Hello! It's been a while, life seems to be on fast forward at the moment. It's World Book Day today and Aoife chose to be a cheeky Gremlin from her favourite range of books; School Gremlin, Christmas Gremlin and Supermarket Gremlin. By Adam and Charlotte Guillain and illustrated by Chris Chatterton, published by Egmont.
We all love lifting the flaps and looking to see what those naughty gremlins are up to!
And of course I couldn't leave little Erin out of all the fun: my two cheeky Gremlins.
Also, if you haven't checked out the World Book Day website, its worth a little visit - click here.
Jon Klassen is a Canadian writer and illustrator of children's books and an animator. He won both the American Caldecott Medal and the British Kate Greenaway Medal for children's book illustration, recognizing the 2012 picture book This is Not My Hat, which he also wrote. He is the first person to win both awards for the same work.
BWB:We Found A Hat is your third and final book in the 'hat' series. Did you always intend to produce three of these books when you came up with the first book, I Want My Hat Back?
JK: I think I always liked the idea of a set of three, but I didn't know that hats were going to be the central theme. For a while I thought the cast of animals in "I Want My Hat Back" would be in all three books, but when I tried more stories with them it just felt like going back to the well. Once I'd figured that out I wrote a few drafts of a book about fish and they didn't concern hats, but the more I wrestled with the text the more it changed until I woke up one morning and I had written another book about fish and a hat, and I liked it, so I guess then the theme was sort of set.
BWB:Why turtles?
JK: I had a few criteria for the animals in this book. I wanted them to be kind of sedentary animals, not very physical. I wanted them to be close to identical with small variations, and shell patterns are good for that. The other thing turtles are great for is focusing the audience. My stories use the characters' eyes a lot, and turtles are so stiff that you know you're not going to get a lot of information from how they are standing or posed, especially not how I draw them, so the only place you can look for clues is their eyes.
BWB:Which is your favourite of the trilogy?
JK: Right now it's this last one. It took longer to figure out, and I think the kind of story I wanted to try and tell changed in that time. This book feels fuller to me than the other ones, somehow. I think I Want My Hat Back will always be special to me because it kind of arrived mysteriously one evening and I think it still works, and This Is Not My Hat was received so generously by everybody and I do like how that one ends especially, but both those books have a little coldness to them that I don't think this last one has. I think the coldness was on purpose when I did it, but I wanted this one to deal with a relationship that needed establishing and that was something I hadn't had the guts to try before.
BWB:Were you shocked when I Want My Hat Back became such a huge success?
JK: Absolutely. I still am. It's far enough back now that there are kids who had it and have grown out of it and weirdly that gives you a clearer sense of scale of how far it wandered around out there. It's an amazing gift to get, I don't really know how else to put it.
BWB:When you wrote the sequels to I Want My Hat Back, did bringing the bear back ever cross your mind? (especially as he was such an iconic and unforgettable character)
JK: Yes I did try it but like I said it felt a little like going back to the well. I think there was also a lot of fear on my end of writing still. It was the first book I'd ever done by myself and I worried that going back would reveal how accidental it had actually been, that I didn't really have a handle on it after all. I think the thing that I still like most about that book and those characters is that they really did make a little world in my head even though you see so little of it. It felt like a real place and they felt like they all had lives they went back to after that story was over. I think going back in might have broken that a little.
BWB:You have been creating picture books for over 6 years now. Has the way you write and illustrate changed from when you first started?
JK: I won't say I've gotten more confident. Every single new book is terrifying. But I am learning to trust the process more. At the beginning I needed everything to be just so in my head before I started. I didn't have any faith that my skills as either a writer or an illustrator were going to reveal anything along the way. The idea going in had to be as tight as possible to survive whatever flaws I had as the person who had to see it through to the end. But now, and with this last book especially, I'm starting to see that you can get very interesting stuff if you let go of the idea that you know exactly what you want from the start and you keep an eye on where the thing wants to go on its own. It's a much more interesting way to work, and I think you get to some stuff that feels a lot more like it belongs to you than if you were just looking for an idea that was going to feel universal and bulletproof.
BWB:You're also known for your work on animated films such as Coraline. Is this a medium that still interests you creatively?
