Karen Langtree
The Monkey Island story...
has illustrated and designed many children’s books, and is delighted to have teamed up with Karen to bring a whole new musical perspective into her portfolio.
Gill was brought up in rural Lancashire and spent most of her childhood drawing and exploring the hills and streams in wellies. To this day she maintains an interest in all things wiggly. Her most beloved places are hilly and woody, so living in the Yorkshire Dales is most enjoyable, especially with her husband and two children.
is the author of several books for children and teenagers as well as the composer of a number of musicals for schools. In writing Angel Small, she is thrilled to team up with the amazingly talented illustrator, Gill McLean, in her adventure into the world of picture books.
Karen lives in York with her husband and two teenagers. She loves reading, singing and playing the piano. The place she loves most in the whole world is Holy Island in Northumberland. One day she would like to retire there with an imaginary dog and take it for walks along the beach every morning.
Gill McLean
The Monkey Island Story...
Karen Langtree
Who are we?
Karen Langtree and Gill McLean met in 2013 and quickly recognised a common interest. The result was Monkey Island Publishing, a publishing house aimed at making quality books for children of all ages.
Karen is a teacher, musician, songwriter, musical writer and author. She has written several books for children and young adults, as well as musicals, published by Monkey Island, SPCK and Kevin Mayhew Ltd. She has also been commissioned to write stories for an innovative new toy called Smart Teddi. She was Author in Residence at the Mount School in York and is Patron of Reading at several schools in the North of England.
Gill is an author, illustrator and book designer, who has illustrated many children’s books with publishers such as Harper Collins, Oxford University Press, QED and Parragon. As an in-house designer for Templar Publishing, she designed everything from picture books to pop-ups.
Karen and Gill have also worked on a project for the Archbishop of York’s Youth Trust, writing and illustrating material for the Key Stage One Young Leaders Programme. They are joint Patrons of Reading at Le Cateau School, Catterick Garrison.