WIN a SIGNED Catherine Rayner print

Dearest Sniffers I have managed to get my mucky mitts on a wonderful treat - It's a signed print from Catherine Rayner's brand new picture book Abigail. 

I think you'll agree it's sublime - Look at that face! 

To be in with a chance of winning this beautiful work of art please send me a drawing of your favorite animal - Either post it on the Book Sniffer Facebook page / Tweet it to @maybeswabey #Abigail or email it with your contact details to emma.booksniffer.odonovan@gmail.com...

Closing date 15/07/13 - GOOD LUCK  

UK only SORRY : ( 

A fun day out....

Today has been a top trumper and no mistake! And here's why...

I was at near Sniffing melting point at today's ELCAF comic fair in east London ... Sure enough after following a trail of trendy beards and brogues and the wafting scent of gourmet burgers I found myself at the arty comic event of the century!

A whole town hall crammed to the rafters with tables literally groaning with amazing creations. I was utterly gob smacked at the quality and inventiveness of the work on sale and a buzz of enthusiasm and creative passion literally fizzed in the air.

Highlights included bumping into my old chum Harry who now works for outstanding publishers No Brow and perusing their impressive wares, having a portrait sketched by some traveling comic artists and coming away with a bag of treats which are eye wateringly delectable!

Post Comic fest I travelled to Battersea Park with my dear pal (pencil maestro) Mark Chambers on route to the annual Bright Group summer picnic - what a treat to meet such a friendly bunch - mad as a box of badgers every single one of them but that made me love them all the more.

There were sandwiches and mini sausages galore and we all had a wonderful bunting adorned slightly blustery afternoon catching up with the likes if Yasmeen Ishmael , Nicky O'Byrne, James Davies, Gab Alborozo, Charlie Adler,and delightful Ben Mantel! I also got the chance to arrange further plottings with ubercucumbercool Benji Davies regarding plans for a big Sniffer celebration for the publication of his new picture book!!! (Ver ver exciting)

What a day... I'm plum tuckered. And now for bed. Night night x

Levi Pinfold - creator of Greenaway WINNING picture book, Black Dog

Book Sniffer EXCLUSIVE ...

We are utterly thrilled to be able to present to you dearest Sniffers,
Illustrator Levi Pinfold's top #scribbletips
As an award-winning author and illustrator of the highest calibre it was an utter privilege to listen to him speak about the process behind creating these works of art which eventually become beautiful picture books to treasure. (Video to follow shortly)

Here are Levi's top tips...

1/ Draw things that you like – I used to love drawing superheroes (and Marshmallow Man)

2/ Observation is key, really look at the things you are drawing…

3/ Don't confine yourself to a sketchbook – draw on anything, big sheets of paper are very liberating.

4/ Try different mediums – I love using Egg tempera.

5/ Break things down into simple steps then you can draw anything.

6/ Colour effects your mood – be creative with it.

7/ Just doodle – it's quite relaxing
Every challenge is an opportunity and every opportunity is a challenge.

8/ Think about the object you are trying to draw as a collection of shapes.

9/ Look back at old sketch books for inspiration.

10/ Experiment with formats – panoramas are a unique way of working.

Now get doodling!

Thank you to delightfully dishy and utterly inspirational Levi and of course the charming folk at Templar Publishing for letting me come along and meet the man himself. You can follow Templar on Twitter @templarbooks to find out more.

Levi is also on Twitter so seek him
out @LeviPinfold

#Scribbletips
#LeviPinfold
#greenaway2013

A day at Me Books HQ

I have just this moment returned to Book Sniffer towers after an utterly inspiring day meeting with the good folk at Me Books, what a fab bunch of ladies and gents, the office was literally oozing with eager enthusiasm.

If you're not yet familiar with Me Books hop to it! They have created a platform which houses a feast of picture books which you can read on an iPad or iPhone, not your average app malarkey but innovative, creative and most of all true to the original books. Each converted picture book is narrated but also accented with hot spots which reveal hilarious titbits of audio script which will have you snorting your tea with laughter. (You can also record yourself reading the story - what a bonus)

Only launched in October they are already storming the publishing world with their creativity and vision. Some of my absolute fave authors and illustrators are already on board and have found the whole experience of working with the Me Books team most enjoyable.

Days like these where you feel anything is achievable are few and far between.... But do you know what, I think Me Books are the ones to make it happen.

I heartily recommend checking them out at the soonest opportunity. http://www.mebooks.co/