Jane Buckley knows what children look for in a book.

"There’s no audience tougher than children," says Jane. “Make them laugh and you’re halfway there. Supertato hits the spot with its bright bold colours and simple shapes. And, it’s funny - a potato in a shower cap, what’s not to like?”

As senior art director of the picture book list at Simon and Schuster Children’s division, Jane's job is to work closely with the publisher on building the list.

“That includes working on story and visuals with both author and illustrator," she says. "I will work mainly with the illustrator to build the visual side of the picture book, laying everything out, text and visuals and creating a cover which attracts both big and little kids.

“I'm very passionate about text layout - it must work in a way that keeps you interested as well as be entertaining. I never want to miss the opportunity for a crucial page turn: the 'Boo!' moment.”

When considering a book cover, Jane believes that the first few seconds glance is vital in catching people’s attention. “It’s the same whether it’s books, shoes or, food. I want to create an instant emotion, whether that is laughter, or heartfelt.”

She adds: “We are all attracted by packaging. I often find myself in Salts Mill buying a beautiful-looking book, without knowing much about it.”

Earlier this year Jane became the first winner of a prestigious award.

She was presented with a golden nib-shaped trophy in the annual British Book Awards or, as they are widely known, Nibbies.

The awards represent the best of the book trade - the UK’s leading creative industry - and Jane, who grew up in Buttershaw, was the first winner of a new Nibbies category Designer of the Year.

She has been described as ‘the UK’s stand-out commercial picture book designer’, whose creative instincts can produce designs that sell in the hundreds of thousands.

A former pupil of Buttershaw Upper School - now Buttershaw Business & Enterprise College Academy - art was always her strongest subject. “But sadly, I wasn’t pushed towards a creative career,” she says. “I didn’t know much about illustration and cover design, but as a child, my dad would cut out funny pictures from newspapers, such as a line of ducklings walking proudly across a putting green. I think these scenarios laid the foundations to my career as a picture book designer.”

Jane left school aged 16. “Further education at the time wasn’t really an option. After a short and miserable spell working in a bank, I took a bit of a leap and went back to school to do A-level art. I had such a huge drive in my belly, I think leaving school did that to me and after hard work, I got a place on the art foundation course at Bradford College. She went on to study fine art at Nottingham Trent University.

She became involved in the book publishing industry “completely by accident”.

“I moved to London with no job and just enough money to get by for a few months. I did however, have a few creative friends and with their help I landed a job at DK publishing house, assisting the designers, and mocking up book fair dummies. I learned on the job.”

Since then she has worked with other leading publishers including Penguin Random House, Little Tiger Press and Kingfisher. She has worked with award-wining illustrators including Benji Davies, Sarah Ogilvie, Nadia Shireen, Liz Pichon and Kate Hindley.

Jane has worked for Simon & Schuster for 13 years. The Nibbies judges commented that she ‘knows how to get the very best out of S&S’ stable of picture book illustrators, and crafts cover designs that combine creativity with strong instincts for what will sell. Her attention to detail on colours, fonts, papers and much more is drawn from a deep understanding of what the youngest readers and their parents like.’

The talented editor was also recognised for her commitment to the Pop Up Projects Pathways In Children’s Publishing Programme which supports and nurtures underrepresented voices. She has volunteered as a mentor to artists and also art directed one of the ‘10 Stories to Make a Difference’ titles, working with a young LGBTQ+ debut writer, alongside renowned artist David Roberts.

Rachel Denwood, managing director of Simon & Schuster called her the ‘UK’s stand out commercial picture book designer.’

Jane’s work includes bestselling World Book Day title, Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet’s Supertato: Books are Rubbish!; the year’s topselling picture book début, Lu Fraser and Kate Hindley’s The Littlest Yak; and Smriti Halls and Steve Small’s international hit I’m Sticking with You.

She was thrilled to win the award. “I was chuffed to bits just to be shortlisted. To win, well that just doesn’t happen to me. The inaugural Designer of the Year - bonkers. But what it did do was highlight all those years of hard work, dedication and generally, never giving up.”

Jane has also been involved in the Love Your Library campaign, a country-wide touring exhibition of children’s book illustrators, run in collaboration between Simon & Schuster and specialist book suppliers Peters.