Antony Elworthy

Antony Elworthy is a New Zealand-based illustrator, animator, and children’s book author whose creative career spans both film and literature. His work often appears in early-reader and educational series, especially the Collins Big Cat reading programme. In addition to his own writing, Elworthy has illustration credits on various other books including collaborations where he provided artwork to complement authors’ text showcasing his range not just as a storyteller but as a visual artist for children’s books that help make simple texts engaging for young readers. He has also worked on critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated animated films, and is also involved in directing animation for upcoming projects, including a feature film version of Kiri and Lou.

In What Am I? (Collins Big Cat), published in 2007, Elworthy is credited as one of the illustrators alongside Beccy Blake for a non-fiction themed children’s book that introduces young readers to different jobs adults do through photographs and playful visuals, although the main text is by Maoliosa Kelly. In My Exercise Diary (Collins Big Cat), published in 2006, he is again credited among the creative team (with text by Alison Hawes and other contributors) for an early reading book that follows a child’s week of exercise and physical activities using action photos and simple text suited for beginner readers.

Elworthy’s work in children’s publishing extends beyond these titles. In 2024, he published his debut middle-grade novel The Strange and Unlikely Tale of Montgomery, the Mysterious Bird of Mystery, a humorous and imaginative story about Gramps, a former stuntman and magician, and his troublesome dove Montgomery, blending whimsy, adventure, and Herzog-like quirky storytelling that has drawn comparisons to authors like David Walliams. Elworthy both wrote and illustrated the book, bringing his artistic style and narrative voice from animation into children’s literature. Before becoming a book author/illustrator, Elworthy also had a career in animation, working on well-known films such as Coraline, Corpse Bride, Isle of Dogs and lead stop-motion animator on Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, bringing his visual storytelling experience into his books.