Love being part of the Australian contingent.
Shaun Tan inspired a packed auditorium at Imperial College London.
Shan Tan is such a deep thinker but with lots of humour and self deprecation too. He accepts the frailties of life, observes, is in the malstrom of lifes he illustrates the human condition – its quirkiness, challenges, and that endless curiosity that drives us all.
Robin Morrow presenting on Bob Graham’s work which was great.
Loved Frane Lessac’s session with her colourful, celebratory picture books embracing all cultures.
Loved Mark Greenwood’s earthy, real work with indigenous communities in the West which he translates into significant historical picture books many illustrated by Frane Lessac.
In my own session on Ships in the Field,I explored how my personal story that translates to the universal story of an immigrant world seeking family, love and home.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS were but British academics Marjorie Couglan Editor of Paper Tigers respected e-journal and
Janet Evans Lecturer in Education Liverpool Hope University
both presented Australian Picture books including Arim Greder’s ‘Island; John Marsden’s and Matt Ottely’s ‘Home and Away’.
It was a special day.
Mike Spoor makes characters come alive!
His Dinasaur Cove series published by Oxford Uni Press is especially huge in the UK.
Mike’s gorgeous illustration of Watch Duck is in the Hughenden Reading Room, together with the works of award winning illustrators including Sarah Davis, Nina Rycroft, Frane Lessac, Donna Rawings and the academy award winning illustrator Shan Tan.
I was so happy to meet Mike and asked him to illustrate a new DUCK for me. Even though he had heaps of talks at All Saints Festival he made the time to create my DUCK. Thankyou Mike.
Here’s what Mike did:-
Check the illustration carefully and find DUCK – Mike did this for the illustrator page at ALL SAINTS Literature Festival.
Soooooo……………. excited about My DUCK!!!!!!!!!!
Penguins proudly take their partners. Then the polka they present
Bears, camels. monkeys, penguins, elephants and a joyous collection of animals cavort the night away in an amazing dance in an exceptional new picture book by Nina Rycroft.
Then the bears in bright boleros. (Everyone is most impressed.)
Kangaroos are keen on cancan - Such a night they'd never miss
‘Ballroom Bonanza’ was inspired by Nina’s grandfather-in-law who was once the leader of a big band at Blackpool. Five years to create, those who dance with Nina’s characters will find layer after layer of colour, humour, joy, diversity with a little bit of a game to discover an instrument hidden in each scene.
Nina is one of Australia’s bright new talents. Her illustration of quails and penguins is in the exhibition of illustrations from ‘Ballroom Bonanza’ at The Hughenden together with the wonderful works of Sarah Davis, Shan Tan, Wayne Harris, Donna Rawlings and others.
The first time I met Sarah at the SCBWI Conference and saw her work I was drawn into her complex emotional and creative life. Her art is sensitive and thoughtful like her. I knew she’d be one of those special illustrators and the Children’s Book Council has acknowledged it by giving her this prestigious award. I felt moved by it and love the recognition. She deserves it on many levels. Her generosity to SCBWI and to everyone, when she has her own work and family demands is typical of Sarah.
Sarah gave me one of the illustrations from Mending Lucille. It’s so beautiful and hangs in The Hughenden in the Reading Room with illustrators like Shan Tan, Donna Rawlings, Wayne Harris and Carolyn Magerl. I want everyone to admire her art.
Congratulations to a special illustrator, artist, mother of 3 fabulous kids and friend.
