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Tag: children’s book illustrators

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Adventure on ice...

Ernest , aged 6, had the four good qualities of an explorer; optimism, patience, idealism and courage.

He started digging a large hole in the back garden, when he was six years old, determined to reach the other side of the world.

This inspirational book about Ernest Shackleton is  part of the Little People, Big Dreams series and is perfect for younger readers to become inspired by the determination and courage of Ernest Shackleton in attempting a Trans Antarctic Expedition from 1914-1917.

Ernest realised he could not be the first to reach the South Pole,  Roald Amundsen achieved that feat in 1911. Instead Shackleton gathered a crew for this greatest journey. Sadly, they were defeated by the weather and their ship Endurance was trapped in polar ice and split in two. The whole crew escaped and landed on Elephant Island, where Shackleton and a few others eventually rescued them from a whaling station.

It was certainly a huge dream and the courage and optimism of Ernest are inspirational to so many who dream of big adventures.

Written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, the text tells much of the full story and in a captivating way, accessible for younger readers. Maria was born in Barcelona, Spain, is a writer and creative director in constant search of new concepts for children’s books and the author of the multimillion-copy best-selling Little People, BIG DREAMS series of picture books that explore the lives of outstanding people.

Olivia Holden, the  illustrator, is currently based in Lancashire. She grew up in a tiny village on the Fylde Coast and studied Fine Art, Textiles and English Literature.Olivia has created some beautiful images for the crew and Endurance in a sea of ice and storms.

Frances Lincoln, part of the Quarto Group have a highly successful series showing how powerful and impactful picture books can be with a great sense of adventure for all younger readers.

I love this series and have learnt so much, Ernest Shackleton  Little People, BIG DREAMS has already set me on the road to find out more about this adventurer, explorer and person of courage. Maybe one day I will dream of a Big Adventure !!

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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Beautiful, lyrical, imaginative...

Opening this book was like opening a treasure chest, full of beauty and wonderful things. Jackie Morris brings her flair for dreaming and imagination to the world of nursery rhymes.

At a time when much effort is spent in decoding and information; this book is a journey into a creative imagination, to  worlds beyond and characters with such possibilities.

 

The Jackie Morris Book of Classic Nursery Rhymes, published on September 10th,  brings together 20 nursery rhymes that have been told for generations, such as Sing a Song of Sixpence  and Pop! Goes the Weasel. The exquisite illustrations by Jackie are complete works of art in themselves and you can be completely lost in the pictures for hours!

Children of course enjoy the books as much as I do and will find favourite  rhymes and pages to share with their parents at bedtimes. My favourite page is probably Grey Goose.

Jackie Morris is the illustrator and compiler of the collection. Jackie's fame has risen to new heights with the immense success of The Lost Words, for which she won the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal in 2019. She has numerous books in her portfolio and the illustrations always  tell as much of the story and adventure that lies in the words. In Jackie's introduction to the book she writes about the importance of nursery rhymes, for listening and feeling, and as the geography of childhood.

Otter-Barry Books are the publishers,  they have worked with Jackie Morris for many years.  They have an exciting range of books in their published lists. Check their website for a full list of options.

I  will enjoy having this book in my library and sharing with children around me, and then again, I may just spend time with it myself!

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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Howler Monkey was one of the best climbers in the whole jungle.

He could swing, he could climb. He could impress his family and he show his friends just how to do amazing tricks in the trees.

And then one day, he fell. He damaged his tail which helped him to climb and swing so well.

He finds himself in despair and as the picture turn to a sepia tone, a older monkey talks with Howler Monkey about all the things he enjoyed about climbing and swinging, and do you know what he could still do some of those.

“ What a smart little monkey you are. Keep on being the best you can be. “says the older monkey.

Monkey’s Tail is the  third inspiring story from Alex Rance,the Tiger & Friends picture book series. This is a celebration of self-belief, family and caring for others by AFL Premiership player, Alex Rance, and talented children's book illustrator, Shane McG.

