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A wonderful truck book for boys and girls is being released this week…DO take a look and enjoy.  I’ve ‘borrowed’ the blurb from Melissa Iwai’s blog here…about the book and author and, for some, a surprising fact about the collaboration process.  Congratulations Melissa and Anne ….it’s a most fun result of a growing friendship!

I’m thrilled to announce the release of TRUCK STOP, written by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by moi!!  The official Viking pub date is this Thursday, but we are kicking off our blog tour today.  TRUCK STOP is a fun picture book for young kids that celebrates all the different trucks and their drivers who gather for breakfast every day at the young narrator’s family’s truck stop diner.

When I first was offered the manuscript in 2011, I was so excited to see it was written by Anne.  I’ve been a big fan for a long time.  She`s written over 100 children’s books for all ages, on topics ranging from boats, history, mythology, to the first day of school, bugs, to the seasons.  Go check out her collection of books here!  Needless to say, I didn’t need much time to think it over and said “yes” to my editor immediately.

Most people don’t realize it, but usually the author and illustrator don’t meet or collaborate at all on the book.  Exceptions are made, of course, if they are married, related, or perhaps have worked together in the past.  So it was such a pleasure last week when I finally had the opportunity to meet Anne in person.  We had been corresponding via Facebook  for the past year after I turned the artwork in (yes, it takes a year for a book to be printed!)

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Remember how my fabulous studio mate, Lauren O'Farrell (aka Deadly Knitshade) came out with a book of kooky little London-themed patterns to knit? Well, her new book, Stitch New York, has just launched! Hurrah, Lauren!!!



Lauren wasn't expecting Stitch New York to launch until January, but... surprise! Now if you have any NYC-loving friends or family, this could be just the Christmas prezzie you're looking for.




Who could pass up a knitted Holly Golightly? Or a tiny taxicab, or Woody Allen? Find out more over on the Whodunnknit website, lots of lovely photos of the little characters! Here are some copies Lauren signed this week at Bookseller Crow in Crystal Palace:



Lauren's always followed by a media storm, and this week was no different. Here's a crew filming Lauren at our studio, the Fleece Station, talking about her graffiti knitting for Japanese telly. This photo made me laugh, I can't remember what they're all looking at.



And friends of the Fleece Station have also been coming up with marvelous things! I just got a copy in the post of Garen Ewing's comic The Rainbow Orchid. It originally came out as three books, but now you can buy it all in one cover, with a special supplement about it by Garen. Garen's been working on this book for ages, and he's such a wonderful stickler for historical details, this book is an epic endeavour. Find out more on The Rainbow Orchid website...



Here are two other comics I picked up at Gosh! in Soho today: the long-awaited The Silver Darlings by Will Morris, and Recyclost by webcomic wonderwoman Philippa Rice. Will's is a fishing story, set on the west coast of Scotland (not far from where my dad grew up!) and Philippa's is a sci-fi story with some of the characters from My Cardboard Life (updated three times a week!). Gosh! have posted about The Silver Darlings on their latest blog entry, and you can read an article about Philippa (and Luke Pearson - I'm such a fan of his Hilda books) in today's New Statesman article by Mike Leader.



And hurrah for 12-year-old Zoom Rockman, whom Vogue has just included in its 2013 list of 20 people to watch out for. Zoom worked with us at the Pop-Up Festival this summer and keeps popping up on my blog. I hope he'll inspire lots of other kids to realise they don't need to wait until they grow up to make, self-publish and market their own books.



Other than that, it's been very chilly at the studio; Gary and I flap around a lot, dance and sing to stay warm. Here's a frozen little cobweb on the stairway.



We always love making a quick foray to Deptford Market. Here's Lauren with her crafty street-art buddies, Craftivist Sarah Corbett and Moose the cleaning artist. We warmed up in the Rail Carriage cafe and messed around with stuff they'd bought at the market.



Keep an eye on Lauren's awesome website, her graffiti knitting projects always amaze me.

