Tees Valley Writers

Rowena Sommerville

Rowena Sommerville is a children's writer and illustrator, who is also developing as a poet. She originally trained as an illustrator, and worked in educational publishing and children's television, and a variety of community projects. Rowena has had three children's books published (Century Hutchinson/ Red Fox) all of which she wrote and illustrated, and one of which (If I were a Crocodile) was featured in the BBC Words and Pictures programme - when the magic pencil showed you how to write a curly ‘C'!

For several years Rowena earned her living as a freelance practitioner and community artist, working in schools and community projects throughout the Tees Valley, and also working as a project co-ordinator for Tees Valley Arts; she is currently TVA Acting Director. Among many other TVA initiatives, Rowena manages the WorldFest, an annual celebration of diversity and world music.

Rowena writes for and sings with the five-woman acappella band Henwen, which performs at all sorts of musical and literary events, including the Edinburgh Fringe. In 2007 Henwen did a national tour performing ‘Happen' - an original work for six voices for which they were joined by Ian McMillan, the legendary Bard of Barnsley and popular broadcaster.