I hope you enjoy this quick preview. If you would like to ask a question or need further information about any of the featured books, please click on the 'email me' link in the right-hand column.
Noah's Ark published by Valentine & Sons undated but c1921. All kinds of well known and not so well known creatures are depicted including a Quadda, Caracal, Puma, Ounce, Phalanger, Ratel, Albatross, Secretary bird, Cavy, Cassowary, Margay, Ichneumon, Mangue, Sasyure and so on.
Strangely, none of the animals are in pairs.
Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp published by Faber & Faber, London 1981. The story of Aladdin and his lamp brought to life with amazing full colour illustrations by the brilliant Errol le Cain.
The Church Mouse by Graham Oakley published by Macmillan Books in 1977. The story begins in the Anglican Church of Saint John, Worthlethorpe where Sampson the cat and Arthur the mouse live a quiet and happy life. Sampson has listened to so many sermons about the meek being blessed that he has grown quite docile and treats Arthur just like his brother. Although enjoying Sampson's company Arthur is a little lonely and with the approval of the parson invites the rest of the town's mice population to move to the church. It's agreed that in exchange for a little cheese, the mice will do a few odd jobs, like polishing the congregation's shoes and picking up the confetti after weddings...
The Amazing Adventures of Two Boots written by Ross Lyntonwith illustrations by Brenda Sheldon published by Collins in 1948. An imaginative tale of two boots who discover they can walk about by themselves. The boots are in great demand by all sorts of people, from message boys to policemen, but one person is too wily for them. This is the owner of a circus; a cruel man called Boiler Brown, who manages to catch the boots and force them to perform in his show.
Mr. Happy at the Seaside - A Mr. Men Word Book by Roger Hargreaves produced by Thurman Publishing in 1979. Our son grew up with the Mr. Men books so this holds lots of happy memories for us.
Three of the ever popular Little Grey Rabbit Books
Gobbliwinks of Nonsense Land written by Leslie M Oyler with illustrations by Savile Lumley published by The Shoe Lane Publishing Company undated but c1927. Pamela and Hugh are playing in the garden when they notice a sign pointing to Nonsense Land. Pamela finds it very funny because nurse is always telling her to stop talking nonsense! The children follow the sign and it’s not long before they find three more signs pointing the way to Absurd Nonsense, Stuff and Nonsense and Utter Nonsense...
We've been enjoying lots of lovely spring sunshine over the last few days. The blackbirds are busy feeding their new brood, and the butterflies are basking on the rockery. Spring has definitely arrived in this part of England. I hope you are all enjoying some nice weather whatever the season.
Title: Olive and the Great Flood
Author: Connie Arnold
Illustrator: Kathleen Bullock
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
Published: January 15, 2015
ISBN-10: 1616335920
ISBN-13: 978-1616335922
Paperback: 20 pages
Connie Arnold takes the reader on a splendid rendition of Noah’s Ark told through the eyes of Olive, the dove. Arnold’s expert knack of rhyme has a steady flow throughout Olive and the Great Flood, making the old age bible story come to life. Topped off with realistic illustrations created by Kathleen Bullock, the reader will feel part of the story. A new classic has been born.
Learn more about Connie Arnold’s intriguing writing world at…
http://www.conniearnold.webs.comhttp://conniearnold.blogspot.comhttp://www.childrenbooks.webs.com
http://childrensauthorconniearnold.blogspot.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!
Connect with Donna McDine on Google+
A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist 
Noah’s Ark
Illustrated by Peter Spier
Peter Spier’s 1977 Caldecott Award winning take on the story of The Flood is more kid relatable, at least for those of picture book age, than Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connolly as Noah and wife in the PG-13 spectacular and darker movie variation called Noah. Even Anthony Hopkins gets into the act as Noah’s grandfather, Methuselah. Spier’s version was named an ALA Notable Book, New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 1977 and winner of The Christopher Award.