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HOW TO HOLD A CHILDREN’S BOOK LAUNCH

You’re publishing a book so you are bound to have a book launch? Right? Wrong. Of the many children’s books published each year, few are “launched” – at least, not in the traditional manner with nibbles and champagne. There may be a flurry of activity on Facebook. Or it may just be that the author buys herself a celebratory cappuccino that morning, or even, sitting at her desk, suddenly thinks “wait a minute, wasn’t my new book out today?”

I’d never had a book launch. But for my 2011 book How Not To Make Bad Children Good, I did have a book signing at Waterstones in Leeds. As it turned out, lots of people came along, the store sold out of the book, and there was a real “buzz” in store. So when Wolfie came out, I decided to take the next step and have an official launch party.

Waterstones very kindly offered me a Friday evening after the store was closed, glasses for drinks, and staff to hand them out. Other than that (my publisher could only support me from a distance) I knew the organisation was mainly down to me.

Was it a wise decision? A few hours before, with my voice a mere croak from a bad cold, no idea of how many people were turning up, no posters in store, no idea where to park (without taking out a second mortgage), and my nearest and dearest stuck on trains across the country, it felt like a very bad idea indeed.

But then... my sister designed a poster and the local print shop printed it in minutes. My baking pal produced lovely eats – and she knew where to park, too. Suddenly there were crowds of little wolves running about the aisles, their parents were happily quaffing, my voice held out...just about...as I did my reading. People were queuing to buy the books and get them signed. I met some fans of my previous books. It was actually fun!

So should you have a book launch for your book? Maybe. Here are some things to consider.

PROS

1) It’s a great way to tell people about your book. You can invite not only friends and family, but also schools where you have visited, librarians, reading groups, book festival organisers, bookshop owners, journalists and so forth. Whether or not they come, you are still reminding them about you and your book. And when children turn up because they have loved your previous books, that is very special.

2) Media Coverage. A launch event is more interesting to journalists than simply “local author writes book”. I got coverage in the local newspaper, on various blogs, and local radio.

3) Social Media. Again, a launch is something to shout about on Facebook and Twitter, and is especially good for FB as you can post lots of photos. (So make sure there are photos!)

4) Book sales – I suppose this is the big question. Does it have an impact? All I can say is that Waterstones were delighted with sales on the day, and the Amazon rating was right up in the following weeks.


5) Above all, though, it’s FUN, and celebrates the fact that your book is finally, after so much hard work, in print!

CONS

1) It’s a LOT of work. Unless you are in the cushy position of having an event organiser, then you are going to be sending invites (and personal ones are best), writing press releases, organising food, liaising with the bookshop etc. It’s time that could be spent writing.

2) Don’t even think about it unless you know lots of people to invite. Remember, many you invite won’t be able to come. Few people will walk in off the street – unless you are a “name”. And if it’s a kids’ book, then you need to know people in the right age group. If you don’t, it may be better to do a school or other group-based event instead.

TOP TIPS

1) For a children’s event, you need children, and they like to have things to do. My book is about a wolf, so I had wolf-themed Word Searches, Colouring Sheets, Quizzes and Dressing-Up and a competition to Guess How Many Hamburgers A Wolf Can Eat in One Setting (its ninety, amazingly). For a kids’ event (probably any event) keep readings – and any speeches – SHORT.
2) Photos. Press tend to have quite strict requirements for photos. They like faces, looking straight at camera, and closely cropped. Tell your photographer in advance. If using your own camera, make sure the BATTERY IS CHARGED. Ask children’s parents if they are happy for their children’s images to be used.

3) Exploit your friends! You may not be able to make wonderful refreshments, design great posters, take publishable photos etc, but you probably know people who can. So ask them. And then thank them and pay them, if it is appropriate, or give them a lovely present.

4) Cake. You can now order cakes with your book’s cover from supermarkets or online companies. Easy, inexpensive and delicious!

5) Invite a Group. Library-based book groups, brownies cubs, scouts may all be interested. Schools, though, can be less receptive than you’d think – most teachers are busy, and not looking for extra outings, and head teachers may be reluctant to publicise events that only certain pupils can attend. On the other hand, I invited the Friends group from my local park, where some of my story is set, and although the age-group seemed wrong several came along to buy signed copies for their grandchildren.