Howler Monkey was one of the best climbers in the whole jungle - until the day he landed on his tail with a big thump. He kept smiling and playing with his friends, but on the inside, he was very sad... What if he could never climb again? Can Howler Monkey get his confidence back and reset his sense of self? A gorgeous picture book about resilience and change, sharing worries and staying positive.

Alex Rance has played 200 games for the Richmond Tigers. The last three years have seen him experience the highs of a drought-breaking AFL premiership in 2017 and the lows of a season-ending knee injury in 2019. These experiences have inspired him to write his picture books Tiger's Roar (2018) and Rabbit's Hop (2019) and Monkey's Tail (2020). Using his passion for education and storytelling he hopes to inspire the next generation to realise their dream.

 Shane McG is an award-winning picture book illustrator. He has also exhibited in London and Melbourne.

Allen and Unwin are the Australian publishers making a big difference to children’s books through style, content and just choosing some great titles.

Monkey’s Tail is a book for sharing and reading alone at home and at school. I love it and it's great to be able to buy in the UK.

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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I See, I See is a book of perspectives, you can read it either left to right or right to left. The effect is intriguing and is written as  a playful, rhyming call-and-answer conversation between two readers.

Each person views the page from a different perspective: I see water, I see sky, I see swimming, I see fly!

The story and pictures can be read right way up and upside down.

An innovative book which will delight young children who  will love to turn the book into different angles to see how it changes with different meanings.

Robert Henderson is the author and illustrator with a graphic design background that make perfect synergy in this book, I See, I See. He lives in Brisbane, Australia with his partner and two young children  and I feel sure we will see much more of his work in the future.

Allen and Unwin are the publishers and I See, I See joins their excellent portfolio of books for young children.

Sue Martin

 


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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A world full of colours through the  seasons in many diverse places. Celebration of the vibrancy of colour waiting to be found in all corners of the world.

From the white hot sands of the Sahara Desert to the soft pink blossoms of the Japanese countryside.

Colours to astound us at every corner, captured in text and illustration  in this beautiful book.

This book is a journey across the world,  Australia. the Antarctic and the Amazon for starters, children will be able to discover places and become travellers. There are many places to visit , full of fascinating creatures and scenery all with colourful theme matching the place. Red London buses and  green  rice fields in Vietnam .

Ben Lerwill, is an award winning travel writer who lives in Oxfordshire and had written for many travel magazines and websites, including National Geographic, Time Out and BBC Travel. It is great to see his work for children and the globe.

Alette Straathof lives  in Paris and grew up in a small town in the Netherlands and studied illustration at Willem de Kooning Academy. She was awarded a top illustration award in the Netherlands in 2019. What a joy to see her work in this children's book.

Words and Pictures , publishers, make imaginative and entertaining books for younger readers. opening the door to their imagination. One World, Many Colours certainly does this.

One of the most beautifully produced books for 2020 and as we are all grounded by a lack of travel and virus isolation this book is just right for the whole family to share and to love. And my copy is staying at home with me!

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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Trees, dogs, fishes, birds, water... they are all themselves. yet they fit together to make our living world. Mary Murphy's simple and beautiful words and pictures bring alive our the wonderful variety of our planet and the special nature of every living thing... including you!

Only a tree knows how to be a tree! But trees are just the start and everything and everyone is different with a special place in our world and shared lives together.This is a really exciting book with a simple yet profound message . Each page is beautifully illustrated  and I love the page of the earth and the animals, oceans and rivers.

Mary Murphy is an author/illustrator with a special gift for children' books and has been published across the world, including Japan, Mexico, Sweden and Taiwan.She studied in Dublin and has an Advanced Diploma in visual Communication, which is a huge part of her books.

Otter-Barry are the publishers of a wide and diverse range of books and Only a Tree Knows how to be a Tree is part of their wonderful collection of children's books for younger readers.

 

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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Brains are amazing! They are responsible for every single thing we do.

The Great Big Brain Book shows how our brains work and all the things and activities we do are directed by the brain, from sleeping and dreaming, to language and memory.

