TOTO'S Apple - BLOG TOUR

ORDER HERE 

Toto’s Apple has become a firm favorite in our house, an instant hit with reader and listener alike both barely able to stifle cheek aching laughs at the predicament of a poor (ambitious) worm and a large juicy apple in a valuable lesson in seizing the day.. no matter what… well almost!

With salutes to the likes of the great Eric Carle and Tomi Ungerer and more recently Jon Klassen and Chris Haughton this beautifully designed boldly illustrated tale is deliciously and unexpectedly subversive. 

A complete treasure of a book and one which little book worms will delight in sharing and taking a bite out of again and again. 

A Day in the Life with Toto’s Apple author-illustrator, Mathieu Lavoie.

This is a typical September day in my life. 7 am: the house is awake. By 8am we are all walking to school (the kids, the dad, the mum, the dog, a 13 year old Jack Russell Terrier named Camion [French for truck]). 8:01, Camion's first stop at a tree. 8:02, Camion's second stop at a lamp post. 8:03, Camion's third stop at a fire hydrant. By 8:06, the kids and their mum are in the school yard while I'm dragging the dog to get to school before the kids get in! 8:14, I’ve made it and kiss the kids goodbye.

The mum, the dog and I are heading back home where we both work and the dog sleeps. By 9am, we have had breakfast and are ready to start a fresh day. I founded Comme des Géants with Nadine Robert in 2014. Since then, we have both worked from our own house. Twice a week, we see each other, the rest of the time, we are magically connected via the internet! With Comme des Géants, I handle graphic design, press communications and a few other little things.

On a typical September day, I would probably be working on the layout of a book that would come out in the next winter season. That means collecting the illustrations done by an illustrator and putting them together with the text written by an author, in a layout program, on the computer. Since we publish around 8 titles a year, I work on one book at a time (most of the time). Nadine and I make the graphic decisions together (choice of fonts, size of the book, endpaper, cover design, etc.). When I'm not spending a full day on the layout of one book, I can be working on updating our website, taking photographs of advanced copies from an upcoming title, sending press releases, or working on my OWN upcoming title. And this is exactly what I will be doing tomorrow as I am writing these lines.

Back to the day schedule, come noon I have lunch with the mum (or a friend, or by myself) at home or at our favourite dumpling restaurant a few blocks away. If you ever come to Montreal ask me and I'll tell you the location. The food is amazing, cheap and the owner is very nice. We head back home and work (the mum writes and illustrates her own books, so that's probablywhat she's doing) until 3:30pm. 

By Marianne Dubuc 

At that time we go back to school to pick up the kids. They're happy, excited and we walk back home with friends and their parents. On beautiful September days, those moments are memorable.

I am back home around 4 where I keep working until 5 or 6. If we're in a crunch with deadlines, I could be working after supper, as late as 1 or 2 am. But in September, it would be most improbable. The kids are in bed at 7:30. We alternate daily, the mum and I, for the sleeping routine. After reading 2 or 3 books to kid #2 (kid #1 reads his own book unless I'm reading something very funny), we turn the lights off and I tell a made up story. And once in a hundred, I come up with something that can be made into a book, like Toto’s Apple for example. And then I'm very happy. If not, we laugh at the silly, boring story I’ve just told.

Well, that's typical!

www.mathieulavoie.blogspot.co.uk

 Toto’s Apple is published by Phaidon 13 September.

With HUGE thanks to Phaidon and Lorraine Keating! 

Don't forget to visit https://picturebooksblogger.wordpress.com  

for the next stop on this blog tour! 

Ben Newman Illustrator, on cartoons, sketchbooks and living by the sea...

BUY A COPY HERE 

Professor Astro Cat's Atomic Adventure by Dr Dominic Walliman and Ben Newman hits stores today! it's a non-stop force of nature introducing even the most reluctant of future scientists to the wonderful fascinating world of Physics. 

So to celebrate this momentous occasion we invited Ben along to Book Sniffer Towers to give us a little bit more of an insight into this very special project. 

How has your style changed over the years? 

I find it difficult to think of my own work as a style. To me, it’s like handwriting. It’s how I think, see and solve things. Just like my taste, thoughts and opinions, it has grown up with me. For example, when I started university, I was intimidated by colour. I love colour but learning and understanding it is challenging. It took me a long time and lots of mistakes to finally feel confident and I still make plenty of mistakes even now. Placing restrictions on what I can do visually has been so useful in developing my work as you have to think of creative ways around these self-imposed restrictions. One example of a restriction is that I dont use line in my work so I solve and create things with just shape and colour. I never put restrictions on creativity, just the tools I use.

What was the best piece of advice you received at Art School? And what advice would you give to someone about to graduate? 

Dont be precious about your work. Making mistakes is the only way to learn. It is imperative that you fail a lot. Learning how to deal with that and learn is the most important thing I learnt and tell others.

How do you see Apps and books working together in the future do you see one superseding the other? 

