Hello, I’m Amanda Boulding — a children’s author and illustrator inspired by the wonder of nature, the courage of small heroes, and the magic of everyday kindness.

Early Adventures

I grew up in Hong Kong, where my childhood was filled with sunshine, salt water, and endless adventure. Weekends meant boat trips to hidden beaches, collecting bright bits of “treasure” along the shore, and building treehouses with a noisy gang of friends. Those early years gave me a lifelong love of the outdoors — and a curiosity about the wider world that’s never really gone away.

After returning to the UK, I threw myself into school life: Brownies, Guides, Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, and plenty of hiking, camping, and climbing. Later, at the University of Birmingham, I studied Electronic Engineering, taking part in canoe expeditions, team-building challenges, and even a student exchange in Melbourne that let me explore Australia from coast to desert.

From Engineering to Storytelling

My early career was far from picture books — I joined the BBC as a project manager, helping to build studios, apps, and digital platforms for Sport and News. It was an exciting time, full of creative people and innovative projects. But after meeting my husband and starting a family, I took a step back to raise our two children — an experience that shaped me more deeply than any job ever could.

Being at home with my children re-ignited my creativity. I began painting again — a skill I rediscovered years earlier after an accident left me recovering with nothing but a “teach yourself watercolours” book and a set of paints. My work grew into large contemporary landscapes that sold across the UK and abroad — even to the Chair of the National Lottery!

Finding My Voice as an Author

When my children started school, I began sketching little drawings for their lunchboxes, each with a mini story to make them smile or spark curiosity. Those daily doodles grew into full-length stories — gentle tales that helped my daughter learn to read and encouraged conversations about kindness, courage, and caring for the world.

A move to the Caribbean for a year gave me space to write my first full picture book, Brody’s Great Adventure, followed by Sam the Seagull and Sam to the Rescue — playful stories inspired by family adventures and seaside life. My latest books, including Save Our River, explore environmental themes and emotional awareness, helping children understand that even small actions can make a big difference.

What Inspires My Work

I believe picture books should nurture imagination, empathy, and a love for nature — not just through bright colours, but through meaningful stories. My aim is to bring back gentle storytelling: tales with heart, humour, and hope that encourage children to care — for themselves, for others, and for our planet.

Whether I’m visiting nurseries, schools, or local community groups, seeing children connect with a story is the most rewarding part of what I do. Every giggle, gasp, and thoughtful question reminds me why I started: to create stories that stay with young readers long after the last page turns.