INTRODUCING Anthony Browne

In celebration of this months Children's Book Illustration Autumn Showcase we are thrilled to welcome the one and only Anthony Browne to the Book Sniffer blog to tell us a little bit about the piece of work in the show which he is most fond of and why. 

Anthony Browne is an internationally recognised author and illustrator of children's books, with more than forty titles to his name. In 2009 he was appointed the sixth Children's Laureate, replacing Michael Rosen and only the second illustrator to hold the post since Quentin Blake. He creates strongly narrative watercolours that blend near-photographic realism with fantastical, surreal touches and ingenious visual puns. His skilful use of colour, pattern and background detail subtly conveys an exquisite empathy for his lonely and sensitive child protagonists (both human and ape). Gorillas feature in many of Anthony's books. He says, "I am fascinated by them and the contrast they represent - their huge strength and gentleness. They're thought of as being very fierce creatures and they're not." 


The illustration that I’m most fond of is 'The Emperor’s New Clothes’. It was made to celebrate the 200th year anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen and featured in a calendar illustrated by previous winners of the Hans Christian Andersen award. So the piece was shown alongside images by some of the world’s greatest illustrators. The Emperor’s New Clothes has always been one of my favourite fairytales and I very much enjoyed painting a Gorilla wearing nothing but a pair of red shoes. 

You can see this stunning piece and many others by the Nations most well-loved Children's Illustrators for sale at the Children's Book Illustration Autumn Show at Waterstone's Piccadilly this October, 

We're WILD about The Zoomers Handbook!

The Zoomers Handbook!

By Ana de Moraes Illustrated By Thiago de Moraes

Published by Andersen Press 

HB £11.99 - OUT THIS WEEK

Ever tire of the humdrum nature of an urban existence? Fancy something a bit more exotic? Then it’s a Zoomers life for you. 

A hit at Bologna Book Fair last year, whispers soon began circulating of this magical mash-up and I have been eagerly anticipating it's arrival in the wild ever since.

The Zoomers Handbook is the stunningly produced debut picture book from brilliant Brazilian husband and wife team Ana and Thiago de Moraes...

This is not a handbook for farmers. Farmers look after chickens, cows and pigs. Anyone can do that. This is not a handbook for zookeepers. Zookeepers look after monkeys, elephants and lions. That's easy. This is a handbook for zoomers. Zoomers look after very special beasts... Discover the secret of the shiger's stripy wool, the challenges of owning a loyal but gigantic dogephant and the special skills of the super-fast horsodile in this mind-bending, creature- blending debut.

Thiago’s exquisite line work has a beautiful timeless Sendakian quality to it and the mixed-up creature combinations imagined by Ana will have you chuckling with delight as her beautifully joyful text jumps and twists off the pages with utter delight. 

Each delicious spread features beautifully bizarre re-imagined creatures and bonkers beasts (a mix of well recognised old favourites and more exotic critters) - Little sniffers will be rolling off the sofa with laughter as they work our which magical mash-ups are their favourites.

This is a Shiger from Thiago's sketch book..grrrrreat 

There are lot's of additional treats within the pages of this book too including 'Zoomers Field Notes' end papers' encouraging little Zoomerologists  to get up to speed on their Zoomer Poo identification, you never know when you might stumble upon a particularly fine example of Dogephant plop - Yikes!

A refreshing and traditional romp of a read and a complete treat to share, we can't wait for more from this dynamic duo. 

Look out for The Zoomers Handbook in my my Christmas Gift round-up in the next issue of WRD magazine. 

Congratulations to Ana and Thiago and the wonderful team at Andersen Press. 

Buy the book HERE

COMPETITION TIME!

To celebrate the publication of this very special picture book Andersen Press have helped us arranged an EXCLUSIVE once in a life time competition where you could WIN your very own hand drawn Zoomer, Created just for you, See mine below - My very first slightly awkward encounter with a real live Libbit! 

Here's how you can enter 

Tweet us a suggestion for a new crazy mixed up creature #zoomerscomp to @maybeswabey and @AndersenPress

OR

Tweet us a photo of your pet and let us know which crazy creature you would most like it to be mixed up with

OR 

Send us a drawing or doodle of your imaginary creature could it be a Froose (Frog Goose) or a Slotter (Slug Otter) or a Manda (Monkey Panda!) The world is your Croyster (Crab Oyster) 

EASY PEASY! 

You can post HERE - OR HERE or you can even email you entires to me at emma.booksniffer,odonovan@gmail.com

Thiago and Ana will pick a winner on the 5th October 2015 and the winner will receive an original one off illustration of their creation and a signed copy of The Zoomers Handbook of their very own. 

The Day The Crayons Came Home By Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers

Published by Harper Collins £12.99 HB

How could it be that this, the sequel to ‘The Day The Crayons Quit’ (which was marvellous) could be funnier, brighter, and even more marvellous than it’s predecessor, well it is, it truly is. This award winning dynamic duo have created a highly entertaining and beautifully stylish picture book, which will be loved by readers of all ages.

Duncan receives postcards from far and wide, written by crayons, which have been lost, abandoned, snapped and melted. Inanimate objects now brimming with personality take on a life of their own, as we discover a collection of previously mislaid, somewhat disgruntled Crayons are now looking for answers.

In his spectacular cape ‘Esteban The Magnificent’ is a particular favourite of mine, tired of the monotony of colouring in peas Esteban embarks on an epic adventure to see the world… if only he could open the front door that is.

Each beautifully curated page features a hand written postcard and a cleverly composed illustration.

A magical mixture of collage, photography and crayon illustrations this book is an unrivalled visual feast and the end papers as always are a delicious work of art.

The perfect addition to any bookshelf.

How to draw a Fairy with Briony May Smith!

Continuing our celebration of the publication of Briony May Smith's Imelda and the Goblin King we have a very special rainy day treat for you! It's a step-by-step guide to learn to draw a fairy just like the ones in Briony's book! 

We'd love to see your creations so please tweet your drawing to @maybeswabey! 

 You can buy your very own copy of Imelda and the Goblin King HERE!