southeast Asia and it was the best experience I’ve ever had.
This is a tricky question – I love all food. Vietnamese is probably the tastiest though.
No matter where you go, always try one new thing, something out of your comfort zone, every day. By doing something new you open the door to something you maybe had never thought of before.
Still to come….I hope! But travelling southeast Asia with my wife is probably the funniest thing I’ve ever done so far. We laughed every day.
Moira Butterfield, author
New York City Trails
Moira has been a children’s author for many years, writing a wide range of material from travel, nature and history to fiction about imaginary worlds. She loves new challenges, both in writing and in life, and when away from the desk she is usually to be found exploring on her bicycle.
A book (which is why many of my books look sun-faded and slightly the worse for wear!).
My husband, who knows much more about history than me and loves cafes almost as much as I do.
Lebanese. Delicious. Lots of little plates full of taste.
That smiles go a long long way.
Dog-sledding in Norway. I can’t wait to do it again.
Tom Woolley, illustrator
The Cities Book
Tom is a freelance illustrator who lives in West Yorkshire. Tom draws a lot of maps and his illustrations have appeared in children’s books, magazines and adverts around the world. When not at his computer, Tom can be found exploring the Yorkshire wilds foraging for good coffee.
Books, sketch pad, music and a camera.
My girlfriend – she’s great at finding good places to eat.
Chinese steamed salmon buns.
Wear sunscreen.
Snorkelling with sea turtles in Hawaii!
Vanina Starkoff, illustrator
Unfolding Journeys: Secrets of the Nile
Vanina was born in beautiful Latin America in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. She graduated as a graphic designer, but she felt that it was not her true passion. Following her heart, she discovered the illustration world and picture books for children. Passionate about the colours and landscapes that she has always painted lies her great love, Brazil, where she has lived since 2014.
My flowered green scarf… it always brings me luck and the best experiences!
Music!
Peruvian ceviche (marinaded raw fish), acarajé (shrimp fritters) of Bahia, Brazil, and el completo (hot dogs) from Chile!
Coolest thing you’ve learned from your travels?
That it is wonderful to travel but it is also very nice to have a home sweet home to come back to.
Most fun you’ve ever had?
Arriving in Rio de Janeiro when the people of the city told me that Carnaval was beginning!
Koivo, illustrator
Games on the Go
Koivo is an illustrator originally from Russia, currently living in Vienna, Austria, studying Art History and drawing in between. Koivo is mostly known for travel illustrations and posters made in a simple but colourful and witty style.
My Ipad and sketchbook, to draw up ideas for my current and future travel illustrations.
I use to travel alone mostly, but travelling with my family is also a lot of fun!
Pizza.
It’s cool to have a home to come back to!
I usually plan all my travels, but there was a time when I travelled kind of spontaneously with my girlfriend, which meant it introduced me to a lot of her friends in several cities within a short time. That was a very unusual experience for me as introvert! 🙂
Jo Schofield and Fiona Danks, authors
Wild Things
Jo and Fiona are on a mission to inspire children and families to discover the wonders of the natural world. They believe everyone should have opportunities to explore wild places and grow up understanding the value of nature and their connection to it. They’ve written 11 books, all packed with fun, practical ideas to tempt children outside where the wild world can weave its magic upon them.
A toothbrush. Nature can provide almost everything you’ll need, but a stick just doesn’t clean your teeth as well as a good toothbrush! We also always take binoculars to spy on nature’s secrets.
Robin Wood: a little woodland elf made from sticks and clay that travels everywhere with us.
Wild food foraged from woods, hedgerows and mountains. Tastes even better if cooked over an open fire!
You don’t have to travel to remote corners of the world to discover magical wild places; nature is everywhere, all you have to do is open your eyes and immerse yourself in it.
We once took our boys and friends on a joint 8th birthday party camping out in self-made shelters in the woods in December! Loads of fun, scary stories around a campfire, stars, night sounds – pretty hard to beat!