6) Think About Stock. If your launch is at a bookshop, bear in mind that they will not want to be left with lots of unsold copies, and will order cautiously. On the other hand, you don’t want people who are keen to buy being unable to do so. So it’s a good idea for you or your publisher to bring along extra stock, which the bookshop can sell (and then replace later) if its own stock runs out.

7) For press coverage you need to get your timing right, and you need to write a snappy press release. Don’t assume that journalists will have time to interview you or write insightful pieces about your work – instead write good copy yourself and provide strong images. Send out press releases in the week before and tweet local media. I found one good tactic was to put the press release on my web-site and tweet the link. Send out photos as soon after the event as possible. And finally:

8) RELAX. You can’t completely control your book launch. So long as you are not collapsing drunkenly in the aisles (this is not the publicity you are looking for) you might as well enjoy it!

Check out Emma Barnes's web-site
Wolfie is available from Amazon and other booksellers

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I am excited to be part of the blog tour for  Tameka Brown’s newest picture book — My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood! Welcome, Tameka! *and the crowd goes wild!* Tameka graciously answered some of my questions below. I hope you are as inspired by her responses as I am. Her interview made me want to go …

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They’re here! Seven new titles from Sylvan Dell have finally hit shelves around the country. Over the next few weeks on the blog each book will be featured in depth with activities, author interviews and even giveaways.

           

We want to hear from you! Send us questions about the spring 2013 titles pictured above and we will answer them on our blog.

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After many long weeks of waiting the Sylvan Dell fall releases are finally here! If you haven’t checked out our new releases online here is an overview. We are having an online launch party all next week, watch the blog for author posts, teaching activities and GIVEAWAYS!!

Desert Baths- All animals bathe to keep their bodies clean and healthy. Humans mi
ght use soap and water, but what do animals, especially those living in dry climates, do to keep clean? Darcy Pattison and Kathleen Rietz team up again to explore the desert to find out how snakes, spiders, and birds bathe. This surprising book teaches children about hygiene and how some exciting desert creatures manage to stay clean without the help of soap and water.

 

The Most Dangerous-Dangerous animals from all over the world gather for the Most Dangerous Animal of All Contest. Snakes, spiders, sharks…who will the winner be? Deadly poison, huge teeth, razor -sharp horns, and fearsome feet are just a few of the ways that animals kill. Predators mean to kill. Prey simply defend themselves. And yet, the unexpected most deadly animal doesn’t mean to harm at all!

 

Solar System Forecast-Freezing temperatures, scorching heat, and a storm bigger than planet Earth is just some of the wild weather you will encounter on your trip through our solar system! Get your fun facts along with your forecast for each major planet, as well as the weather on dwarf planet Pluto. Any child with an interest in space is sure to love Solar System Forecast, and parents will love the educational “For Creative Minds” section in the back of the book. Get ready for some out of this world fun with Solar System Forecast!

 

The Tree That Bear Climbed-Everyone knows about the house that Jack built, but this is The Tree That Bear Climbed. What makes this tree so fascinating to bear? Starting with the roots that anchor the tree, this chain of events story in cumulative verse explores many different things that help a tree stand tall. It also lends itself to further discussion with fun repetition and detailed picture clues, stimulating a child’s curiosity. Why does the bear climb the tree and what happens when he arrives at his goal?

 

A Warm Winter Tail- Do you ever wonder how animals stay warm in the winter? Well, they wonder how humans do too! In a twist of perspective, wild creatures question if humans use the same winter adaptation strategies that they do. Do they cuddle together in a tree or fly south to Mexico? Take a look through an animal’s eyes and discover the interesting ways animals cope with the cold in this rhythmic story.

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What do The Most Dangerous and news reports of West Nile virus have in common, the mosquito. When Terri Fields wrote the story of a ferocious animal contest, she had no idea how topical the book would become at the release date.

