Lauren Sharples is an author-illustrator based in Leeds, with a focus on children’s books. In 2025, she earned an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art, after completing a BA in Illustration at Leeds Arts University.

Lauren’s work is narrative-driven and rooted in nostalgic, often humorous memories of childhood. She uses expressive linework and traditional printmaking methods, frequently incorporating recycled materials like Tetra Pak and reclaimed paper to build sustainable, textured visuals.

Her illustrations have received recognition from major awards, including the Thames & Hudson ‘Paper Bird Illustration Award’, Picture This!, the World Illustration Awards, the iJungle Illustration Awards, the Macmillan Prize for Illustration, and the Penguin Cover Design Award. She was a mentee with Picture Hooks in 2025; her mentor was Francis Martin.