Ben Cort

Ben Cort is a British award-winning children’s book illustrator whose books have been translated into over thirty languages and have sold millions of copies around the world. Best known for his bright, energetic, and humorous artwork. He has illustrated many famous picture books, most phenomenally popular, the Aliens Love Underpants series written by Claire Freedman, which has become a favourite among young readers for its silly rhymes and colourful alien characters. The books feature pants-loving aliens, dinosaurs, pirates, monsters and even Father Christmas!

Three animations for SKY TV have been produced by Tiger Aspect, one of which was BAFTA-nominated and the Aliens starred in their very own theatre show.  Another of Ben and Claire’s picture books, Monstersaurus, was also turned into a successful stage show which toured the UK. Cort studied illustration at Harrogate College of Art and has since built a successful career creating fun, lively images that appeal to children. His work often features bold colours, playful details, and lots of visual jokes, making his books exciting to look at as well as read.

As a lifelong Beatles fan, Ben was thrilled to be commissioned to illustrate Ringo Starr’s Octopus’s Garden as a children’s picture book. Ben has appeared at many of the UK’s literary festivals including Hay, Edinburgh, and Bath and illustrated the World Book Day title Everyone Loves Underpants. He has also illustrated other books like The Shark in the Dark written by Peter Bently, Little Ogre’s Surprise Supper written by Tomothy Knapman. Today, Ben Cort is recognised as one of the most popular illustrators in modern children’s publishing, especially for his ability to bring funny stories to life through imaginative art.