JK: Yes I do miss animation sometimes. There are storytelling tools in film that you don't get with books. Books - picture books especially - are so clean and economical and you have so much control because it's just you, but animation and film gives you some amazing tools. Movement and acting and sound and editing. I also just miss working in a group and seeing what comes out of that. I think it's a really neat time to be a designer and a storyteller. Games and apps and what's going on in TV have really opened up some amazing new territory and it would be really fun to get into that stuff. I'll try to make books as long as they let me but I think I'll probably try and wander off a few times into those other things too.
BWB:Have there been any new talents in the book world that have caught your attention?
JK: Oh man I have so many pals who are making books now, it's so great. Look up all these guys, they've all started making their own books this year or last (in no particular order):
Brenden Wenzel, Vera Brosgol, Lucy Ruth Cummins, Kate Beaton, Ryan North, Chris Turnham, Chris Appelhans, Emily Carroll, Steve Wolfhard I'm forgetting everybody but that's a good start. Oh and you know who I haven't met but I love his stuff is William Grill. Some guys just plain make you jealous.
A huge thank you to Jon (I am raising my hat to you) and Marina for taking the time to answer my questions. We Found A Hat is available to buy from the 11th October in the UK. Read my review here.
So you're probably wondering what the LOLLIES are. Well as much as we like an ice cold lolly on a hot day like today, these are more the laughing kind than the lickable ones we know! The LOLLIES are The Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2016! A panel of 'Laugh detecting' judges have chosen their shortlist and now it’s over to YOU and your class to vote for your favourites.
Votes must be submitted by teachers on behalf of a class, so get reading, discussing and register your class to vote! Voting closes on 10th June and winners will be announced on 21st June at The Lyric Theatre in the West End. (If your class isn’t registered ask your teacher if you can join in!) So teachers of Great Britain get over to scholastic.co.uk/lollies to cast your votes now!
To help with the very hard task of selecting a winner (and it is very tough from the great shortlist), I have been reading and re-reading this year’s nominated picture books. And what a funny bunch they are too! Take a look at the fine selection below, followed by my opinion on which one I think should bag the prize!
Hoot Owl - Master of Disguise
By Sean Taylor and illustrated by Jean Jullien
Published by Walker
First up is Hoot Owl - Master of Disguise. Hoot Owl can blend in anywhere with his genius disguises. He could be watching you right now if you're unlucky, just ready to ponce as he's hungry and you look like a tasty snack! Unfortunately for Hoot Owl, he's not as good at blending in as he thinks he is. He's on the prowl for a midnight snack and comes across a tasty rabbit who isn't fooled by his carrot disguise. Then he spots a cuddly lamb, but his fluffy mother sheep costume doesn't work here either. He then pretends to be a bird bath to catch a pigeon, but that too fails. But there is one snack that can't get away, and dressing up as a chef might just bag him a full tummy...
This a very funny picture book, with bold colours and lovable character design from Jean Jullien. It's a book that you can pick up again and again and chuckle at the naive Hoot and his silly disguises. Plus it's always more fun to root for the loser!
I Need A Wee!
By Sue Hendra & Paul Linnet
Published by Simon & Schuster
We've all been there, missing a toilet break and then regretting we did when the urge to go wee comes thick and fast and you can't think of anything else! This is exactly what happens to Alan. After having one too many goes on the helter-skelter, Alan is forced to find the nearest toilet before he wets himself. But getting Alan to the nearest loo is a bit trickier than his friends Giraffe and Robot first thought. Along the way there are many distractions, like balloons and pieces of yummy birthday cake. They finally find the toilets but the queue is too long for Alan to hold on, so they continue their search for somewhere for Alan to pee! Alan then somehow ends up on a stage, and due to his 'holding in his wee' dance, he wins a talent competition. Luckily his winning trophy doubles up as a somewhere to finally wee! From the best selling author that brought us other funnies such as No-Bot and Barry the Fish With Fingers, I Need a Wee! is another laugh out loud book that's sure to make you wet your pants! With lovable funny characters and bright colours throughout, this is sure to be a winner with the younger audiences.
Gracie Grabbit and the Tiger
By Helen Stephens
Published by Scholastic
Meet Gracie Grabbit. She is the daughter of a very naughty robber called Bobby Grabbit. Gracie doesn't like how her dad robs people and during a trip to the zoo she warns him that she will set the tiger on him if he steals from anyone. But Bobby just doesn't listen and laughs off his daughter's threats. So they visit the zoo and just as Gracie thought, Bobby just can't help himself and steals from the zoo animals and other visitors. Gracie tries to tell the zoo keeper but the zoo keeper is too busy washing a giraffe and doesn't hear her. But someone else hears her, and that someone is the tiger! And in a funny mix up, the tiger ends up with the keys to his cage, allowing him to escape and catch naughty Bobby Grabbit!
