But he has come a long way from that child who always sat staring out the window. The former Ben Lomond student never grew out of his childhood imagination, instead he has developed it, culminating in more than 60 children’s book illustrations, the release of his first book A day with Noodles earlier this year, and a second book in the works, about a chicken called Wendy. Mr Gordon’s seemingly lack of focus has given way to a life as a successful children’s book author and illustrator.

The son of Huntly and Cathy Gordon of ‘Cromarty’ Ben Lomond, Mr Gordon grew up with the intention of working on the land. He attended Glen Innes Public School until Year 4 when he relocated to Ben Lomond Public School.

“I have very fond memories of Ben Lomond Public School,” Mr Gordon said. “We had the best snow fights.”

Mr Gordon has particularly fond memories of teachers Barry Burgess and his wife who installed the values of the importance of English.

“The fundamentals of good writing, fleshing out an idea, the importance of a well-rounded story that sort of thing has stuck with me to this day,” he said.

“Of course every story I wrote had illustrations. In fact I illustrated virtually everything I handed in,” he said. “It wasn’t uncommon to see one of my maths exams with illustrations throughout. Unfortunately it never helped, my maths is fairly atrocious.”

While a student at The Armidale School Mr Gordon flirted with the idea of one day being a cartoonist and completed year 10 work experience with a cartoonist in Sydney. But it wasn’t to be for another few years before Mr Gordon would pursue a career in illustration. After leaving school he worked on cattle stations all over Australia. One day while attending a lecture on cow digestion at agricultural college his lecturer caught him doodling and asked the question “What on earth are you doing here?” - a question that would trigger Mr Gordon to pursue his calling.

He moved to Sydney studied at the Julian Ashton School of Art where he also drew cartoons for a variety of magazines and newspapers. In 1996 he illustrated his first children’s book The Trouble with Parents by Dianne Bates.

Aside from becoming a successful writer and illustrator Mr Gordon also travels Australia speaking to students about illustration, humour and visual literacy.