I think both are important and should complement each other, not work against one another. Both offer very different experiences and its a case of getting the best out of each one. There is little point in trying to repeat the same experience across both platforms. I can’t see books ever dying out. The physical nature of books cannot be replicated and our homes would be souless without them. I think there will be more of a push for the two platforms to work in tandem and create a wider experience. (find out more about the Professor Astro Cat app HERE) 

If you could pick out one professional job form the past that you have really enjoyed / you are most proud of what would it be and why?

I was a senior bookseller in Waterstones for about 7 years. I met so many lovely people working there and also learnt a lot about the book trade. I didnt know it at the time but a little part of that experience helped me to create Professor Astro Cat.

Do you find time to be creative for pleasure when such a huge amount of your time is spent creating work professionally? 

Thats a tricky question… The first Professor Astro Cat book was done for creative pleasure but is now what I work on professionally. I think I get the best of both worlds. I wish I had more time to paint and make prints and sculptures but I’m so happy with my job that I can patiently wait until I have time.

Do you use sketch books? 

Only if I’m travelling because its easier. I usually just use loose, scraps of paper to draw on. I find working in a sketchbook makes me feel precious about my drawings but working on loose paper feels much more free and experimental.

Tell us about some other popular culture which influences / enhances your work / music / film / publishing? 

Mid- 20th century cartoons were always shown on TV when i was a child at very odd times, like after the football on a Sunday after noon but before antiques roadshow. I remember how excited I would get after one Pink Panther episode would finish and there would be another Tom & Jerry on afterwards. It was like finding treasure. It inspired me to make work that I want others to treasure and keep hold of for a long time. 

Do you collect anything? 

I collect too many things. I love collecting 50s/60s matchbox labels from Europe, old toys, books, records and ephemera. I have a huge comic book collection but I buy less of them now because I’m running out of space and would like to afford a holiday once in a while.

Is the increased pressure of social media content distracting to you or do you find it a good way of promoting your work? 

Yeah, I think it is. For all its uses (and it has many), the instant gratifcation of posting and getting responses or likes is very distracting. I sometimes watch films while I work as a way of distracting myself from looking on the internet by being slightly distracted. The world doesn’t stop turning and the internet nevers does too. I think they should have 1 hour a day where they just turn off the whole internet for a bit. 

What is the most satisfying part of the book making process and what’s the most frustrating? 

It really comes in waves. You start a book… yay! You realise that it takes ages to solve the bit before you can start drawing… boo! Problem solved, now you can start drawing… yay! You can’t think of a way to visually solve some of the pages and waste 2 days on it… boo! and so on and so on. It is fun though and always a big learning process. However, holding the finished book in your hand afterwards though is very satisfying but not as satisfy as seeing someone else enjoying it.

If you could collaborate with ANY other children’s author or illustrator who would you choose and why? 

I think Michael Rosen is a fantastic human being, activist, educator and writer. So him, i guess.

Tell us about 5 things you loved as a kid which have made you the grown-up you are today. 

1. The Pink Panther
2. American comic books
3. Jm Henson
4. My sister
5. My gran’s neighbour’s cat called Fluffy

Does the environment / town / city in which you work influence your creativity/style? 

Yeah, I think it does. I lived in Bristol for over 10 years where I went to university and then started my career. I knew lots of illustrators and musicians there and it was very inspiring. The people I met there had a big impact on me and my work which set me on the right track.

I lived in London for 3 years and it was amazing. In someways, it was a test to see if I could afford to live there and draw for a living. The people around me were working so hard at such a high level that it rubs off on you and pushes you harder creatively.

I now live in Hastings and am much more self contained. Being able to see the sea everyday is really calming. I know what I want to do now and I’m in an environment where I have space and time to enjoy doing them. 

VISIT BEN'S WEBSITE HERE 

The Sea Tiger - By Victoria Turnbull

Like a gently glimmering picture book pearl nestled within an oyster The Sea Tiger is the epitome of classic becoming contemporary, such a deeply expressive and breathtakingly beautiful book is washed ashore via the exquisite brush work of Cambridge MA graduate and  AOI New Talent award winner Victoria Turnbull. 

With delicate rippling echoes of Rackham and Sendak, Victoria has created what is without a doubt one of the most visually satisfying picture books I have had the good fortune to pour over. It is quite simply heart stoppingly beautiful and each stand alone spread practically iconic in it's ability to perfectly depict the story as it unfolds. 

Her use of a muted sepia and teal pallet brings draw the reader to the deepest depths of the briny ocean upon where with soft rumbling tones we meet our narrator, The Sea Tiger, a comforting and protective character and sole companion of Oscar the merchild. 

With an exhilarating flick of a fin and a swoosh of bubbles we are whisked away to join the pair in a magnificent celebration of friendship and exploration as we discover together the most extraordinary places. Swooping through circus performances, spinning on carousels and contemplating the world under a star studded sky. 

