We're delighted to welcome Hannah Shaw as July's guest illustrator. She discusses how it is to be both an author and an illustrator.
Dianne Hofmeyr has no need to worry about picture book authors who don't illustrate being left in the cold. From the perspective of an illustrator who illustrates for others but does write too, there is room for all of us!
My most recent picture book collaboration with Gareth Edwards (The Disgusting Sandwich) is probably my favourite picture book so far. I had far more art direction and involvement from the wonderful team at Alison Green than on any of my previous books. I think the end result shows that. I also feel that Gareth's writing brought out something exciting and new in my drawings that I might not have done in my own work. |
A spread from the Disgusting Sandwich |
Another author / illustrator collaboration that caught my eye recently was 'Oi Frog!' by Kes Gray and Jim Field. That is my picture book of the year, what an hilarious book! What a fabulous pairing. And where would we be without Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, or Julia Donaldson and David Roberts for that matter? |
Oi Frog images by Jim Field and Kes Gray |
Saying that I do think prizes like the Greenaway are very much focused on the artistic merit of a book rather than the story. I also think they often choose books that appeal to adults rather than necessarily to children - but I think that is another debate.
As an illustrator I do admit that overall, I find illustrating my own books an easier process, I have far more artistic control and generally I feel happier illustrating my own stories, it doesn't necessarily mean that the end result is better but I feel this is the case for my Stan Stinky young fiction series. I have recently found a niche with these in 'Pic-fic' (picture-fiction, a fiction book which has many integral illustrations such as speech bubbles, diary extracts, doodles and maps). I write around 13,000 words but I end up doing over 200 pieces of black and white interior artwork. This is where someone like me, an illustrator who writes, has the distinct advantage.
Could Pic-fic be the future of young fiction for reluctant readers? Children are used to the bombardment of images from TV and online media. A heavily illustrated fiction book does pique their interest. I |
Tom Gates by Liz Pichon another example of Pic-Fic |
am a very visual person and as I write, I know exactly what kind of illustration I am going to add. Often I leave gaping holes in my text as I know that I can get my message across as a series of images instead.
I guess my argument is that books are always evolving and collaboration can be a wonderful thing but having a book which has a strong author-illustrator means no compromises. The best books will always be by authors or author/illustrators who keep pace with changes and push the boundaries, bringing new ideas to life, whatever their skills.
Lovers of fractured fairy tales are bound to eat up this one. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf are angry that Little Wolf isn’t big and bad like they are. They send her out to gather ingredients for dinner and she stumbles upon Red Riding Hood in the forest. Little Wolf doesn’t know what to do. Perhaps the unlikely duo can find a solution to Little Wolf’s problem.
This is a fabulous book! It’s a neat twist having the wolf parents being the bad ones, while Little Wolf has no desire to eat little girls. Instead, she likes fairy tales and playing dress up. It’s also funny and unique how Red Riding Hood is reading some familiar fairy tales as she makes her way to grandma’s house. You simply can’t help but love this story. It’s so clever.
I knew Liz Pichon provided the artwork for this story without even looking. In addition to being the author of her own fractured fairy tale, her distinctive style adds beauty and humor to Red Riding Hood and the Sweet Little Wolf.
Children will love this one. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Tiger Tales (March 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1589251172
ISBN-13: 978-1589251175
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.
This coming Saturday and Sunday sees a wonderful children’s literature festival “pop up” just behind Kings Cross in London. The Pop Up Festival is completely free and is all about celebrating books, stories and imagination for children, teenagers and families.
Authors and illustrators attending include Candy Gourlay, Nii Parkes, James Mayhew, Marcus Sedgwick, Laura Dockrill, Sarah McIntryre, Francesca Simon, Sita Brahmachari, Clara Vulliamy, Lynne Reid Banks, Nicky Singer, Sarwat Chadda, Rod Campbell, Alexander Gordon Smith, Caroline Bird as well as the Society for Storytelling and Barbar and the Moomins!
Having seen Candy Gourlay speak at the Federation of Children’s Book Groups annual conference, I personally would make a bee line for her contribution to the Pop Up Festival – an exuberant Filipino-style fiesta, complete with bamboo dancers, game shows and team quizzes, picture book performances and prizes, and a children’s brass band! It’s sure to be very exciting.
To see the full programme visit the festival’s website http://pop-up.org.uk/. Let me know if you go – I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time.
If you’re near Manchester this coming weekend I’d like to point you to the illustration workshop being run on Saturday by Emma Reynolds as part of Manchester Children’s Book Festival. The same day as Emma you can see an old favourite of mine, Steve Cole (I love him as much now as I did then)
To find out more about Emma’s illustration workshop click here.
To find out more about entire programme for the Manchester Children’s Book Festival to to their website http://www.mcbf.org.uk/
A week today the sun comes out on Moon Lane. Even if it ends up actually pouring with rain (the UK has indeed had a very wet past few weeks), I can guarantee (metaphorical) sunshine at the multi-award winning independent children’s book shop in South London, Tales on Moon L
We’re still hoping to go and see James Mayhew at Cheltenham. After that, it will be quiet until Bath Kids Lit Fest, and hopefully Cheltenham after that, depending on the line up!
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Cheltenham twice, library mice? (a mini poem just for you…)
LOL
The Cheltenham Festival of Literature is great for kids. Unfortunately it is quite close to Bath (mid October I think).
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Ah.. got it now. Thanks LM!