Author | Lightnews

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara

@lightonthesea.bsky.social

710 followers 480 following 90 posts

Author/illustrator with Walker, Candlewick, Faber, HarperCollins, Penguin, Puffin, Rocky Pond. USA Today Bestseller. Rep Jennifer Laughran @ Andrea Brown Lit. Scottish & Irish and living in England.

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jun 12

I think I’d like to make a book all about sleeping. Or maybe I just want to sleep more. 🥰 #kidlit #kidlitart

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jun 11

I have news ♥️ #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebook #putyourrecordson #corinnebaileyrae

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jun 9

Awww thank you!

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jun 9

It’s paperback publication week for ‘The Night Whale’ by Bryher Mackenzie and I, with Walker Books. Such a lovely project to work on ♥️. #kidlitart #kidlit #picturebook

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jun 9

How everything feels in the world lately. #kidlit #kidlitart

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jun 8

Everything is a lot, isn’t it?

#kidlitart #illustration

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jun 7

Never weary of painting my whale dreams 💙🐋

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Feb 4

Feeling quite fancy about appearing in my first proper literary festival soon ♥️🐋✨

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Feb 4

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” – Nelson Mandela

#illustration

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Feb 3

Winter light #illustration

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Feb 2

Yep!

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jan 31

Leaving the storm behind ✨

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jan 31

A sketch of my neighbour, who became a painter in her seventies

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jan 30

New Year, New Book ♥️

Jennifer Laughran @literaticat.bsky.social · Jan 28

Also out today: THE CRANE AND THE KEEPER, a nonfiction picture book about the life (and love) of Walnut the Crane - by Meg Pincus, from Smithsonian/Candlewick, with glorious illustrations by @lightonthesea.bsky.social 😍

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...

A picture book cover featuring a white-naped crane and a zookeeper in a pinky-orange ombré landscape

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jan 6

Ohhh hi I totally forgot to keep up with this app… is it still brimming full of #kidlit people here? Anyway, here’s a few recent-ish doodles. How’s everyone been? ♥️

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jul 28

Sparkly recent things ✨

#kidlit #kidlitart

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jul 19

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."- Carl Sagan.

Oh, how I think about this quote a lot.

#kidlit #kidlitart

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jul 16

Our County Durham village now has 32 new published authors and illustrators after the class of 8-9 year olds I’ve been working with all year launched their very own book yesterday! What a day! 🥳♥️✨

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jul 16

Send me pics of your favourite libraries, indie bookshops and children's spaces. We're audaciously hoping for a local literacy space in future and making a vision board <3

#kidlit #kidlitart #literacy

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jul 13

Planning a travel from UK to Maine and Nova Scotia/PEI next summer and very much open to doing workshops, book events and collaborations while there, so feel free to say hi if a Scottish illustrator with whimsical tendencies is your thing ☺️♥️ #kidlit #kidlitart

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Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jul 11

Thank you so much, Debbie!

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jul 11

Thrilled to reveal the cover of ‘Girls Belong in Space’ by amazing author Ashlee Hashman and I, a lyrical celebration of the mighty women of the space programme (including soon-to-be first woman on the moon, Christina Koch.) Published by Harper on March 18th, 2025.

#kidlit #kidlitart

Gillian Eilidh O’Mara @lightonthesea.bsky.social · Jul 11

Ha thank you, my little one literally just introduced me to piccollage ☺️

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Reposted by Gillian Eilidh O’Mara

Katie Dwyer @katiedwyer.bsky.social · Jul 11

It’s #kidlitartpostcard day! I’m Katie Dwyer, illustrator-writer for picture books. I love telling stories about wonder, adventure, nature, and kindness. I would love to illustrator your next picture book, chapter book, or cover.

I’m currently seeking representation.
🌎 katiedwyerillustrations.com

Illustration in watercolor and pencil. Little boy standing in light, surrounded by dark shadows of people.

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Reposted by Gillian Eilidh O’Mara

Lauren Gallegos @laurengallegos.bsky.social · Jul 9

It’s #PortfolioDay! Unfortunately, I hardly ever participate but I wanted to share a spread from You Will Always Belong that I love and was one of the only images that made it all the way through the process almost “as-is”.

#kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartpostcard

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