Interview with David Litchfield

David Litchfield is an illustrator from Bedfordshire in the U.K. He is represented by The Bright Agency. David first started to draw when he was very young, creating Star Wars and Indiana Jones ‘mash up’ comics for his older brother and sister. Since then David’s work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, books and on T-shirts. He has also exhibited his illustrations in both solo and group shows in the U.K, Europe and America.

BWB: What inspired The Bear and the Piano?

DL: Lots of things really. The idea initially came from a very quick sketch I drew in my sketchbook of a tuxedo wearing bear playing piano. I really liked the idea of these two different worlds colliding. The big scary grizzly bear playing soft tender piano music. But the story line reflects a lot of the decisions we have to make when we are following our dreams and have to step out of our comfort zones.

BWB: Will there be another book featuring the musical bear?

DL: Yes indeed there will be. I don't think I can say too much about it as Its very, very earl days. I'm very excited by it though as its not a traditional sequel and t takes the story in a very cool and interesting direction. 

BWB: Are you musical at all?

DL: A bit. I used to play guitar in bands a few years ago. But the only person who hears me play now is my 4 year old son. He thinks I rock :)

BWB: You’ve created quite a few book covers over your career so far. Which one is your favourite to date?

DL: I loved the one I did recently for the re-issue of 'The Jungle Book' by Faber Classics. It was such a big honour to have been asked and I think I did a pretty ok job.

BWB: Can you tell us what you’re currently working on?

DL: Well, I'm getting ready for the release of two book I illustrated which are coming out this September, 'The Building Boy' by Ross Montgomery and 'Miss Muffet, Or What Came After' by Marilyn Singer. Thats all hugely exciting.

But, I have just finished my second author/illustrator book 'Grandad's Secret Giant'  which is not out until April 2017. Its an idea I have had in my mind for quite some time so I'm really happy that I was given the opportunity to create it. I can't wait to hear what people think to it.

This summer is a busy one as I'm working on a few other books that will all be published over the next couple of years. Today I'm making a start on the final artwork for Teresa Heapy's  book 'The Marvellous Moon Map'. Its published next year by Penguin Random House and its going to be bloomin brilliant.

Massive bear hugs to David and Ellen for making this interview a superb one! If you want to see more David's beautiful work visit his website here. David’s award winning first picture book ‘The Bear & The Piano’ (published by Frances Lincoln) is out now. 

The Bear and the Piano

The Bear and the Piano

By David Litchfield

Published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books

This is the debut picture book from illustration talent, David Litchfield. Inspired by David's personal love of music, forests and the White Stripes song; 'Little Room', David takes us on a musical journey that's more furry than you'd expect... 

One day, a bear cub finds something strange in the forest. And when he touched the keys it made a strange and awful sound. So he left, but he returned the next day, and the day after that. And for the following days, months and years. Eventually the sound that came out from the thing was no longer awful, instead it was beautiful. And his magical melodies were enjoyed by all the other bears in the forest. But one day a father and daughter see the bear perform, and insist he returns with them to the city to play for huge audiences.

The city is everything Bear thought it would be, but something is not quite right. He yearns to be somewhere else, and that place being where he loved to play, back in the forest. One night he decides to return and leave the city behind. But when he arrives back at the clearing where he used to play there is no one there, even the piano has disappeared. Had his friends forgotten about him? Were they angry he left? He then spots a friend, the friend runs off and the bear follows. Then he sees it, his piano, and surrounded by newspaper clippings, memorabilia and LPs he had recorded. His friends weren't angry, they were proud. 

David's illustrations have a whimsical and classical feel to them. Using mainly Photoshop to create his images, he produces large scale scenes that are littered with detail. The story has a dreamy fairytale feel to it, with the message that even if you're not around the people you love, they will never forget you. The bear doesn't forget his roots and returns to the forest to share his talent with the family and friends he loves. An endearing tale that is sure to be a modern classic for years to come.

The Bear and the Piano is available to buy in hardback and paperback from all good bookshops and from the Quarto website here. If you'd like to know more about David, have a gander at the interview he did with me here. 

Tell Me a Picture

Tell Me a Picture

By Quentin Blake

Published by Francis Lincoln

First published in 2001, Tell Me a Picture has been reissued as this fine paperback edition. It dons a new updated cover and introduction from Quentin Blake. 

Quentin Blake was the first Children's Laureate, appointed back in 2001. He was asked to select 26 of his favourite paintings for an exhibition at the National Gallery. Artists covered were from fine artists to children's illustrators, creating a very diverse collection. Laid out in an A-Z format you'll find artists such as Emma Chichester Clark, Edward Hopper, Paula Rego and John Burningham. Although the works here are very different from each other, each painting in the collection had one thing in common, they all have a story to tell.

Tell Me a Picture prompts children to take an interest in art and ask questions about what they're looking at. Quentin illustrates throughout, with characters passing thoughts on the art that is displayed on the opposite page. A clever way to get children to do the same and use their imagination and look for stories in the pictures.

A cleverly curated collection of art which helps introduce a diverse collection of art to a new generation. Tell Me a Picture is available to buy from all good bookshops and online here. To see more about the exhibition that took place 15 years ago, I recommend watching the video below.

Ralf.

Ralf.

By Jean Jullien
(Text collaboration by Gwendal Le Bec)

Published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books

Ralf. is a heartwarming and surreal book from the French graphic designer Jean Jullien. This bold book is about a little dog that seems to be always getting in the family's way and shouted at a lot but it's soon up to him to save the day. 

After getting under the family's feet too many times, he is told to get out. While sleeping in his kennel, the house is too quiet and smoke soon tickles Ralf's nose. It's up to Ralf to help and as he rushes into the house, his bum gets stuck in the door! If Ralf doesn't do something quickly, the house will burn down. He pulls so hard that he begins to stretch and stretch and is able to reach upstairs but he can't wake anyone up and has to hunt down help. The firefighters tackle the fire but to save the family they have to slide down Ralf's back. Ralf saves the day but he's now a very long dog! 

This book is a nice shape and good for little hands to hold. The story is short but there's just enough words to keep a child's attention as the illustrations are clear, bold and could easily explain the story just by themselves. I like the use of the thick black outline for all of the characters and objects, which makes them pop out. 

This heartwarming book will have any child cheering on little Ralf - Ralf. is available in all good bookshops and online here.