Animalium by Jenny Broom and Katie Scott

'Prepare to be completely enveloped in a book which celebrates all that is magical about the natural world.' 

Within the pages of this resplendent book lie a diverse and comprehensive collection of animals the likes of which you might only ever discover in the mesmeric corridors of the Natural History Museum.

The nostalgically fusty and delightfully antiquarian feel of the collection within these pages immediately transport the imagination through the galleries within the fictitious'Animalium' museum. 

Case upon case of beautiful creatures unfurl from the pages, from Invertebrates to birds and beyond, no stone is left un-turned and you will feel notably enlightened by the bountiful, engaging and 'not-at-all-stuffy' facts. 

The numerous exquisite naturalistic illustrations by Katie Scott are as awe inspiring and breathtaking as the creatures they represent and perfectly compliment the expertly and fastidiously curated annotations by author Jenny broom. 

Be it for reference or pure unadulterated wonderment 'Animalium' is an essential addition to all home libraries. It will no doubt be adored by adults and children alike, a true celebration of the infinite value of a beautifully made book.

'Animalium' will be prowling, slithering and scuttling into book shops across the country this September, 

it's sheer physical magnificence will have readers heaving copies off the shelves at break neck speed.

Pre-order here! 

Watch the trailer here...

Follow innovative 'Animalium' creators
Jenny Broom (@broom_jenny)
& Katie Scott (@katiescottscott)
on Twitter 

With thanks to @BigPicturePress

Introducing Zack Rock

With his first picture book  Homer HenryHudson's Curio Museum  set of imminent release, behold in innermost thoughts and an excusive sneak peek into the spectacular sketchbook of my new Twitter friend Zack Rock's amazing sketchbook!

Which three pieces of advice would you give to students graduating now about how to break into the publishing world?

The most important thing is to make sure you're doing work that springs straight from your heart. If you're not, the publishers and public can sense it, and you'll likely not get very far. Of the many books I've sent out, the only ones that have been picked up were those I thought were too personal for anyone to want to publish. So take who you are and what you love and stamp it between the pages of your book.

In the same vein, don't just send your book proposals out to any random publisher. Find the publisher that releases work you respond to. They speak to you for a reason, and will more likely have ears to hear what you're trying to communicate. Also, this is a real relationship you're trying to build, so do what you can to meet these publishers in person. They won't bite.

Lastly, getting published is REALLY REALLY hard. It's hard coming up with ideas, hard rewriting books until they sound right, hard redrawing compositions until they look right, hard staying up nights and staying in weekends to get a project finished. It's hard putting yourself out there, hard dealing with the inevitable rejection, hard to not feel hopeless.

Know you'll be walking uphill against the wind the whole time. But know also that each step is bringing you closer to the top, and everyone who's come before you has tread the same mountain. Be patience, and enjoy the view from wherever you are (I mean it).

Which three things inspire your work most?

Books. The stories in books not only take you to far away places you couldn't possibly fathom, but brings you up close to the minds of people you couldn't otherwise know. They expand the possibilities of reality itself. I can spend hours in a bookstore wondering at the universes waiting behind the covers.

My home (wherever that is). Everywhere I've lived has presented me enough miraculous moments to inspire a book. Homer HenryHudson's Curio Museum is packed with impressions from my old home in Seattle, and my current home, Berlin, is all over my second title. It's tempting to keep moving and just do a book everywhere I land, though I think if I take my cat on one more transatlantic flight he'll murder me midair.

Music. I spend a lot of time alone in the studio while working on a book, and music is the fuel that keeps me running during those long hours. Luckily I spend more time illustrating than writing since brushes are way better than laptops for air-drumming.

Can you show us a page from your sketch book…

Since you asked nicely, I'll show you a few pages from my sketchbook. The smaller sketches are from my pocket life drawing book I take with me everywhere, and the other sketches are from my larger book. 

The Olympics were on at the time these were drawn, and I'm big on figure skating. And dinosaurs.

Readers can find my portfolio at zackrock.com, my blog at zackrock.com/blog, my Facebook artist page at facebook.com/zackrockillustration, and my Twitter account at twitter.com/zackrock. See you there!

BUY THE BOOK HERE 

We wish Zack the best of luck with his beautiful book
and hope it becomes a huge success! 

The Big Blue Thing on the Hill - Creating a BUZZZZZZ

It's always completely thrilling to be introduced to a new illustrator and during my time at Templar Publishing Yuval Zommer has to be one of the most charming and unique finds on my list of top favourites.

Represented by Penny H at the Caroline Sheldon Agency Yuval has an extensive and enviable career at some of the top advertising agencies in the world so it was a great treat to hear he was creating his very first picture book. With his off beat sense of humour and unique and contemporary style it is sure to be a huge hit.

In advance of his inaugeral Children's Illustration exhibition at Hornsey Children's Library Yuval has joined us to tell us a bit more about what we might see in the exhibition and to give us a very sneak peek at some of the work which will be exhibited.  

Yuval Zommer and his brilliant book 

A Word from Yuval: 

"Without giving the plot of my story away, a large swarm of insects plays a crucial part in 'The Big Blue Thing on the Hill'. This actually came about when a very inspired Creative Director suggested I include some Mosquitos in the book... I soon found out that I really enjoy drawing flies and Mosquitos and bees and wasps and dragonflies and basically any bugs! 

I love them whizzing through the book and kept thinking I should used them elsewhere too...so when I was asked by Hornsey Children's Library to exhibit my work the first thing I asked the librarians was how would they like a rather large swarm of insects taking over the wall? To my delight they said yes!" 

Sketches from the exhibition at Hornsey Children's Library 

Here's a sneak preview of some of the beautifully bonkers bugs, beetles and bees from Yuvals exhibition.. 

We highly recommend you fly along to Yuvals show at
Hornsey Children's Library
from
3rd - 21st September! 

The Big Blue Thing on the Hill 

REVIEW

The Big Blue Thing on The Hill by Yuval Zommer

The residents of a peaceful and sleepy forest near 

Howling Hill are puzzled to discover a Big Blue Thing has appeared in the middle of the night.
What could it be? and more importantly how can they get rid of it?

In this hilarious tale the wise but confused woodland creatures try all manner of mad cap schemes to make the Big Blue Thing move on but what IS this mysterious creature! 

Children will love having the upper hand knowing the secret revealed in the elaborate illustrations and roar with laughter as this clever and unique story unfolds. NB: Plenty of howling, roaring, growling and screaching required! 

A winning picture book for readers of all ages 
(This book has a very unexpected and highly amusing ending!) 

BUY A COPY HERE! 

How to draw a raccoon with Emily Fox!

Find out more about Emily Fox and her work by visiting
her website or following her on 

Twitter @emilyafox