Matt Ottley is an award-winning artist, illustrator and composer with more than 40 picture books to his name. In this episode, Matt discusses several of his works featured on the Premier's Reading Challenge booklists, including Stickboy, How to Make a Bird and The Incredible Freedom Machines. He shares insights into his creative process, describing how he collaborates with authors and chooses artistic styles that intuitively match each story.Matt also reveals the personal significance behind the book The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness, which draws from his experiences with bipolar disorder. As the artist behind the 2025 Premier's Reading Challenge artwork, Dance of the Jellyfish, Matt explains the symbolism woven throughout his illustration and the composition process for the accompanying musical piece. He discusses his innovative The Sound of Picture Books initiative which combines live music, animation and interactive drawing to create what he calls an 'intermodal' experience. Throughout the conversation, Matt explores how picture books can transcend age boundaries and how his unique perspective, including his red-green colour blindness and synaesthesia, influences his distinctive artistic style.

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