The Liszts by Kyo MacLear and Júlia Sardà

The Liszts by Kyo MacLear and Júlia Sardà and is one of the most intensely intriguing books to appear on my shelf in ever such a long time, the mysterious jewel-like cover reveals a deliciously dark  hauntingly insular family of avid list makers. 

From David Bowie songs to winged insects and exotic illnesses, everything but everything is meticulously added to each family members preferred list..... that is until a strange unexpected visitor arrives one day, un-noticed by most of the family but embraced by the youngest. A prophetic message about living in the moment and emerging yourself in life. 

The uniquely sophisticated illustrations demand to be poured over as if the reader were observing the story unfolding through a crack in the doorway. 

Celebrating the joy of spontaneity 

The Liszts is utter perfection and a classic in every sense. 

WIN A COPY! 

Win a copy of one of this year’s most unique and 

spellbinding picture books, 

The Liszts by Kyo Maclear and Júlia Sardà!

So, what can you do to win a copy of this stunning book? Well, we want to see your lists! Specifically, a list of things that bring you joy!

The Liszts make lists of things both usual and unusual, like lists of fun things to do, dreaded chores and the greatest football players of all time. Your list can be as short or as long as you like, but you’ve got to get creative.

Share your list of things that make you happy on Twitter with the hashtag #TheLiszts and don’t forget to tag @maybeswabey!

This competition is UK only and will close on 15^th December 2016, after which three winners will be chosen.

With HUGE thanks to Harriet at Andersen Press for helping to organise this fabulous competition! 

Find out more about illustrator Júlia Sardà  HERE 

Find out more about author Kyo MacLear HERE 

Kyo Maclear is a self-professed spork—her father is British and her mother is Japanese. She was born in England, but moved to Canada at a young age. Spork, the story of a mixed kitchen utensil and Kyo’s debut book for children, was originally conceived with her husband to celebrate the birth of their first child. Kyo now resides in Toronto where she shares a home with two sons, two cats, a musician and a truckload of books.

In addition to writing for children, Kyo is also a novelist and widely published essayist. She is a member of the Writer’s Union of Canada; the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP); the Canadian Children’s Book Centre; IBBY-Canada; and the Association for the Study of Literature and Environment. She is represented by Jackie Kaiser of Westwood Creative Artists.

SHAZAAAaam - Life is Magic by MAGNIFICENT Meg McLaren

Buy a copy HERE 

ALAKAZAM and piff paff poof, 

It's almost here! 

Life is Magic by Meg McLaren

publishes this week!

I have been waiting years for this book, literally YEARS, I first spotted Meg's exquisite work whilst browsing the magical world of Twitter, ever since I've been completely smitten. 
I was a thousand million miles over the moon when I heard that brilliant Libby Hamilton at Andersen Press had finally pulled this magnificent book out of the big publishing Top Hat. 
Meg's illustration style is delicious, cute but not too cute, cool yet uniquely accessible and full full FULL to the brim with clever humour and cheering charm. 

Life is Magic is nothing short of perfection, featuring a merry band of good-willed bunnies who belong to famous magician Monsieur Lapin. 
The great magician needs a new assistant and he thinks he knows just the rabbit for the job, Houdini is everything a good magicians assistant needs to be, he LOVES magic, he's good at looking after his fellow bunnies and he is very VERY enthusiastic.....What could possibly go wrong? Mayhem and back stage anarchy ensue in this picture perfect celebration of the wonderful world of magic. 

Although it is only March, 2016 has already been an interstellar year for children's books and in terms of book design Life is Magic is the creme de la creme. 

The attention to detail from the dust jacket with it's 'make your own magic trick' to the the hardback casing and the tiny advertisements dotted throughout, this book is an example of the love, passion and thought that goes into producing a truly magnificent book for children and adults alike. (Congratulations to all involved) 

Click HERE to learn how to draw your very own bunny! 

Click on the button in the right hand banner

 to visit Meg's website. 

Follow Meg on Twitter @tinyrexwrecks 

Visit the Andersen Press Website

A wolf in bunny's clothing... SUSPICIOUS?

The award for MOST eye-catching cover goes to....

Wolfie the Bunny! What a treat and the insides are even better.

A beautifully graphic and bold illustration style from Zachariah Ohara works perfectly alongside the text  beautifully crafted by Ame Dyckman in this hilarious tale of confused identity, vegetarianism and supporting your local independent trader. 

When the Bunny Family arrive home to find a small but hugely adorably fluffy wolf cub on their doorstep they are duty bound to provide the little chap with a loving home. Dot Rabbit is a little more cautious because WHO ON EARTH would adopt a meat eating predator and not expect to get EATEN!!!!??? 

Sibling rivalry escalates as Wolfie grows up to become the perfect son, much to Dot and her friends dismay. Dot remains unconvinced until one fateful trip to the co-op when the circle of life almost see's the untimely demise of one of our heroes. 

Little readers will love having an insight into what might happen as the story unfolds and especially relish in the parents being non-the-wiser.

Beautifully subtle, unbearably stylish and full of fun! Perhaps not one for preparing a child for the arrival of a new sibling... unless also accompanied by plenty of carrots. 

LOOK OUT FOR THE SLOTH SHOP KEEPER! Perfection!  

BUY THE BOOK HERE 

Are you ready for the Grande Reveal?...

We are totally thrilled, profoundly proud and completely honoured to be able to exclusively reveal the cover for Meg Mclaren's brand new picture book with Andersen Press 

'Life is Magic' 

So with a giant drum-roll, spectacular tooty fanfare and a thousand funny bunnies..ABRACADABRA and ALAKAZAM ..... here it is! 

TA-DAAAAAA

We can't wait to see this beautiful debut picture book in real life, but we all have to wait a teeny bit longer...Sigh Publishing in March 2016!

Until then here are some other sneak peeps from inside the book too... What a treat. Bravo Meg and the team at Andersen Press. 

  

Meg is just an absolute treasure... Roll on the next book! 

FOLLOW Meg on Twitter @tinyrexwrecks and visit her brand new website megmclaren.com

Find Andersen Press on Twitter here @AndersenPress 

The Yes by Sarah Bee and Satoshi Kitamura

 

A creature of an unspecified identity embarks on a unique journey across a visually stunning abstract landscape in this epic and unexpected addition to our bookshelf.

A hopeful tale of mindfulness, determination and hope begins as The Yes is born into a cosy, safe and happy environment, but The Yes has a yearning which becomes impossible to ignore and leaves to make a pilgrimage to ‘Where’.

It slowly transpires that The Where is a place inhabited by No’s, big one’s and smalls ones but each and every one of them persistent and unforgiving. 

The yes is big and strong and determined – will the Yes overcome the No’s and succeed in making it to the Where.

This thoughtful and imaginative text written by Sarah Bee is beautifully complimented by Satoshi Kitamura’s subtle yet powerful illustrations.

 

ABOUT SARAH: 

 

Sarah Bee was born by the Thames and lives in east London with a big dog and an even bigger eucalyptus. She mostly writes at night, mostly. The Yes is her debut picture book. 

Follow Sarah on Twitter - @sarahcrbee

and visit her website here  

With THANKS to Andersen Press who kindly sent me this book for review