I was interested to see what books were displayed on each stand, and what was in the pipeline as mock-ups. These picture-books especially caught my eye:-
Walker Books - pop-up books by Petr Horacek (Animal opposites & Animal Counting, 2013) and The Promise (Nicola Davies, Laura Carlin 2013)
Bonnier Publishing (Templar & Orion) - spotting books by Britta Teckentrup (Where's the Pair & The Odd One Out) & Little Tree (Jenny Bowen)
Andersen Press - Aesop's Fables (Fulvio Testa), Mr Wuffles (David Wiesner), Bluebird (Bob Staake) & Rita's Rhino (Tony Ross).
Top Hat - Hattie Peck (Emma Levey) & The Noisy Foxes (Amy Husband).
Child's Play, Usborne and Little Tiger Press all had excellent stands.
Maverick Arts Publishing - The Goblin & the Girl (Neil Irani).
Flying Eye - I Like Animals by Dahlov Ipcar)
Gecko Books - Lets Talk About Animals (Britta Teckentrup)
Scholastic Books had an exciting large mock-up book by Alex T Smith.
Ginger Books (newly set up)has some gorgeous & unusual illustrations.
Bonnier/Templar |
Polish ibby books of year 2013 |
Polish ibby books of year 2013 |
Usborne |
Walker |
A Spectrum of Experience - From First Time Picture Book to a Lasting Career
I also attended a fascinating seminar at the Children's Hub with Mike Jolley (Templar Books), Tom Cole (illustrator/author) and Chris Wormell (illustrator/author)
Tom Cole, a recent graduate from Kingston University, is signed up with Artworks agency. He successfully pitched a Berlin Wall story to Mike Jolley at Templar, which is at the printers now. Mike highlighted how Tom's 'killer' images (each with the punch of a poster) got the book through publishing meetings, along with a very poignant text with few words.
Chris Wormell worked 10 years as an illustrator (started as an engraver influenced by Thomas Bewick's animal woodcuts) before moving into children's books. He showed us how he developed his 'pensieve' of sketchbook ideas into suitable stories, with a far messier approach than Tom's.He's gradually learnt how important it is to have sympathy for the child character and have a story that's not so scary the reader can't get to sleep!
Tom Cole |
Chris Wormell |