Mini Goss
Mini Goss was born in Melbourne in 1963. When she was two Mini and her parents moved to London. Over the next ten years they lived in London, New York, Melbourne as well as travelling through Europe where her mother worked as a model. Often being the “new kid” as well as an only child, Mini spent most of her spare time drawing. Her favourite things to draw were her pets and copying models in fashion magazines.
In 1992, after studying painting and printmaking at the Victorian College of the Arts and Graphic design at Swinburne, Mini started illustrating children's books. Since that time she has written four, and illustrated over twenty-five books.
As a grown up Mini still likes to draw her dog as well as her cat, rabbits, guineapigs, birds, fish and three children. Her pets and children have been the models for many of her characters. Recalling her experiences growing up in London in the swinging sixties Mini created When Mum Was Little. She used her daughter Hazel as the model for Tilly in Taming Butterflies and her son Dexter for the boy in When Dad Was a Teenager. Unfortunately she isn't allowed to have her own rhinoceros or elephant and so she had to go to the zoo to find subjects for the characters in Rhino Neil and Five little Owls.
Mini visits many schools each year. Using large storyboards she takes the kids through the picture book making process – from initial concept, writing and editing, through to the design and finished art. The storyboards show thumbnail roughs, reference material and completed illustrations from her published books.
Mini is particularly interested in working with classes of children over a number of sessions to produce their own picture books. Her challenge is to motivate the kids who say, “I can't draw”. During the rough copy phase in particular she emphasises the importance of experimenting and having fun. This encourages the kids to come up with more interesting ideas, they learn more, and teachers see a better educational outcome.
Above all the children are so proud when they finally have a finished book in their hands!
Mini is currently working on a series of books, animations, toys and clothing featuring a character called Barry – based on her dog.
In 2002 Mini was awarded the Crichton Award for best new illustrator of a picture book for When Mum was Little. Rhino Neil was listed as a notable picture book by the Children's Book Council.
Festivals Mini has been involved with are:
- The Fun 4 Kids Festival Warrnambool (2002, 2003, 2004)
- Newcastle Literary Festival 2003
- The Geelong Children's Literature Festival 2003
- Children's Book Council conference Hobart 2003
- Children's Book Week Festival 2003
- Ararat Young Writers Conference 2003
In 2003 Mini was invited to design the banner for the Children's Book Council Website.
Publications List
The Cat and the Mouse,
by Edel Wignell, illustrated by Mini Goss. Mammoth Books 1994
When Mum Was Little,
by Mini Goss, Black Dog Books 2001
Colossal Creatures,
by Nick Hughes, illustrated by Mini Goss. Koala Books 2002
Colossal Machines,
by Nick Hughes, illustrated by Mini Goss. Koala Books 2004
When Dad Was A Teenager,
By Mini Goss, Black Dog Books 2004
Taming Butterflies,
by Sue Whiting, illustrated by Mini Goss. New Frontier 2004
Hand Me Down Hippo,
by Hazel Edwards, illustrated by Mini Goss. Puffin 2004
Little Rosie Runaway
By Gabiann Marin Illustrated By Mini Goss 2005
Rhino Neil,
by Mini Goss, New Frontier 2005
What Does Your Daddy Do?
By Mini Goss, Koala Books 2006
Round Fish Square Bowl
By Tom Skinner Illustrated by Mini Goss New Frontier 2006
Five Little Owls
By Mark Carthew, illustrated by Mini Goss, New Frontier 2008
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