Simon Hutton is a UK children's author. He is mostly known for his popular "Brilliant Billy" series of books.
Hutton lives in Cheddar in Somerset. He is married, with one son and two daughters.
Brilliant Billy
edit"Brilliant Billy" is the name given to a series of fiction books for children written by Hutton. The books are illustrated by Caroline Glicksman.
The character is based in part on the author's son. Billy is described by Hutton as being 'simultaneously confident and self-doubting'.
A typical story will see Billy face a challenge for which he is clearly unsuited and from which he emerges triumphant over his adversary.
Brilliant Billy's Big Book of Dinosaurs
edit"Brilliant Billy's Big Book of Dinosaurs" is the first book in the Brilliant Billy series. It was published in 2007 by Andersen Press. The book has been well-received, exceeding initial sales forecasts and quickly making it onto the prestigious School Library Association Boys Into Books list.
The back cover reads:
- BOY DISCOVERS NEW DINOSAUR! WRITES BOOK! BECOMES DINOSAUR EXPERT!
- Billy wants to do all three. But the harder he tries, the harder he finds it. Billy soon learns that the best way to succeed is to be himself. And what kind of boy is Billy? Why BRILLIANT, of course!
Brilliant Billy Does His Bit
edit"Brilliant Billy Does His Bit" is the second book in the Brilliant Billy series. It is due for publication by Andersen Press in March, 2009.
The back cover reads:
- RATIONING. ALLOTMENTS. DIGGING FOR VICTORY. BILLY KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT THE SECOND WORLD WAR – EXCEPT THAT IT FINISHED A LONG TIME AGO!
- Determined to 'do his bit', he decides to grow his own vegetables! But Billy has never grown anything before, and he's up against some tough competition. How will he manage? BRILLIANTLY, of course!