I have long been a fan of Helen Hancock's deliciously vibrant painterly illustrations so when Ella Arrived in all her suave and sophisticated beauty I was, as you can imagine Agog.

"Ella Fitzgerald sang the blues and she sang them good. Ella and her fellas were on the way up! It seemed like nothing could stop her, until the biggest club in town refused to let her play… and all because of her colour. But when all hope seemed lost, little did Ella imagine that a Hollywood star would step in to help.
The inspiring, true story of how a remarkable friendship between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe was born – and how they worked together to overcome prejudice and adversity."

Instantly transported back to a golden age of glamour and smooth ear melting Jazz I was drawn in to what I had assumed was a straight forward biographical story, this was more so much more. At times It's an at times desperate tale of a struggling Ella yet to reach the dizzying success she was destined to reach. Denied access to perform at numerous clubs and bars due to her ethnicity things were't looking hopeful for Ella and her band. 

Enter Marilyn Monroe perhaps the most iconic movie star of all time who as a friend and fan steps in to support Ella and in times of segregation and struggle and together helped bring Ella's music to the masses elevating her to her rightful position as The First Lady of Song. Winning many many awards along the way and treasuring the friendship that never wavered Ella and Marilyn proved you can achieve anything with good fiends there to support you. 

Ella Queen of Jazz published by Francis Lincoln takes centre stage in book shops across the country next week (Or now if you are reading this next week, there's a buy-it link on the right if you would like to grab a copy!) 

WELCOME the delectable HELEN HANCOCKS 

We were incredibly privileged to be able to welcome Helen and her stunning sketch books to the London branch of Book Sniffer Towers yesterday so here for your delectation and delight are a few tantalising photos from the time we spent ruffling through original artwork, sketches and pallet sheets from Ella Queen of Jazz...

Helen creates all her artwork in single pieces painted using rich gauche paints, these are then scanned or photographed, as you can see Helens passion and talent pours out on to the page in bucket loads and this is clear to see when you turn the pages of this lavish picture book.   

Follow Helen on Twitter @helenhancocks 

You can also visit her website and shop here http://www.helenhancocks.com 

\

You can watch our interview with Helen here... Ignore my double chin and focus of Helens gorgeous little face and all the cakes! 

Cakes Cakes Cakes Cakes.... 

And there's more... 

Helen recently spent 3 months in America where she sampled over 100 different cakes! she is now fastidiously illustrating each one! 

You'll find out which is her favourite in the Vlog... In celebration of Helen's passion for patisserie we treated ourselves to a huge plate of cupcakes and vanilla filled doughnuts... You're welcome. 

AS ALWAYS a HUGE Thank you to my side kick and partner in crime Mr Steven Lenton... Who happens to have a new website! 

stevenlenton.com 

National Hug Day with David Melling and Hugless Douglas

HIP HIP HOORAY 

it's National Hug Day! 

What better way to celebrate such a special day than to welcome dear friend of the Sniffer and creator of none other than Hugless Douglas himself Mr David Melling! 

David popped up to Sniffer Towers to give us a sneak peek at some of the development work from his latest fabulous Hugless Douglas adventure 

'Hugless Douglas and the Great Bake Off' 

published by Hodder Children's Books in March. 

Take a look: David Melling talks about Hugless Douglas 

DAVID:  I usually start building ideas by doodling random scenarios of the main characters, then hopefully picking up threads that could lead to a story idea. I can often draw most of a story before I get to the writing.

David: Douglas licking finger 'Whose been walking on MY bed?'

DAVID:  Honey glazed sheep hanging from tree, Douglas finds his missing honey - 'Why are you wearing my honey?' asked Douglas

DAVID: The afterglow effect of consuming many honey cakes.

DAVID: Watching paint dry...(masking out honey foot prints)

DAVID: Last spread showing detail of the sheep as they demonstrate how to decorate honey cakes; rolling out chocolate icing

Follow These guys on Twitter

@DavidMelling1

@HuglessDouglas1

@hodderchildrens 

Visit David Melling's website here 

Find some fantastic Hugless Douglas downloadable activity sheets HERE! 

See the full range of Hugless Douglas books here 

COMPETITION

You could #WIN this bumper pack of Hugless Douglas books by David Melling, including copies of Hugless Douglas, How to Hug with Hugless Douglas, Happy Birthday Hugless Douglas AND Hugless Douglas Goes to Little School! 

HOW DO YOU ENTER? It couldn't be easier, send me a picture of a cake that you have baked! it can be a drawing OR a photo, you can tweet it to me on Twitter @maybeswabey or post it on my Facebook page or even email it to me emma.booksniffer.odonovan@gmail.com 

#huggyduggycomp 

A winner will be picked at 5pm on the 28th Jan - 

SORRY UK only 

A HUGE HUG and a big THANK YOU to David Melling 

and Hodder Children's Books

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam -

Move over Boney and Clyde there's a new mischievous duo in town and they are b-b-b-b-baaaad to the bone!

From the pen of Tracey Corderoy and the brush of the talented Steven Lenton comes what might just be my latest, favourite duo: hilarious robber dogs, Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam.

After falling on hard times and failing desperately as tip-toeing burglars the two miserable mutts hatch a perfect plan to dig into their neighbours pockets by inviting them over for a lavish tea party. 

Despite previously never having donned a pinny OR been near the kitchen, the loveable villains are determined to make their paw penned plot a success. 

Will their plan rise perfectly like a choux bun in a hot oven? OR will it fall disappointingly flat like a soggy bottomed fruit flan? I’d love to tell you but I fear I shouldn’t or I’ll spoil their tittersome plan. I can't help but wonder if Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam might not be better off starting a line in cakes containing files... just saying 

Now I think a good rhyming text is hard to come by but this chucklesome read scans perfectly, and on top of that, Tracey's fabulous text is brought charmingly to life by talented new illustrator Steven Lenton who presents us with the perfect, comical, canine duo. 

Lenton’s ability to design ingenious and visionary characters shines brightly on these pages and sitting and 'pawing' over the myriad of anthropomorphised animals is one of its great joys. (The multi striped, patched and coloured zoo spread might just have to be my favourite...complete with baby kangaroo in the swag bag).

With droolsomely-delicious end papers that are good enough to eat, and a subtle palette that works beautifully on the page, this has to be one of my top ‘tails’ of the year so far ! And on top of all that, it’s from that ‘ever so clever’ team at Nosy Crow.

Just one more thing…now I do like a moral behind a good picture book story and we all know crime doesn’t pay, so dig into your pockets, get down to your local bookshop and hand over the money...You won’t regret it.

Book Sniffer and Co give 

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam 

5 cream bones out of 5! 

An absolute TRIUMPH..The best swag in the bag! 

Pop by and visit Tracey's website here and PLEASE follow Steven Lenton on Twitter @2dscrumptious, check out his charming website here 

BRAVO AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH 

DISHY McLenton