I just discovered the Guardian's page on children's literaturefor the under 7's - great resource with interviews, audio etc.
So far I've checked out a great audio/slideshow with Jan Pienowski talking about his development of the Meg and Mog storybooks (which I remember so well from my own childhood) link here
and an interesting interview with Lauren Child (originator of Charlie and Lola) link here
... and there is so much more to explore
It's been a while (for me, at least), but today we took to the trails with Boo Two on my front...and some poles for extra balance!. I'm pleased to say he loved it (ie. slept throughout) and I'm rather impressed with Boo's stamina these days too (thanks to lots of training sessions with Dadda Boo).
I believe that's Cypress mountain in the background, scene of major lack of snow for the winter olympics. No lack this year.
Boo Two's suit was knitted by yours truly, following a pattern in Zoe Mellor's 'Nursery Knits' book. It looks kinda funny until you get a baby inside it...
What a glorious day, happy Spring eve!
Recently I came across a great interview with the author illustrator Hyewon Yum on the children's literature blog 7 Impossible Things before Breakfast. I featured Yum's book Last Night as 'book of the week' here a while ago, and was enamoured with her lino printing technique. So I wanted to check out her more recent book 'There are no Scary Wolves'
In this book, an impish little boy (and his shifty-looking feline companion) are in the house of a morning whilst a too-busy mum tackles mountains of washing up and laundry.
The boy tires of waiting for his mum and determines to head out himself, but finds that there are 'scary wolves everywhere' even in his favourite destination, the toy shop.
The boy runs home terrified, but when he later goes out with his mum, he finds that there are 'no scary wolves anywhere'.... or are there?
This tale is a gentle reminder to young children that they need to explore the world under the guidance of an adult, but I don't find it moralistic. Instead, it portrays the escapade from the eyes and unfettered imagination of a child.
This time, Yum has used a mixed media collage approach to the illustration, with photo collage and drawn elements as well as attractive use of pattern and texture. Love it. I've recently been exploring some similar approaches, and also printmaking, so I can't get enough of looking at Yum's work.
As I said, yum yum.
A trip to the Aquarium and a bear cake for a special four year old in a bear dress. Happy Birthday Boo!