With more than 1,000 cases reported in 38 states this outbreak is the largest in U.S. history according to the Center for Disease Control.  Not all mosquitoes carry the West Nile virus and not everyone will show symptoms of the disease if bitten. However, it is important to protect yourself from mosquito bites, as they are proven to transmit several different diseases to humans and animals all over the world.

Even if a non West Nile mosquito bites you, they leave behind an itchy and uncomfortable bump. The best way to protect yourself from a bite is use bug spray with Deet, wear long sleeves and long pants when you are outside and eliminate any standing water in your yard.

In The Most Dangerous, children will be excited by the parade of scary animals, but they will be surprised when the tiny mosquito shows up to the contest. Although the disease is not mentioned in the book, it is a great way to kick off a conversation about West Nile and mosquitoes with kids.

Learn more about The Most Dangerous!

Dangerous animals from all over the world gather for the Most Dangerous Animal of All Contest. Snakes, spiders, sharks . . . who will the winner be? Deadly poison, huge teeth, razor -sharp horns, and fearsome feet are just a few of the ways that animals kill. Predators mean to kill. Prey simply defend themselves. And yet, the unexpected most deadly animal doesn’t mean to harm at all!

 

Terri Fields (Burro’s Tortillas, The Most Dangerous) has written nineteen books which have garnered a number of awards including the Maud Hart Lovelace Award for Middle Grades Fiction, the Georgia Children’s Choice Award, being named to the Recommended Reading List for Chicago Public Schools, the TAYSHAS (Texas) Reading List, the Southwest Books of the Year List, and as one of the 100 Top Kid Picks in Children’s Books in Arizona. A long time desert-dweller, Ms Fields has enjoyed sharing her books with children all over the world. In addition to writing, Ms. Fields is also a educator who has been named Arizona Teacher of the Year, ING Education Innovator for Arizona, and been selected as one of the twenty teachers on the All-USA Teacher Team of the nation’s top educators. Terri Fields has worked with students in first through twelfth grades.  Ms. Fields sees the world around her in terms of the wonderful stories it reveals. Visit Terri’s website http://www.terrifields.com/.

Award-winning illustrator Laura Jacques is passionate about illustrating children’s books that focus on natural history, wildlife, and environmental awareness for children. In addition to illustrating The Most Dangerous, Baby Owl’s Rescue and Whistling Wings for Sylvan Dell, she has also illustrated For the Birds: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson, Squirrel Assist, At Home in the Rain Forest, and Wildlife Refuge: A Classroom Adventure. Her books have won several honors and awards, including “NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children” sponsored by the Children’s Book Council and the “KIND Children’s Book Award” sponsored by the Association for Humane and Environmental Education, a division of the Humane Society of the United States. For more information, visit Laura’s website: http://www.laurajacques.com.

September’s Book of the Month read The Most Dangerous here http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/index.php!

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The Tree That Bear Climbed

By Marianne Berkes

Illustrated by Kathleen Rietz

In any given city on any given day, a bear climbs a tree. Have you ever wondered how that tree became so strong, or why did that bear choose to climb to the top of a tree? Marianne Berkes and Kathleen Rietz show you just why Bear decided to climb this tree! Have Fun with the coloring page at the bottom, click on the image for a full page to color.

Everyone knows about the house that Jack built, but this is The Tree That Bear Climbed. What makes this tree so fascinating to bear? Starting with the roots that anchor the tree, this chain of events story in cumulative verse explores many different things that help a tree stand tall. It also lends itself to further discussion with fun repetition and detailed picture clues, stimulating a child’s curiosity. Why does the bear climb the tree and what happens when he arrives at his goal?

About the author and illustrator

Award-winning author Marianne Berkes (pronounced Ber-kess with two syllables) is a retired teacher and librarian who turned her love of nature and teaching into writing informational picture books. In addition to The Tree That Bear Climbed and Animalogy for Sylvan Dell, some of Marianne’s other recent and award-winning titles include: Going Home, The Mystery of Animal Migration; Over in the Ocean, in a Coral Reef; Over in the Jungle, a Rainforest Rhyme; Going Around the Sun, Some Planetary Fun, and Marsh Morning. Visit her website at www.MarianneBerkes.com.

