Before I Grew Up

Age range 6 to 9

A story of childhood dreams and adventures, and of the parental love that in seeing you, nourishes you to become yourself.

In this picture book, author John Miller (Winston and George) weaves a story about unknown artist Giuliano Cucco from the paintings and sketches that he leaves behind. The pictures illustrating the story were selected from Cucco’s vast archive. Through luminescent, emotionally rich images, Miller tells of Cucco’s childhood - one of familial love and the freedom to dream - which carries him into the realisation that one day, he will be an artist.

An innovative picture book that begins with the paintings and leads into story, this book stands as a celebration of the vastness of the human spirit. It is also an ode to childhood and the flowering that is possible when we are cherished.