Gadding about town!

I lay here in my basket with some thin slices of cucumber on my eyes because last night fellow sniffers I was out on the tiles at possibly one of the most fabulous private views ever.

The delightful Linda Owen-Lloyd of Children's Book Illustration threw a bash to showcase some stunning paintings and illustrations by Polly Dunbar

This is NOT a picture of me scurrying off with a Polly Dunbar painting!

The private view was held at the divine Daunt books where we were treated to a splendid show of illustrations and paintings nestled among the heaving book shelves.
(Daunt Books has to be visited to be believed, it oozes with bookish delights and the heady scent of hardbacks is positively intoxicating.)

We were presented with bountiful refreshments and set about sniffing out some interesting people to natter with.
My puggy eyes almost popped out of my head as at every turn we were greeted by the glitterati of the children's book world!

Emily Gravett was enthusing about life at the seaside, the delights of a Marks and Spencer dinner on the train and some exciting new projects which she's working on.
Axel Sheffler told us all about his plans for his up coming trip to the Bologna Book Fair with Scholastic (which he was very excited about) and how much his daughter enjoyed Polly Dunbar's books.
Alexis Deacon was on good form and had recovered fully from his recent trip to Woking!
Vivian Schwartz nattered with us fleetingly but was tempted away by a platter of strange green snacks
Sarah McIntyre what a gal !- even more smashing in real life! (you'll hear more from her VERY soon!)

Cool as heck Sarah McIntyre

Nicholas Allan was very excited about the forthcoming publication of his new picture book The Bump
The lovelies from Nosy Crow (in sparkly tops) were there with their beautiful daughters and couldn't wait to tell us all about their three little pigs app... before they all dashed off to get some well earned dinner at Giraffe

The inspirational Kate Burns from Nosy Crow

A charming chap from the Polka Theatre told us all about the Charlie and Lola stage production which sounds splendid.

The girls from The Discover Story Centre were cheerful and chirpy and terribly excited about their up and coming monsters event, collaborating with the ever-so dishy Ed Vere and Book Sniffer fave Neal Layton

Andy Sharp Rights Director and Digital Guru at Hachette Children's Books was there in a sharp suit (I believe he treated himself to a Polly Dunbar original and an elephant shaped cookie!) lucky chap...

Corinne "Go Go" Gotch did a splendid job of introducing us to all her friends

The gang from Carousel magazine   were there after a spree of fabulous Templar events!

 And finally the star of the show, the fabulous Polly Dunbar what a deligthful lady, we managed to catch her for a natter and she signed a copy of Penguin for us - *beams with pride*

It was smashing to get the opportunity to see these beautiful works of art up close! Polly is so super-talented and and all round good egg!  we can't wait to hear more from her very soon.



Polly on the left with the Book Sniffer and a gate crasher on the right