BOOK LOVE: CHILDREN'S BOOK

Oh wow. This book is so beautiful. I have looked at it so much since it arrived and we have read if for bedtime every night this week. It was well worth splashing out the money for the hardback cover as it is definitely a keeper. The book is called 'Wild' by new author/illustrator to the scene Emily Hughes. It is published by Flying Eye Books and the finish on it is very lovely. Nice paper and cloth binding (a favourite of mine - such a binding geek!) Anyway the story is about a little girl living in the wild having been brought up and taught everything she knows by the animals that live there.

However soon she is whisked off to live in 'civilasation' but of course she doesn't like the way they live and vice versa. Find out what happens when they try and teach her the 'correct' ways. The story is simply written but poignant, and the illustrations just stunning. Plenty to look at in the detail and a lovely feeling of the 70s - a little Richard Scarry esque. I can't wait for more books by this new talent.

AND ALSO!!! Just 8 days left to link up any great toddler proof recipes you may have tucked up your sleeve. I've had 2 lovely links left already. I will be posting another recipe next week and testing out one of the ones left for me. An easy mid week number coming up, for all the family!

FEATURED

Hello, I'm up to my eyeballs in work. Which is great, but I'm drinking a lot of tea (and of course eating too many biscuits as they go hand in hand...) and not really getting round to posting all the amazing DIY things I wanted to show you. Anyway I digress, hopefully I'll be able to do that later this week. For now I wanted to swing in and say I'm interviewed on this wonderful blog as part of National Storytelling Week. They are also hosting a giveaway on their facebook page where you can win a copy of my book 'The Girl with the Bird's Nest Hair'. So make sure you pop on over there, or to my facebook page and 'like' it so I can let you know the details later this week!

BEAR DESPAIR

Simply love this wordless book about a Bear trying to get back his stolen teddy bear. It is the 6th title in the range of 'story without words' series from Enchanted Lion Books. Wonderful illustrations from French illustrator Gaetan Doremus with just the right level of dark humour to them. We can all relate to the desperation Bear feels and the fact that he'll stop at nothing to get his beloved teddy bear back. I particularly like the accumulating animals in the bear's stomach and the interaction between them. Stunning colour palette and who'd have thought that cross hatching could look so darn good?

 

Fun to read, and plenty to discuss with the little one too.

LITTLE BIG BOOKS

Super exciting post arrived today! A while ago I was asked to contribute to a German publication called Gestalten. They were compiling a book of illustrations for children's picture books. It was very exciting to be asked to contribute as the publishers have a great catalogue full of wonderfully designed books. You should check out their website here. The book I feature in is called "little big books - illustrations for children's picture books" the link to the book is here. It is a glorious book if you like illustration and of course in particular children's book illustrations. It has several great interviews, one with Kitty Crowther who's work I really admire and one with Martin Salisbury who's writings on children's books I've mention before. I'm completely stoked to be in the same book as many great illustrators I admire. It feels good to blow my illustration trumpet rather than my rather boring Mum one once in a while ;)

little old me

oliver jeffers

tom schamp

marc boutavant 

kevin waldron

beatrice alemagna

camilla engman

REVIEW

Stumbled across this very nice blog with a fabulous collection of children's books. Very happy to see my book reviewed so nicely here, and amongst some illustrators I so admire! Would like to own many books on this site, I have a few, but can always add to the growing collection and the heaving shelves!

This one, and this one look particularly good. Maybe on Stanley's (and mine!) Christmas list...

Don't forget, just 5 days left to enter my giveaway!

BREED

no, this isn't a post about wanting another new baby...i'm sure that one will come. maybe not just yet though! this is about me being featured in new on-line magazine 'BREED'. my children's book The Girl With The Bird's Nest Hair is reviewed here. And the whole magazine can be found on line here. They say they are "an on-line magazine for discerning parents who think beyond cute. Breed explores the culture of family and celebrates individual thought, through photography, art, illustration and writing."

It is very nice to be included, and next to some amazing and talented authors and illustrators. it is worth checking out - a very clean and graphic look - makes a change from other parenting magazines.