A story which sensitively explores relationships, exclusion, inclusion, acceptance, the pure joy of youth, the thrill of discovery, and eventually saying goodbye. 

Victoria Turnbull has created an unparalleled showcase of illustration and depiction of friendship in its purest form. 

A complete classic now and many many years in the future. 

We can't wait t o see what she creates next! 

Follow Victoria on Twitter @vic_turnbull

Pre-order The Sea Tiger here - Publishing 1st June

Tom McLaughlin and his marvellous Story Machine

                                

The Story Machine - REVIEW

Just before Christmas a smart little seasonal elf delivered a very special preview PDF into my in box - (Always such an utter treat to get my peepers laid upon something before I see it in book form) It was the brand new picture book by Sniffer chum Tom McLaughlin. It's called 'The Story Machine' and is heartily endorsed by none other than that Oliver Jeffers chap.  

We'll the cover says it all doesn't it? - Absolute inspiration in picture book form, I was scrabbling for my Tupperware crayon box almost before I'd even finished the story, and I guess that's the pure unadulterated essence picture books, triggering impossible thoughts and inspiring as yet unexplored ideas. 

Join Elliot as he discovers a magnificent old fashioned typewriter, in turn unlocking the wonder of discovering words and creating stories. However this magical discovery isn't all plain sailing and Elliot realises that his talent for drawing pictures in collaboration with his wonderful Story Machine mean he can explore the outer limits of his imagination and beyond. 

Words and pictures weave and swirl across the pages in a dreamlike fashion as the pair set about creating wonderful timeless stories together. 

A fantastically encouraging story for people young and old who struggle with words and spelling but are invigorated by stories and storytelling.  The Story Machine is a must have, especially for those young readers just beginning to experiment with reading and writing on their own. It's the beginning of a fantastical, never ending adventure and this is a great way to start! 

Tom is an insightful author with a spectacular talent for creating beautiful illustrative spreads which draw you hook, line and sinker straight into the heart of a book. 

GRAB A COPY HERE .. or in your local book shop! 

We are most honoured and chuffed to bits that clever old stick Tom McLaughlin has agreed to come and visit Book Sniffer Towers, his very first picture book The Diabolical Mr Tiddles has always been a tip top fave. 

                                  

PRESENTING - Tom McLaughlin

                             

How would your children describe you?

I have asked Harry, my 6-yr-old son and after much thinking, and scratching his head, he said ‘..….nice’.

Describe yourself as a child in 5 words? 

Shy, nervous, daydreaming, hat wearer.

Can you tell us a joke? 

Q: What’s the first sign of madness?

A: Suggs coming up the driveway. BOOM BOOM!

What is your earliest memory?

I remember being at my Nan’s eating chops and mash under the coffee table watching Laurel and Hardy on the TV. I used to watch a lot of those shows when I was little.

Why is it important to encourage children to enjoy books and reading?  

Everything starts from reading. Whether a child goes on to be an accountant or an astronaut, everyone needs to read. The only way to do that is by having children fall in love with words.

About The Story Machine / your work - 

Tells us a little bit about your new book?

It’s about a boy who draws pictures with words. He finds a typewriter and wants to make stories, but because he can’t spell very well, so he decides to draw stories out of letters instead.

The book is about how how frustrating it can be if you’re not good at writing, but yet have stories to tell inside you. being dyslexic it’s how I felt as a child.

Who would this story appeal to? 

Hopefully as many people as possible

Which other illustrators work do you admire? 

If you could illustrate one children's classic which would you choose? 

How long did it take you to develop Elliot as the lead character in The Story Machine? 

Corny I know, but it came to me while I was asleep at 5am. I had an image of a boy playing a typewriter the was some would play a piano, but instead of words flying out, pictures did. By the time 7am came around, I had the whole thing in my head.

Which other author would you like to collaborate with?

I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate with Caryl Hart, Curtis Jobling and Michelle Robinson, anyone else is a bonus!

Tom and Michelle Robinson  

What are your thoughts on the future of digital publishing?

Anyway to get more people reading is fine by me. I have to admit though, I like how a book feels in my hand. It feels right.

What's the strangest question you've ever been asked at an event? 

Are you Roald Dahl? I took a chance and said ‘yes’.

If you could invent any machine what would you invent and why? 

Hmm this is a hard one. I’m still waiting on the flying skateboard from Back to the Future.

                          

Or perhaps it should be a mug that keeps your tea warm, or what about a pair of disco trousers. Yes, definitely the last one!

                                                 

What can you see from your studio window? 

The sky. It’s usually grey, but occasionally blue.

what will you be working on next? 

I’m collaborating with Disney on a TV project, I’m writing and illustrating my first children’s novel for Oxford University Press, as well as writing and illustrating picture books for Bloomsbury and Simon & Schuster.

With HUGE thanks to Tom - 

You can follow him on Twitter! @_TomMcLaughlin 

AND you might also see fit to pop along to visit Tom's fabulous website http://www.tommclaughlin.co.uk/