A lifelong artist and lover of nature, Kathleen Rietz was drawing and painting before she learned to write her name. Originally, from Peoria, IL, Kathleen received her formal training from the American Academy of Art in Chicago, IL. In addition, to illustrating Desert Baths, The Tree That Bear Climbed, Prairie Storms, and Champ’s Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too! for Sylvan Dell, Kathleen’s other books include Conce Tu Parque, Little Black Ant on Park Street, The ABC’s of Yoga for Kids, and Prayers for Children. She taught art to children and adults at the Community School of the Arts at historic Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, and through a local home school program in her community. For more information about Kathleen, visit her website: http://www.kathleenrietz.com/.

Comment on this post to win a FREE The Tree That Bear Climbed eBook.

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Thanks SO much to Type Books for hosting my illustrator I'M BORED Book Launch. The launch will take place this coming Tuesday: Sept. 18th, 6-8 pm at TYPE's Queen St. location (883 Queen St. W., 416-366-8973). You can find out more info and RSVP at the Facebook event page for the I'M BORED Launch. To Michael Ian Black fans: please note that the author will NOT be there -- it'll just be me. :-)

If you haven't seen it already, check out this wonderful stop-motion video that Sean Ohlenkamp (Lowe Roche) created, called "The Joy Of Books", with the help of 25 volunteers over four nights:

 Type Books owner, Joanne Saul, was kind enough to answer a few questions for me about the bookstore.

Q. How did TYPE Books get its start?

TYPE was started in 2006 by my partner Samara Walbohm and myself. We met doing our PhDs in CanLit at the University of Toronto. We would often daydream in the stacks at Robarts library about what we might do if we didn't go the academic route. TYPE was one of those dreams.

We call ourselves a friendly neighbourhood bookstore and we mean it. We stock local authors' books. We launch them too. We host events for local writers. We have strong relationships with local publishers. We have a gallery in our basement where we show the artwork of neighbourhood artists. We have a storytime for neighbourhood kids. We host a love of reading and writing program in our basemen called "Word-Play." We have kids from 4 local schools come to the store twice a week for a full program.

We're very proud of the work it does.

What's the best part of of being a bookstore owner? What's the most challenging?

The best part of being a bookstore owner is meeting new people and establishing relationships with customers (and authors and publishers). I love interacting with my regular customers and talking about what they're reading.

I love the feeling of community in both the stores. It's a true joy to be able to put the right book in the right person's hands.

The worst part of owning a bookstore is paying the bills.

Other than the I'M BORED launch :-), are there any other upcoming events and news you'd like to share?

We're so excited about the I'm Bored launch! We can't wait. It's a fabulous book - beautiful and funny too. My son just changed daycares and "I'm Bored" was his going away gift to his old centre! I'm also really thrilled to be part of the launch for Andrea Curtis' book, "What's For Lunch" at the end of the month. It's a fascinating look at what kids eat for lunch around the world.

Facebook Event Page for the I'M BORED Book Launch (Illustrator)

Where to find more info about TYPE:

Their website: http://typebooks.ca/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/typebooks

On Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/typebooks/

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A Warm Winter Tail

By Carrie A. Pearson

Illustrated by Christina Wald

Finally, to wrap up the Sylvan Dell Launch Week we end With A Warm Winter Tail.

Sparked from walk in the woods Carrie Pearson wrote A Warm Winter Tail, a twist on staying warm in the long cold months of winter.

Do you ever wonder how animals stay warm in the winter? Well, they wonder how humans do too! In a twist of perspective, wild creatures question if humans use the same winter adaptation strategies that they do. Do they cuddle together in a tree or fly south to Mexico? Take a look through an animal’s eyes and discover the interesting ways animals cope with the cold in this rhythmic story.

