ABOUT

For more than 30 years, Laurence Anholt has been at the forefront of UK publishing, and consistently amongst the 150 Most Borrowed Authors from UK libraries across all genres. His multi-award winning books span every age - from baby board books, through picture books and Young Adult fiction. Most recently Laurence’s first venture into adult crime, The Mindful Detective series is published in July 2019.

From his studio near Lyme Regis in southwest England, Laurence has created more than 200 books, which have been translated into numerous languages and have won many awards, including the prestigious Nestlé Smarties (Gold) Award on two occasions. 

Born in 1959 to a Dutch family with Persian roots, Laurence spent his early years in Holland. He studied painting at Falmouth School of Art and has a Master’s Degree in Fine Art from the Royal Academy in London.

He has been married for 34 years to the artist Catherine Anholt who illustrated many of their books for young children. She is also a successful painter in her own right.

The Anholts have three grown up children: Claire works for the United Nations in Geneva, and twins, Tom and Maddy are a Berlin based artist and an actor in London. They also have three grandchildren, Nina, Felix and Ada.

Laurence and Catherine live in an ‘upside down’ eco-house, surrounded by wildflower meadows overlooking the sea. Laurence’s passions are family, art, bees, books and Buddhism.