The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty

The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty

By Beatrice Alemagna

Published by Thames & Hudson

This is the latest from illustrator/author extraordinaire, Beatrice Alemagna. Meet Eddie, an eight year old girl who thinks she isn't particularly good at anything.

Eddie knows her mum would love a Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty for her birthday. The only problem is that she doesn’t know what a Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty is, or where to find one! This book follows Eddie as she tours the whole town, trying to track down the perfect present.

Beatrice's books are a family favourite in our house, her illustrations are works of art, with so many things to spot throughout the use of paint, pencil and collage. The detail that goes into her illustrations is just mind blowing, and The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty is full of them! I love the use of colour in this book, especially Eddie's fluorescent pink coat which helps you spot her on each page.

The story is a sweet one, with the meaning being open to many interpretations, but I found that Eddie's lack of confidence in herself was a reflection of a lot of children her age. She ignores the fact that she is good at many things, with the main one being a very resourceful young lady with a very big imagination! 

The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty is available to buy from all good bookshops and online from Thames & Hudson here. 

There's also some great videos to watch over on Vimeo, with a trailer for the book and a tutorial from Beatrice on how to draw Eddie!

Beatrice Alemagna interview

Beatrice Alemagna is one of my favourite illustrators, so it was an absolute honour to get the chance to ask her some questions about her work, life and latest book Little Big Boubo.

Beatrice was born in Bologna, Italy, in 1973. When she was a child her biggest heroes were Pippi Longstocking, Marcovaldo, Karlsson on the roof, Silvester and Meffi. At eight she decided that, whatever the cost, once grown up she would become a "painter and writer of novels". Beatrice has had 29 books published so far and these have been translated into over 14 languages. She currently lives in Paris.

BWB: What inspired you to write Little Big Boubo?

BA: Since I became a mother (almost four years ago) the child took a central position in my work.
I feel like exploring his issues and the phases he is going through. Obviously my daughter has inspired the book. During this delicate period between two and three years, in which children don't know whether they should define themselves as "little" (like a baby) or already claim to be "big" (like a grown up person). During this time, what it's surprising is that they, by themselves, change their perception respect to their interest. One is "big" or "little" respect to what he desires, at a certain time.


BWB: I love the size of the book for Little Big Boubo. Was this purposely designed for little hands?

BA: Absolutely. As you can see in the little movie I made to present the book, it's easy and pleasant to manipulate the book with tiny hands.


Little big Boubo from Beatrice Alemagna on Vimeo.


BWB: What has been the highlight of your career so far?

BA: I have lived a lot of beautiful moments. One of them was to receive a letter from Tomi Ungerer telling me that he would love to meet me because he loved my work.


BWB: A Lion in Paris is one of my favourite books of yours. Which title are you most proud of?

BA: Besides the Lion in Paris (which is not only the story of a stranger in the unknown town, but also my own autobiography), currently my favorite books (and for different purpose) are : Jo singe garçon, The five Misfits (to be released in 2015 by wide eyed Editions) and the Marvelous Fluffy squishy itty bitty (provisional title, 2015 Thames & Hudson).


BWB: You use collage a lot in your work, what inspired this love?  

BA: Collage allows to get out of your own stereotype, to draw with the obstacle of scissors, and this is very inspiring, for me.


BWB: You're originally from Italy but now live in Paris. Would you say that Paris is now your home forever?

BA: I really cannot answer to this question! Only life will tell.


BWB: A lot of your books feature animals, do you prefer to draw these over people?

BA: I don't have any preferences, in fact I have always loved to tell stories of children, directly related to reality, it's been only a few years since I started to use the animal as a way to talk about the child. And it is a very new and pleasant thing.


BWB: What usually fuels your next book or illustration? 

BA: The love of discovery and change.


Thank you to Beatrice for taking the time to answer my questions - a lovely insight to what inspires you and your wonderful work. Also thank you to Hester for making it possible. If you'd like to see more of Beatrice's work visit her website at beatricealemagna.com

Little Big Boubo

Little Big Boubo

By Beatrice Alemagna
Published by Tate Publishing

Little Big Boubo is the latest book from award-winning illustrator Beatrice Alemagna, who has had 29 books published to date. This charming book offers a tender and humorous reflection on the delightful age of toddlerhood.

Meet Boubo, he’s eager to prove that he’s no longer a baby anymore! Boubo can already ride a bike, has big eyes, a big boy’s nose and four big teeth. He only has to wear a nappy one day a week (like adults!) and can even walk backwards without almost falling over. He’s not scared of heights, and can order his own meal at a restaurant - but never has peas!  

This isn’t your usual brightly coloured picture book. Beatrice uses her familiar style of collage and pencil to create illustrations filled with warmth and charm. Even the unusually small book size adds to its charm and allows small hands to handle it with ease. 

There are lots of things to explore on every spread. Beatrice's attention to detail throughout the book is directed to keep children focused on everything from the text to the expertly layed out illustrations. With numerous things to count like people in queues and fruit lined up on a wall. There's also an emphasis on size throughout the book. Boubo's big bike (with very large wheels), the tiny ladybird on Boubo's nose when he's stressing he has a 'big boy's nose and the towering size of his mother who appears at the end of the book. 

Of course the biggest thing in this book isn't Boubo, it's the love his mother has for him and you can't get any bigger than that! Little Big Boubo is available to buy now in the Tate bookshop and on their online store.