Peter Spier’s does know a thing or two about the tale, for his telling in picture form has all of the essentials of the movie and is way less scary The two by twos are there in all their jammed packed glory. His ark is very “arky” and true to the image one has of the famous boat that sailed forty days, and as comedian Eddie Izzard observes in his routine, “C’mon, the nights are implicit!” They travel on one of the most famous of sea voyages along with Noah’s family and a boatload of snakes, insects, lions and tigers (caged of course), otherwise it would have been a munch fest! Russell Crowe’s boat in the movie is more rectangular and made from the Tree found in the Garden of Eden!
Two of everything else you and your child can imagine is living together in very close quarters! The sense of claustrophobia in the movie version, I’ve heard, is a bit unnerving, but then Spier’s Mr. and Mrs. Noah do not have an easy time of it either. His illustrations convey in beautiful watercolors, the preparations for the journey, the day in day out passage of time as man, bird, beast and every living thing get along, or try to, for the 40-day sojourn. Even Mrs. Noah grabs her husband in a big hug as the rain stops and the dove returns with a leafy branch from the appearance of land. It is a very human moment.
As the ark initially departs, I felt really sad, and your child may too, as there are animals left behind standing in knee-deep water as the rain pours down and the doors of the ark close. I can imagine those animals nudging each other and saying, “Hey, where do we fit in this scenario?” Scene shifts to the ark sailing hundreds of feet above cities and the land they once sat upon. Very powerful!
But Spier’s telling is by no means grim. It is realistic, closely detailed and invites a child to pore over the drawings and ask a ton of questions. Suggestion: Reread Genesis in the Old Testament if possible beforehand. Listen to this review from The Horn Book Magazine that is a tribute to an ancient tale that is timeless and told specifically for the picture book reader:
Peter Spier’s characteristic panoramas are marvels of minute
detail, activity, vitality and humor; a few of the scenes are
quiescent and serenely beautiful.
Peter Spier spares no detail of the scene inside the ark after the animals offload with the elephant first off! They have to call in Merry Maids, no question!
Since we have a vineyard, I was quite moved when the FIRST thing Noah plants in the new land is a VINEYARD. The scene is simply lovely with a rainbow arcing overhead!
On Noah’s Ark
By Jan Brett
May I also suggest another wonderful retelling of this story called On Noah’s Ark by that wonderfully talented and much touted picture book author, Jan Brett? It is seen through the eyes of Noah’s granddaughter who helps everyone settle in for the journey. Jan’s great love for animal life is evident on every page as she lovingly recreates the passengers on the big boat. Ever one for realistic research and detail in her books, Jan and her husband traveled to Botswana, Africa to see many of these animals in their own habitats. As Jan says, “To be physically close to Africa’s creatures was a primal, rapturous experience.” The panels surrounding the illustrations are taken from the papyrus plants they saw as they paddled in the Okavango Delta.
My favorite illustration is the granddaughter of Noah cuddled up and asleep on a soft furry lion’s mane as the long voyage continues.
I think it helps readers to see the same story told in two very different styles by two picture book artist’s that have the technique to detail the minute moments and the great ones of a story that continues to recreate itself in children’s lives in many forms as art, books, and toys.
ARKS TO GO: THE FLOOD SEQUEL - FURTHER THOUGHTS
Been reading over the Arks to Go short sketch/playette posted yesterday and the more I read, the more I'm thinking this has the potential to at the very minimum, to be a one-act play. Perhaps even - dare I think it - something for the BBC International Playwriting Competition, next year. Most likely it will have comic elements because that's my style but there is room for a lot of serious commentary about the state of our planet.
Right now the sketch stops at the point where the woman, upon hearing that there will be a male specie along with the animals aboard the ark, wants to pursue the concept. After all - no competition for his attention. Re-writing it as a one-act would require more dialogue between the woman who needs a name, Noah, the male, and a selection of characters they meet along the way to acquiring animals for the ark.
Points to ponder:
- how will the male be selected?
Might be interesting for woman to place an ad in the local paper specifying mate for ark voyage.
- how will she acquire animals to accompany her on voyage?
Approach local zoos or travel to continents where wild animals are known to live? Zoos? Perhaps travel from continent-to-continent on the ark, and encounter resistance from various governments who see the ark as a threat
- should the male be easy-going slob-type or up-tight designer-dude who worships money?