A very humorous story with the naughty burglar getting caught and deciding not to steal anymore to become a zoo keeper! Helen's illustrations are a joy to look at and you can't but feel sorry for Bobby when the game is finally up! A story that little ones will love and laugh at all the silly things that happen!
Slug Needs a Hug!
By Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
Published by Andersen Press
No one really quite likes slugs, they're not exactly the cuddly creature that you'd like to give a hug to. In Slug Needs a Hug! Slug is wondering why his mummy won't hug him. Is he too slimy? Too ugly? He decides to ask other creatures what they think he should do to get a hug off his mummy. So they advise changing his appearance, from a kitten telling him to be more furry, and a bird suggesting he wears feathers and a beak. Before Slug knows it, he is unrecognisable to his mother, who just loves Slug for who he is. The reason she never hugged him is because she doesn't have arms! This is a very funny rhyming book, with equally funny (and slimy) illustrations from legendary illustrator Tony Ross. It has laugh out loud moments and is sure to be a funny bone hit with young children.
So there you have it, a brief look at the contenders for best LOL picture book. These are all VERY funny titles and I have a strong idea who will win over young voters. In my opinion I very much enjoyed and chuckled at Hoot Owl - Master of Disguise, as I couldn't help liking the owl and his determination to get some dinner! And Slug Needs A Hug! being a (huggably) close second! But now it's over to you and your class to crown the funniest picture book. For more details visit scholastic.co.uk/lollies Check out the video featuring the always funny Michael Rosen below!
As an owner of two naughty, mischievous bunnies, I love reading any books about rabbits and this book is one is a breath of fresh air. Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burglar is the debut book by Emily MacKenzie and as everyone knows or would imagine, rabbits like to dream about lettuce, carrots and juicy dandelions (I know mine do) but not Ralfy, all Ralfy dreams about is books! He's definitely not your normal everyday bunny.
Ralfy loves books, making constant lists about books, his favourite books, books he wants to read, what he thinks others should read and rates them all with a score of carrots (what else?). Ralfy loves getting lost in stories, exploring new worlds and even the smell of books. Doesn’t everyone?! But then Ralfy starts creeping into people’s bedrooms and reading their books, and this soon leads to Ralfy stealing them and becoming a BOOK THIEF!
Ralfy then finds Arthur’s bookshelf and starts taking his books, but when he steals Arthur’s The Biggest Book of Monsters Ever, Arthur notices his favourite book has disappeared. Who would do such a thing? Unluckily for Ralfy that his left behind half eaten carrots and soggy lettuce leaves give him away. Arthur makes a plan to try and catch the book thief and late that night, he hears a rustle, grabs his torch and spots Ralfy but Ralfy is too quick and escapes. Arthur tells everyone but no one believes him, especially a rabbit stealing books. He even calls the police station to report the incident but the police man laughs at him.
However, that night Ralfy the Book Burglar burrows into the wrong house, it turns out to be the policeman’s house and is caught red handed. Arthur is called into the police station to identify him. Ralfy is very sorry and is ordered to return all of the stolen books. Arthur feels sorry for Ralfy and shows him where he can find lots of books to read and borrow.. the Library!
This is an adorable story for any little book lover and encourages a love for libraries - Emily MacKenzie is a huge advocate of libraries and with the recent cuts, this is a great way to remind children and adults about the joy of books.
With the use of Ink, watercolour and pencil, the illustrations are fun and sweet. The bunnies are adorable and adults will enjoy the rabbit related book titles in Ralfy’s book lists. A lovely bedtime story or perfect for celebrating National Libraries Day (commencing Saturday 7th February), children will love this naughty bunny (and all bunny lovers).
I don’t think this is the last we’ve heard of Ralfy Rabbit, look out for more from Ralfy in 2016. You can buy Wanted! Rally Rabbit, Book Burglar from the Bloomsbury shop here.
I love books and I especially love children’s picture books, but with a baby on the way (in 5/6 weeks time, eek) I have never really looked at those early pre-school books for the very young. Through this blog, I hope to explore the pre-school, early years and picture books with my little one and hopefully he or she will enjoy this journey together with me.
Though it may be a while before they will be interested in books, other than putting them in their mouths, I’m already keeping an eye out in book stores and online for great finds that I hope to share with you.
