Creating street scenes at Octavia's Bookshop

Here's some pics of a crazy street scene from an event I did at Octavia's bookshop in Cirencester. Almost every child who came to the shop contributed something to the picture.

My favourite shop has to be the Sausage Dog Coat and Sock Shop! If only we had one of those locally...

I did a similar themed event at the American School in London, which went down a storm. They all did some beautiful drawings.

Bump!

Ok, so I'll own up! The reason I haven't been blogging as much as I should (and the reason I may not be blogging so much in the future) can be explained in this doodle:

Yup, I'm having a baby! It's due in December which means I am frantically trying to meet deadlines and get as much work done before I give birth.

I must admit I'm kind of terrified but also very excited. Don't worry I'm not planning to give up work all together, I just might be a little distracted for a while.

In fact there's more than just babies to look forward to in 2013 and beyond.

I'll be promoting my new FICTION (Yes fiction!) book, written and illustrated entirely by me. I am working on the illustrations and final draft at the moment. It's all about a SEWER RAT called Stan Stinky (will be published by Scholastic) and I'm hoping it will be very funny, especially if you're 7-9 years old.

There will also be the final Harper Collins, Ivan Brett CASPER CANDLEWACKS book to look forward to as well as various exciting new fiction book projects I'm working on for Walker Books.

What else? Well I'll be illustrating another fab Frances Lincoln, SEAN TAYLOR picture book (this will be our 6th book together) because last month I finished the illustrations for our 5th book the very silly WE HAVE LIFT OFF! by Sean Taylor. Out in 2013!

So, although I may not be able to do so many events next year, I will definitely be in touch about new books and doing my best to keep calm and carry on!

If you want to come meet me and the bump, I'll be taking part in the following EVENTS this autumn:

SATURDAY 8th September 11am : Octavia's BOOKSHOP, Cirencester- Signing and activity morning.

WEDNESDAY 10th October 4 - 4:45pm: Cheltenham Literary Festival- School For Bandits Party!

WEDNESDAY 31st October 11:45 - 12:45: Newport Festival Big READ at the Newport Centre. This will be a front led session with Reading, drawing and games!

 ( ...and the last chance to meet me before I pop!)

It's Polly!

Barrington Stoke, who are publishing the two Julia Donaldson young reader books I've illustrated, have made a life size polly doll!
 

In the story THE SNAKE WHO CAME TO STAY, Polly opens a holiday home for pets, but she doesn't bet on losing one of the more slippery characters in her care!

Here's my drawing of Polly...

The Snake who came to Stay (Barrington Stoke -Little Gems) will be published in September 2012 and is perfect for children who have dyslexia or struggle with reading.

Double-Trouble Signing at Stroud Bookshop

Calling all Gloucestershire locals!

On the 21st of July at 11:30 (ooh that's NEXT Saturday!)

Myself and Sean Taylor will be signing our brand new picture book WHO ATE AUNTIE IRIS at the Stroud Children's Bookshop, 10, Union St, Stroud, Gloucestershire 01453 750055

Sean lives in Brazil most of the year so this is a once in a blue moon opportunity to meet the both of us together.

Come along, have a chat, buy a book! Looking forward to meeting you.

Who Ate Auntie Iris- Shortlisted for Junior Magazines Picture Book of 2012

The Junior Design Awards shortlisted Who Ate Auntie Iris for their best picture book 2012 category.
The winner was Press Here by Hervé Tullet
Still, fab to be shortlisted!


http://www.juniormagazine.co.uk/

Review by Catherine O'Dolan:
There's a miscellany of roguish tenants in the apartment block where Auntie Iris (a chincilla) resides with her family. On the first floor, there's a grumpy clans of grizzly bears; on the second floor, there's a toothsome crocodile, and on the third floor, a crew of drooling wolves who look intent on making mischief. With a bunch of neighbours like this, it's no wonder that Iris's young nephew is sent into something of a tizz when Iris disappears, and all that's left is her hat! But as he quizzes all the neighbours, they each plead ignorance of her whereabouts: the bears have been busily watching their favourite Porridge Chef on TV; the crocodile has been entertaining a coterie of pals in his new hot tub, and the wolves have been practising their yoga.

Turns out that Iris has actually been getting aquainted with her brand new neighbours, a burly family of lions – though she's not sure she should accept their invitation: “We'd very much like to ask you around, and have you all for a meal!”

Children will enjoy the playful portrayl of different animal stereotypes, as well as the fun double entendre in the lion's words, especially as Hannah Shaw's perfect illustrations give them a gleeful glint in their eyes!

Who Ate Auntie Iris? by Sean Taylor and Hannah Shaw (Frances Lincoln, £11.99).

Who Ate Auntie Iris? Come and find out!

Cheltenham types, Saturday the 7th of April from 10:30 onwards (until about 2ish) I'll be in Cheltenham Waterstones signing copies of Who Ate Auntie Iris?



I'll be drawing lots of scary wild animals too, so come join me, get a signed copy and maybe even draw your own animal.

I'm looking forward to meeting you!

Happy Easter.

World Book Day Visits

I've been so busy I've hardly had time to update my blog, as well as the new books I'm working on I've been visiting schools for World Book Day. One of the schools I visited just happened to be my old school, Stroud Valley Primary. It's changed quite a bit since I went there (it used to be on two different sites) but all the staff are just as lovely and the children were really enjoyed drawing animal characters with me.

Here's some pics, by the talented photographer Simon Pizzey. Some of these appeared in the Gloucestershire Citizen a few weeks ago..now I'm off to visit another school!

All photos courtesy of Simon Pizzey, Gloucestershire Media.

Claws of CRIME!

Have you ever heard of a cat stealing a sword? 

Have you ever seen an old lady eating a jelly bean sandwich?

Have you ever had to find your kidnapped baby sister?

... With a egg boiling lie detector machine?

NO? Then you really ought to read the new Casper Candlewacks in the CLAWS of CRIME. 

Written by the sickeningly young and exceptionally talented Ivan Brett, it's the second in the series of Casper's hilarious adventures. 

It was out a few weeks ago but I've been busy finishing lots of exciting new projects that I haven't had a chance to rave about it. 

I will be uploading pics to my website next month. (You may have guessed that I did the illustrations)

In the meantime : Here's a nice review