-how will she handle the animals i.e. cleaning up animal poop...food...water...squabbles between various species?
- also considering having Noah be the other male accompanying her
- how will people react to the ark and its residents? How will her family react to the idea?
Lots of potential ideas - we'll see where they go.
I'm open for feedback and further ideas on how this story should progress. Feel free to comment.
Haven't decided yet whether or not to continue this into a longer piece or perhaps even a one-act play. There are two characters, one of which can be seen and the other off-stage as a voice-over.
ARKS TO GO - the Flood Sequel
BY ELEANOR TYLBOR
SCENE: A WOMAN STARES OUT OF WINDOW. TURNS AROUND AND GRABS PHONE DIRECTORY FROM A TABLE. CHECKS LISTINGS WITH FOREFINGER.
WOMAN
This is just ridiculous...all this rain... It’s gotta mean something... Aha! Found it!
(punches in phone number)
WOMAN (cont’d.)
Hello... Hello? Is anybody there? Anyone?
VOICE
I’m here – and where are you?
WOMAN
Is this Noah’s Ark?
VOICE
It could be. Who wants to know?
WOMAN
I saw your ad on TV yesterday. You build arks?
VOICE
Whom am I speaking to or with or at?
WOMAN
You don’t know me...
VOICE
...but you know me? How strange
WOMAN
I mean to say that I know you through your TV ads, not on a one-to-one basis
VOICE
That would explain it, then. Noah’s my name and arks are my game (laughs)
WOMAN
Good then I’ve got the right person. Listen...
VOICE
You know my name so it’s only fair I know yours
WOMAN
I’m not sure...I mean, I’m just calling you for information, actually
VOICE
Do I sense uncertainty on your part? Perhaps you really don’t want to build an ark?
WOMAN
I think I do...I’m just not sure... You see – it’s all this rain that we’ve been having. Never ending, day-after-day and then there’s all that flooding all over the world. I think somebody is trying to tell us something if you get my drift
VOICE
‘Get my drift’ and you want to build an ark. You made a witty statement. I like a sense of humor!
WOMAN
So you’ll sell me one?
VOICE
Sell? My dear – I don’t sell arks. I custom build them to certain specifications
WOMAN
That sounds expensive. How much do you charge?
VOICE
Not everything has a monetary value. Now...say I do agree to make you an ark, how many species are we talking about here?
WOMAN
I’m...not sure what you mean
VOICE
How many species will be joining you on the ark? Fifty...one-hundred...more perhaps?
WOMAN
To be honest, I hadn’t thought about – well – taking... species along. Just me, my cat Diamond and Clover, my dog
VOICE
You’re not...taking...any animals? Oh no! That won’t do at all. We couldn’t have that. Absolutely not! Good bye!
WOMAN
Hello? Hello? Noah? Are you there?
(she punches in buttons frantically)
WOMAN (CONT’D.)
Just what I need, to piss off the ark builder... It’s ringing... ‘Answer – please!’
VOICE
Yes?
WOMAN
It’s me again! I’m sorry! You never mentioned anything in the ad about taking animals along! I mean, I’m allergic....
VOICE
I see...
WOMAN
...but I could take antihistamines. Please – could you take my order to build my ark?
VOICE
Perhaps. How many species will be joining you?
WOMAN
I dunno. How about two dozen? Would that be acceptable? I mean, twenty-four is a good round number
VOICE
A hundred is better
WOMAN
A hundred? Animals? What’s the matter with me? We’re only talking about cats and dogs and chipmunks and maybe birds...some deer...
VOICE
Actually, I thinking more of elephants, tigers, zebras – specie
I hope you all enjoyed Harry And Silvio. I finished it up over Christmas and enjoyed doing it a lot. I've scripted the next one and plan to put one out whenever I have the time. At some point I'd like to compile them into a mini comic and sell it on Etsy. I actually started doing mini comics and it's a medium I love revisiting. Now that I have some free time on my hands I've started working on some new stuff : A couple of book proposals, a new send out and some personal work. I've been hard at work on the Twelve Brothers proposal. I have the main character designed and I've sorted out the story board. If anyone has any advice on book proposals I'd love to hear it.