Carrie A. Pearson is originally from Hillsdale, Michigan, and now lives in Marquette, Michigan on the sandy shore of Lake Superior. A former early elementary teacher, she is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and is the winner of the coveted SCBWI-Michigan Picture Book Mentorship Award. Her nonfiction work has appeared in Michigan History Magazine. Currently she is working on several picture book manuscripts as well as an historical novel for middle grade readers set in an abandoned orphanage. Along with her husband and their three daughters (and their two Labradoodles), she hikes, bikes, runs, and skis in the woods, windsurfs, kayaks, stand-up paddles, and swims in the chilly water and writes about what she experiences around her. The idea for A Warm Winter Tail, her debut picture book, came from an encounter with a whitetail deer on a wintry day. Stop by Carrie’s website www.carriepearsonbooks.com to learn about her school and library visits.

In addition to illustrating A Warm Winter Tail, Habitat Spy, Little Red Bat, andHenry the Impatient Heron for Sylvan Dell, Christina Wald has illustrated for a wide variety of toys, games, books, and magazines. From a book that featured hundreds of animals on each page (Look, Find, and Learn: Animals of the World) to games including the Star Wars role playing game series, every assignment covers something new and exciting. In recent years, she has illustrated tons of different animals for books and other publications. Christina enjoys the research aspect of such projects, saying that each new book is a fascinating new learning experience. She often integrates travel to research for her illustrations. She lives in Ohio with her husband and three cats. Visit Christina’s website.

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Just released today it’s the book trailer to Grace Lin‘s newest novel Starry River of the Sky! Already receiving rave reviews, Starry River of the Sky is the companion book to Where the Mountain Meets the Moon which was awarded the prestigious Newbery Honor Award in 2010. Starry River of the Sky officially launches October 2nd but for those of you that just can’t wait to get a copy it is already available on Amazon or, if you reside near Cambridge, MA, you can attend the  booklaunch this Sunday, September 30th and get a signed copy! Be sure to visit Grace’s blog on October 2nd and join in the online launch party! Grace will also be going on a short, 3 stop book tour in October to promote the book. Why such a short tour? Not only is Grace celebrating the launch of her new book, she and her husband just celebrated the birth of her first child, a daughter, a mere 4 months ago! Congratulations Grace!

NB: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon was one of the books we selected to be included in our 2010 Spirit of PaperTigers Book Set.  Each year we send carefully chosen books to particular schools and libraries in various parts of the world. The books chosen seek to provide “multicultural” or “trans-cultural” stories that promote awareness of, knowledge about, and positive acceptance of “the other” in ways children can learn and enjoy. We are convinced of the crucial role of literacy and reading in an education that fosters understanding and empathy. To learn more about our Outreach program click here and to read our recent announcement of the 2012 book set click here.

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So pleased to post the Book Lauch for THE SPARKLE BOX from Ideals Children’s Books and illustrated by master oil painter, and “CAT ARTIST,” Christine Kornacki.    It’s about a lovely Christmas tradition to start in YOUR home perhaps!   Make it your own….

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What a triumph! On Tuesday night, Foyles Charing Cross hosted a party for Creature Couture, a brand-new release by Blank Slate Books, featuring the wonderful creations of the Felt Mistress, Louise Evans. Here's my drawing of the book's designer, Louise's good friend Woodrow Phoenix, Louise, and her partner Jonathan Edwards (aka Jontofski).


(Click on the pic or here to see the black & white sketch. I was trying to play around with Jonathan's way of drawing first with grey brush pen, then black, with mixed success.)

We were treated to a fabulous display of Louise's work, a mix of 3-D characters and photo portraits of others, made to look a bit like an at-home lounge, with gilt frames and tinsel. The Felt Mistress exhibition continues until New Year's Day in Foyles' third-floor Gallery, details here. Do pop along and see if it you're in London! Take time to meet each character properly, every one has a name and a back story.


