Illustrator and author Neal Layton introduces his event at the Isle of Wight Story Festival 2025. Everyone’s talking about artificial intelligence but what exactly is it? This fun and accessible picture book helps tech savvy kids aged 6+ make sense of AI and understand why their human brain is so very special.

Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence – and we all have LOTS of questions. What exactly is it? Why is it such a big deal? Are there any risks? And how is it going to transform our lives?

Award-winning author-illustrator Neal Layton is here to explain all there is to know about AI, from the early computers that could only solve sums to the AI programs of today that can recognise human speech and recommend TV shows – and what AI might be able to do in the future. Along the way, readers will learn just how incredible their human brains really are, and what intelligence is all about.

Published by Wren and Rook Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1444975587

National Literacy Trust have made an amazing Early Years writing resource based around Stanley’s Stick, and it’s FREE. Please share with any educators who might be interested!

With awe inspiring music written by Northern Chamber Orchestra

You can find the resource here.

A short introduction to Neal’s upcoming Meet the Author sessions with Hampshire School Library Service.

Spotted in the Basilica of San Lorenzo, Florence… quite a place to find my books!

Thanks for the photo Arena

Lovely thoughtful review of my book The Tree…

REALLY looking forward to this!

If you’re stuck for things to do on half-term and fancy a trip to the beautiful #IsleofWight there are lots of wonderful authors doing events. There are a few tickets left for my event, but going fast… it would be great to see you there!

I recently worked with a friend at Sustrans and Public Health Dorset to help illustrate a campaign to improve air quality outside schools.

The idea was to help children and their families understand the impact of air pollution, what causes it and how it can be reduced. One of the key aims being to raise awareness about the impact of leaving a car engine running when parked, especially outside schools.

They created lots of content- toolkits and info sheets – and  I created the illustration which will go on banners outside schools.

If you want to find out more you can click this link

I thought they did a brilliant job – with a difficult subject, and I know air quality is also a big issue countrywide…