Illustrations and bite sized sections of text deliver the facts in an engaging and memorable way. You can use them to explore more about the subject or as an introduction to how are bodies and minds work together so well.

It is part of the series of The Great Big.... books about all sorts of things which children ask about all the time. It gives some answers and is a fascinating collection of thought processes.

At home I have a very large and detailed book about the brain, so far I have only ever read the first chapter, so maybe this will help me to get a little further!

Mary Hoffman is an internationally acclaimed author of over 120 books for children, with an amazing selection of genres, titles and age groups.

Ros Asquith who has partnered Mary on many books is the illustrator with  such a distinctive style and aptitude for pictures that will be a great part of the text for young children.

Frances Lincoln Children's Books are the publishers and The Great Big Brain Book not only joins an amazing series but an amazing publisher of total quality books.

 

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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Discover how Astrid Lindgren grew up to become a best loved author, and creator of Pippi Longstocking, the character who never wanted to grow up. 

It is from Frances Lincoln Children's Books, Little People, BIG DREAMS series. We discover that at the age of four, Astrid met a whole new world of giants, fairies as a friend read to her and she discovered books.

Astrid did her best to learn to read as soon as she could, once she had exhausted the local library she started to write her own books. There was no stopping Astrid and she wrote many books including the much acclaimed stories of Pippi Longstocking.

Published  on March 3rd, this book is just in time for World Book Day on 5th March. It is a wonderful autobiography of Astrid Lindgren and contains a time line of important aspects of her life. There are now over 36 titles in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series and they are a great collection for any school or home.

Isabel Sanchez Vegara is the author and  she is excited by new concepts in children's' books and a creative way to enhance active learning.

Linzie Hunter is the illustrator, with a wealth of experience, including work for Apple, BBC and The Guardian. The illustrations are endearing and full of character.

A moving book, with a story to match with stylish and quirky illustrations, a great addition to the series and a great book for World Book Day.

Sue Martin


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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Wild Wolf is Inspired and adapted from a traditional Algonquin tale this powerful story, decorated with brightly coloured paintings based on the First Nation costumes and bead work is by international celebrated artist and winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal.

When the bravest warrior is refused as a suitor by beautiful Proud Girl, his heart turns to anger and revenge and he creates Ice Man who leads Proud Girl into danger. As the warmer weather returns and melts Ice Man, Proud Girl lays down to sleep in deep sorrow. Wild Wolf is the guardian spirit to the people of the high mountains and he saves Proud Girl. As Bravest Warrior realises what he has done he is sorry for his vengeance and Proud Girl returns to live with him by the lakes.

A moving story from long ago, the illustrations and text from Fiona French are evocative and deep and Wild Wolf is somewhere looking in on every page.

The story has been approved by an Algonquin storyteller and a donation from sales will go to Katarokwi Grandmother's Council of Kingston. Ontario.

A wonderful new book from Otter Barry Books, and part of their portfolio of books that will make a difference and push boundaries,

 

Sue Martin

 

 


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.


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A beautifully illustrated, well told story...

"Deep in the jungle lived a fearless tiger. No other animal was as strong and powerful as he was."

But for all his boldness and strength he could not outfight the cunning human hunters.

He was brought back to be kept in a cage and stared at by inquisitive eyes.

A moving, thought provoking story, superbly illustrated by Petr Horacek, award winning picture book creator, a fable for our time.

It is a moving story about freedom and it addresses conservation and animal rights issues. The glowing, expressive artwork is a powerful imaginative stimulus and is an absolute joy to turnover each special page.

Petr Horacek was born in Prague and moved to England in 1994 after graduating at the Academy of Fine Art. He has created numerous high quality, award winning picture books.

Petr has an interesting article on his blog about inspiration and converting ideas to art work- really great!

Otter-Barry Books is an exciting imprint which publishes amazing books, just like The Last Tiger.

Sue Martin

 


Dolphinbooksellers.co.uk is part of SmithMartin LLP

A retail resource for the best children's books, entry point into our children's and community library procurement and supply service. Offering a miscellany of news and featured authors for all our readers, whatever their age.