Austin Flisk and Skeechy Dwippford, 'hosts of the best parties, makers of the best espresso, wearers of the sharpest threads'

I first met Felt Mistress and Jontofski through Woodrow, who invited me along one year to a freelancers' Christmas dinner at a restaurant in Kings Cross station. Louise told me how she made one-off styled wedding dresses, but that she was also making these little monster figures. The first one I saw was a photo of her 3-D interpretation of Woodrow's cartoon character, Pants Ant: a tiny ant who operates an enormous robotic pair of trousers. Woodrow was utterly pleased with it, followed Louise's work closely, and then wouldn't rest until they'd put together a beautiful, full-colour coffee table book documenting the amazing creatures she's come up with. They pitched it to Kenny Penman, publisher at Blank Slate, and he was up for it; the page count tripled (or was it quadrupled?) from the original proposal, to 400 pages, there were just so many good things to include.



Louise and Jonathan are an amazing partnership, they work closely together and influence each other's work hugely, picking up where the other leaves off. You might recognise Jonathan's illustrations from The Guardian and loads of other places. Louise, with her top-notch sewing skill, realised she could make his drawings come alive as figures, and now she collaborates with him and lots of other well-known artists, too, such as Jon Burgerman and Pete Fowler. They've also worked with businesses such as Selfridges (they did a big window display), Nobrow Press (including a beautiful felt version of Luke Pearson's Hilda) and Kirk Originals (note the figures with amazing specs). Here's a video about Creature Couture:




Jonathan was drawing portraits of people in the front of their books. Here's my monster portrait, isn't it Fabulous?! I'm so chuffed! :D



Martin Steenton from Blank Slate introduced this crew, and Woodrow interviewed Louise and Jonathan about how this book came together. Woodrow did an amazing job, some of the best interviewing I've seen, because he knows those two so well and has been passionate about their work for so long. It was fascinating to hear about their month work placement in Japan, about her training in perfectionist sewing, about her shed-full of vintage tweed. And when I read through the book this morning, I spotted a lot of those stories in its pages. Well worth reading, as well as picture-gazing!



The essays by Jon Burgerman and others were quite in-depth. I loved something Pete Fowler wrote:

I think the best compliment you can give or make to someone is 'Your work is you. Your self and your work are the same, it's a projection of yourself.' Louise doe that to a tee, absolutely, with no slacking. I'd like to think that we are all like that, in any circles of artwork and artists that you have, there's a lovely group of friends that inspire each other and unknowingly, perhaps, push each other. Not in a competitive way (maybe it is a little competitive) but in the nicest possible way. Jonathan and Louise's work always inspires me. If I'm ever feeling down, or at a bit of a crossroads with work, or just having one of those days where I feel 'I'm rubbish', I look at people's work on the Internet and think 'I've got to pull my socks up'. But seeing Louise's work never makes me feel like 'God, my work is crap', it's just inspiring.


Rishikish George: George Harrison, made for All Together Now, The Beatles tribute show at Gallery Nucleus, Alhambra, California


Lester Flent: husband of Hester, co-founder of the Furious Rhomboid gallery, Lester believe in the power of the continuous line

Ha ha, the drinks were quite startlingly colourful. Excellent! Also all the jellybeans we could eat. A total sugar buzz.





Speaking of friends and supportive creative community, it was great seeing so many of the people whose work I find inspiring. Like one Jamie Smart, at the party with Swedish Anna. I got to know Woodrow (and thus Louise) through The DFC, a weekly comic now going strong as The Phoenix Comic, and so many people who inspire me now, like Jamie, are people I met that way.



Here's Rian Hughes with his portrait. Rian's work was recently featured in Foyles, a graphic history.



My lovely and super-crafty studio mate Ms Deadly Knitshade, fitting in remarkably well with the other creatures.


Edwin Crepuscule Flenk: Artist, poet, novelist and 'nocturnal romantic'. Edwin's band, The Decadent Prosimians, split acrimoniously after differences arising over styling mousse in 2005.


Flink Strothers and Groobo Tubbs from The Furry Mayhem


Gilbert Twang and Pooky Snooks


Lovely detail on Skeechy Dwippford



Oh, we DO love Tunnock's!


Chris, Louise and Craig Conlan (who drew one of the characters in the book that Louise made)


My fab studio mate Gary Northfield, and comics artist Lizz Lunney

Hurrah! I'm so glad I finally get to see this book!