I just read Illustrating Children's Book by Martin Salisbury published by Barrons. It's actually really good. With some great sketches by the fantastic Alexis Deacon. Here are a couple quotes from the book I really liked. The first is on drawing from life and the second is on style, a couple of topics that are pertinent to my blog: " The stronger the drawing (from life ) , the stronger the foundation for experimentation. "
and " Style is a word other people use to describe your work."
The sketches above are from my sketch book. The lamps are down the street from me, every year my neighbor fills up his window with vintage lamps and takes it down at epiphany. My wife took the picture.
P.S. I've added a web comics link list above my archives and I'll be keeping any new comics there.
I love the idea of filling the window with lamps and it looks so colorful and warm. Our window was filled with a very FAT Christmas tree.
Your faces have so much expression - you can tell there are fascinating stories just waiting to be told about these people.
Thanks Mary Beth, when Julie and I walk the dog we make a point of walking by this house because it's so cheery. Did you publish a photo of your tree on your blog? I really love to draw faces.
Hi Eric,
You were looking for Tonya. I heard from her through Facebook the other day. She said she's well and hopes to land on her feet, though she wasn't yet able to say where/when/how.
Do you use Facebook? You could search for her there, just through her name or her (former) email.
Good luck. And your pictures are so charming! I love them!
John Burns (runnerland.blog.com)
Thanks a million John. I'm glad she's doing OK.
Love those sketches. How funny you guys took the picture of your neighbor's house. The lamps look really nice. What dog do you have? I'm a a crazy dog lover person :o)
Thanks Alicia, Benny, our dog is made up of all sorts of stuff, mostly he looks Newfoundland with a Collie face. And eagles feet. And a serpents tail. ( OK, I made those last bits up )
Whoah I love the linework! And expressive, too!
Hmmm I think while drawing from life is undeniably great for learning what a thing is, drawing from your head is also very valid, and sometimes your imagination might know more than your eye.
Have you read Quentin Blake's "Words and Pictures"? I was absolutely amazed to read what he's got to say about these things.
I LOVE Quentin Blake. I just bought Magic Pencil ( you should be in there!) and He has so much to share. I will buy Words And Pictures as soon as possible. I notice that for myself, I draw stuff over and over until it looks like how I want it, which is nothing like how it started.
Ha haaa! The lantern picture didn't load first time I looked at this post, now it did, that is EXACTLY what I always wanted my own balcony to look like!!!
Oh you'll love that book! Yes he's grand isn't he, I really liked the year when he was the Children's Laureate over here, he got loads of great projects going.
Wow Newfoundland and Collie! That's interesting.. I'm sure Benny has the best temperament because those two breeds are so good natured and smart :o) Ha, ha... eagles feet... good one ;o)
Thanks Viviane, that balcony maks the whole street a cheerier, more interesting place. I can't wait to get Words And Pictures. I was so happy when England named him Children's Laureate, I'm optimistically assuming that since Canada is part of the Commonwealth that he's our Children's Laureate too....
Thanks Alicia, Benny's the sweetest dog imaginable. He always looks very serious and sincere.
Am I recognizing Julie in the center sketch? They're great! I'm really really looking forward to a written and illustrated book by you. Can't wait!
ps
did you get your xmas present? :)
Hi Ambera! That is a sketch of Julie! It's great you recognize her. I did get the present, thanks a lot! The Himbeer Geist looks great. What does it mean? Something 'ghost'? Is it a raspberry drink?
Yup, I think it's raspberry. It's from Austria, born and brewed. It really settles the stomach after a big meal...needless to say, Oliver and I had to drink some after every meal.
Himbeere is "raspberry"
Geist is spirit
A Raspberry Spirit should be an unseen ghost that smells faintly of raspberry when it's near. A slight rise in temperature and a raspberry scent.
followed by giddy laughter and memory loss!
We tried it last night. It reminds me more of grappa than schnappes, it's like a shot of hard liquor with an after taste of raspberries. I love it.
Beautiful sketches, eric. I always find preliminary sketches and drafts fascinating.
Thank you so much, Ciaran.
wonderful sketches, eric!
Thanks Matt!