Arvon 2018

Last week, I had a wonderful time teaching a 5-day Picture Book course together with the brilliant author/illustrator Alexis Deacon ("Slow Loris","Beegu","I am Henry Finch") at the Arvon writers retreat in Totleigh Barton, Devon.


https://www.arvon.org/


It is my third time returning to the beautiful 16-century thatched manor house and every time, I come back feeling impassioned and newly inspired. There was a brilliant mix of talented participants and my co-tutor Alexis is an extremely gifted, wise, thoughtful and knowledgeable teacher.

The week involved a lot of creative exercises, sharing of work, discussions, idea development, delicious food and bonding over some wine or star-gazing. On the third night, the wonderful author/illustrator Katherina Manolessou joined us to talk about her work.


You can find out more about both Alexis and Katherina's work here:

https://www.amazon.com/Alexis-Deacon/e/B001ITVY20

https://vimeo.com/169847249

http://www.lemoneyed.com/


All in all, it really was a fantastic week and the centre staff were brilliant from start to finish. I am looking forward to seeing what exciting work/publications may come from those who participated. Thank you to everyone and I hope to go back again in future!

NEW! Activity Books・アクティビティブック

New English Language Learning activity books are now available in Japan!

Published by MPI, they are based on my previous books "Goody Goody Gumdrops" and "Jack and Zak". There are lots of fun activities inside (Stickers too!) and these books provide a good base for English language learning for young children.


子供の英語力を伸ばす、アクティビティブックが出版されました！
mpiさん出版、Goody Goody GumdropsとJack and Zakの絵本をベースに作られ、楽しく勉強になるアクティビティが盛りだくさんです。たくさんのシールも入っていますよ。
是非、本屋さんで探してみて下さいね！

Open the Window

"Open the Window" is published by Froebel House, South Korea. Part 2 of the Think in English series. Here is a few spreads from the book:

Belated Announcement

My first child, Cal was born in April 2015. Since then, I realise that I have completely neglected my blog and any updating of news. Understandably, there has not been as much to report but I was shocked to discover that my last entry was over 2 years ago!

Huge apologies to anybody that has been kind enough to visit my site and I promise to get back to posting regular updates again. In the meantime, here is a picture of Cal (Now two-years-old).

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year 2015!

Illustrators For War Child

I am donating an original spread from THE GREAT SHEEP SHENANIGANS to be auctioned for "Illustrators for War Child" - a charity auction set up and put together by the wonderful Illustrator Leigh Hodgkinson. The auction will run until Sunday 7 September 2014 on ebay and includes the following brilliant artists:

Alison Murrey, Axel Scheffler, Babette Cole, Cally Johnson-Isaacs, Chris Haughton, Christine Pym, Clara Vulliamy, Clayton Junior, Clive Mcfarland, Daisy Hirst, David Melling, David Roberts, Ed Vere, Elys Dolan, Gabriel Alborozo, Guy Parker Rees, Gwen Millward, Helen Hancock,Holly SurpliceHolly Swain, Jane Porter, Janis Goodman, Jenny Bowers, Jim Field, Jo Lodge, Joe Berger, Jonathan Woodward, Katharine McEwen, Katherina Manolessou, Kevin Waldron, Leigh Hodgkinson, Louise Yates, Mark Chambers, Marta Altes, Mia Nilsson, Monika Forsberg, Nadia Shireen, Nicky O'Byrne, Nicola Killen, Nicola Pontin, Nikki Dyson, Paul Thurlby, Penny Dale, Rebecca Cobb, Sharon King-Chai, Sophie Allsopp, Steve May, Steven Lenton, Tim Hopgood, Tom McLaughlin, Tor Freeman, Viviane Schwarz, Yasmeen Ismail,Yokococo

The website is:

http://illustratorsforwarchild.weebly.com/   

Ebay auction site:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/nosycrow/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

Please take a look as there are lots of amazing pieces on there!

 

The Three Little Pigs

A new version of The Three Little Pigs (For First Readers) is now available from Marks and Spencer.

It was originally published as part of eight classic fairy tales collection (Below) by Parragon.

It's nice to see it as a separate book of it's own with the original front cover - I hope you will take a look next time you're in M&S!