Piece of trivia: I actually have WORK in this book! Oh yes. It's on page 398, I took that teeny-tiny photo of Woodrow and Louise. That's the one, right there at the bottom of the page. *puffs out chest proudly*



So if you're looking for an amazing Christmas present, you know just what to get! Considering the size and quality of the book, it's a real steal at £24.99. And supporting Blank Slate is always a great thing, they publish some of the most amazing books and comics out there. (Do check out some of their other stuff!)



Congratulations and thanks to Louise, Jonathan, Woodrow, Blank Slate and Foyles for a wonderful evening and a marvelous book!

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by Maureen Lynas Hi Maureen, thanks for having me on Notes from the Slushpile. I’m very excited to be here! Welcome to Paula Harrison, our latest debut author, who has not one, not two, not three, not four but FIVE books coming out this year. The Rescue Princess series is a great concept with lively characters and I'm desperate to emulate her amazing success. So I jumped at the chance to be

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by Teri Terry Slated launches in the UK on the 3rd of May with Orchard Books! Getting to this place – published author – has been a bumpy road. I've seen Dear Me and Dear Teen Me, where contributors write a letter to their teenage selves with advice. I think my younger self could tell me a thing or two. My 17 year old self has kindly offered to interview me about what took so long... Me

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You might see book covers a bit like this popping up all over the Internets today, particularly on Facebook...



Congratulations to Teri Terry on the publication of her debut novel, Slated! And the good ol' supportive team at the excellent Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators couldn't let it launch without a bang. I haven't read the book yet, but I'm heading over to Teri's Slated website and her Author Facebook page and review by SCBWI member Ness Harbour to find out more. I can so identify with memory erasure - that's mostly why I keep a blog - so I'm sure this book will interest me.

(Great idea, Jo Wyton, and well done, Candy Gourlay for Photoshop wizardry and rallying the troops!)

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Hello my fine feline friends, Guess what releases today? If you said Daemons in the Mist, you’re correct! That day is finally here! The second edition of my debut novel is now out there in the world complete with new editing, new design, new cover, but featuring the same fantastic story! So without further ado [...]

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The following titles have each received their FIRST starred review in the

June 2012 issue of School Library Journal (circ: 31,701):

I LIKE OLD CLOTHES

By Mary Ann Hoberman; Illustrated by Patrice Barton

Edited by Allison Wortche | Alfred A. Knopf | On sale August 14, 2012

HC: 978-0-375-86951-8 | GLB: 978-0-375-96951-5 | Ebook: 978-0-375-98363-4

“The imaginative child’s enthusiasm is infectious–kids might well be inspired to ask for secondhand outfits themselves….

The overall effect is a visual celebration of old clothes.”

«HOBERMAN,Mary Ann. I Like Old Clothes.illus. by Patrice Barton. 32p. CIP. Knopf. Aug. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86951-8; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96951-5.LC 2010038292.

PreS-Gr 1–Hoberman’s 1976 picture book is dressed up with new illustrations. A precocious unnamed girl describes her love of vintage apparel: “I like old clothes./I really do./Clothes with a history,/Clothes with a mystery.” With rhymes that are never too sweet, the girl says how she likes to imagine who wore the items before her and how, and then make them her own through embellishments or just through use (such as wearing formerly dressy pants to play hopscotch). The imaginative child’s enthusiasm is infectious–kids might well be inspired to ask for secondhand outfits themselves. The clever, humorous illustrations show the smiling, red-haired girl modeling arm-length buttoned-up gloves, sewing a too-long yellow dress, or imagining the former owner of a school-uniform sweater. Barton uses fabriclike backgrounds in most of the illustrations (which were created with pencil, mixed media, and assembled and painted digitally), making the backdrop to the whole book look like beautifully faded fabric swatches. The overall effect is a visual celebration of old clothes.–Heather Talty, formerly at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, New York City

0 Comments on A time for OLD CLOTHES!!! as of 5/22/2012 1:13:00 PM