Tor Freeman (1977-) Biography

(Victoria Freeman)

Personal

Born 1977, in London, England; Education: Attended Wimbledon School of Art; Kingston University, B.A. (illustration).

Career

Freelance illustrator and writer; works as a medical secretary.

Writings

SELF-ILLUSTRATED

Roar!, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2002.

Hannukah Sticker Book, Walker Books (London, England), 2003.

Hooray, I'm Five Today!, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2004.

ILLUSTRATOR

Ann Dodds Dayle, Pet Wash, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2001.

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Michael Morpurgo, Cool as a Cucumber, Walker Books (London, England), 2003.

Judy Hindley, Sleepy Places, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2006.

Sidelights

Freelance illustrator Tor Freeman is the author and illustrator of Hooray, I'm Five Today! and Roar! Hooray, I'm Five Today! introduces readers to a young boy named Tyler who has planned a big surprise for his friend Dinah's birthday: he has gathered all of their ani-mal friends together in order to celebrate and even has cake! Freeman illustrates her warm-hearted story in pastel pencil and gouache, creating artwork that "convey[s] all the excitement of suspense and wish fulfillment on a five-year-old scale," according to a Publishers Weekly critic. A Kirkus Reviews critic wrote of Freeman's work that the author/illustrator "adeptly infuses both the tale and illustrations with whimsical imaginings that will appeal to small fry."

In Roar! Freeman once again utilizes an animal theme, this time focusing on a young girl named Lotte. Motivated by a bedtime story, Lotte decides to imitate six animals from the wild, with her mom playing along all the while. "The tidy acrylic, watercolor and pencil drawings exude an endearing coziness," wrote a Publishers Weekly reviewer, adding that "the visual variety nicely counterpoints [Freeman's] … unadorned, concise text."