A Birthday Weekend

Every year my birthday seems to sneak up on me and take me by surprise so this year I was ready in advance and with my husband off on a Duke of Edinburgh camping trip and my parents helping out my youngest sister with her two day old little girl I thought I would take advantage of the great weather and two lovely invitations and head into London for a day out.

Not only was I lucky enough to meet Lauren Child at the launch of an exhibition celebrating her latest project My Life Is A Story, but I was also able to indulge in some great past times such as hopscotch, skipping and a tug of war up in Coram Fields - a wonderful fun-filled park that was packed to the brim in the April sun with people having an afternoon out.

The excuse for such the afternoon outing was the launch of the Adventure Walks books and a traditional British afternoon tea complete with cucumber sandwiches and jelly and cream! As if this wasn't enough I managed to fit in a spot of shopping and of course the obligatory sorbet from Selfridges! Enough of this birthday indulgence however and back to the books....

The Adventure Walks books are fun, family pocket sized books that encourage the whole family to get outdoor and explore, London and the surrounding area. themed walks take in history as well as geography and even a spot of nature. There is great fun to be had for all ages and lots to be learned. Becky and Clare told me how much fun it had been to go out and do the walks themselves and how fit they had become as a result. It was certainly proving to be a big hit, they were busy signing the copies being bough by eager parents and children were delightedly joining in the old fashioned games as featured in the books.

The contrast with Lauren Child's morning event could not have been more marked yet both were showing how books and their stories are shared experiences. Lauren may have been launching her My Life Is A Story exhibition and the stories of children from Mexico and other parts of the world that she has been involved with through her work as a UNESCO ambassador but she was also sharing with the children who were shy and yet eager to speak to her, the joy and pleasure as well as importance of stories - particularly That Pesky Rat recovered and with all proceeds going to UNESCO. Children loved being made to feel a part of the whole process, finding out about others around the world and working out how they too could be involved.

I had a truly lovely and inspiring day out and now I will be encouraging the children at school to share their own stories and find out more about other children around the world.

A Conversation Gillian Cross

Gillian cross recently launched her most current story 'Where I Belong' at the Oxfam bookshop on Marylebone High Street in London. A small group of guests were there to help her celebrate, listen to a reading from the story and engage in interesting conversations about the issues raised by the story.

The book addresses issues of fashion, people smuggling, kidnap and being a member of a small minority group in the

UK. Gillian's writing is clear and compelling, the reader is quickly drawn into to the story and kept there thought its pace and hints of secrecy and mystery. A compelling story for all readers ages 12+ it is both thought provoking and enjoyable.

Gillian kindly took some time to answer a few questions about the book and the launch itself for all her fans and readers of Armadillo, what follows is the interview. Your own thoughts and opinions on the story and on Gillian's comments would be most welcome.

I read somewhere that ‘Where I Belong’ is a coming of age novel, to me it seems to be a book that explores i

ssues of identity – how did you approach it in terms of research and writing? I was intrigued by what it must be like to be caught between two cultures. This was sparked off when my attention was drawn to Somalia, as I explain below, but the book didn’t take off until I started thinking about how fashion explores and expresses culture(s). The research involved extensive reading, both in books and on the Internet, talking to people – including Somalis and a fashion designer – and collecting images in a scrapbook.

The three voices in which the story is told were the key to writing it. I tried with two at first (Abdi and Freya) but it wasn’t until I found Khadija’s voice that I was able to see how the narrative could work.

Why did you d

ecide to use Somalia as your focus – is it a country that you think is of interest to your readers or was it more personal to you? I met two English teachers who urged me to write a book with a Somali background, because there was no fiction that reflected the lives of their Somali students. When I explained that I didn’t write like that and that the story had to come first, they invited me to visit their school and talk to some of the students about their experiences and about Somalia. Naturally I did some background reading beforehand and one of the things I discovered is that several Somali women have become well-known fashion models. I was immediately fascinated by the extreme contrast between their original nomadic culture and the world of high fashion.

What would you like to think your readers will take away from the story? Have you aimed it at a specific group or would you like teenagers to pick it up, read it and take on board the issues of identit

y, family and the wider issues affecting the world – drought, refugees, wealth gaps etc. It’s a story, not aimed at any particular group or trying to propagate any view of the world. But in writing about Abdi, Khadija and Freya I naturally focus on the ways in which their lives connect and contrast. Issues of identity, wealth, worldwide connections and so on - which are all things that interest me - arose naturally out of that story. I’ll be delighted if the book’s readers also find those things interesting and thought-provoking.

Did you know much about the modelling industry before writing?

Sandy is rather an extreme character with some madcap ideas but I am sure that there are many designers with their foibles! High fashion and nomadic life were both strange and unfamiliar cultures to me when I started and I enjoyed exploring both of them. I was particularly interested in fashion designers who push the boundaries and try out ground-breaking ideas.

Did you feel uncomfortable when deciding to dress Sandy and Freya in full veils? It made for slightly uncomfortable reading but at the same time helped me realise how it could feel to be so covered up. That’s exactly how I hoped readers would feel about that scene! This issue was raised at the launch and we discussed whether it would be wrong to do this in real life. The discussion illustrated what varied and complex meanings veiling has in our society.

Do you like secrets? When reading the story it feels though on almost every page there is a secret. It does make the book immensely readable. I love stories that turn on secrets and mysteries. And the older I get the more I discover that real life is often like that.

The smuggling and kidnap are so realistic. Were they very difficult to find the tone for when you were writing? I tried to write about them in a plain, straightforward way, not being over-dramatic, but not trivialising them. I particularly wanted readers to take the kidnap seriously, even though it happens in a country which is distant from most of the action so far.

How did the as

sociation with Oxfam come about? Do Oxfam work in Somalia with refugees or are they there to help with wider social problems? I have supported Oxfam for many years and always been impressed by the work they do and the way in which they work with local partner organisations. When I was researching the Somali background, I talked on the phone to some Oxfam staff who had been in Somalia, who answered some of my questions and recommended helpful and reliable websites. Here’s the link to the Oxfam account of what they do in Somalia:

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam_in_action/where_we_work/somalia.html

What was it like to launch the book with OUP and Oxfam in London? Were people very interested in the story and your reasons for writing it or in meeting the author? It was an extremely enjoyable launch and people asked the kind of questions you’ve asked here. Some peo

ple knew quite a lot about the Somali background and one person, in particular, had an interesting anecdote about an experience where she was encouraged to wear a veil. It was good to talk with people who took the setting and the book and its characters so seriously.

As an individual do the issues in your story concern you? Are they close to your heart? Do you try, as a writer, to express personal feelings in your writing. Before I began this book, I already felt very strongly about the imbalances and conflicts in the world, but I didn’t consciously write about those feelings. I was more concerned with the topics themselves and the ways in which they impact on the characters. When I write, I always feel that I’m exploring and learning, and it was certainly true in this book.

Thank you to Gillian for taking the time to answer these questions, I urge you all to now go away and read this excellent novel, take on board what Gillian has said and encourage as many teenagers as possible to read it, think about the questions it raises and enjoy a brilliantly written and evocative story.

Brian Wildsmith celebrates 80!

January 2010 was the month in which Brian Wildsmith celebrated his 80th birthday and on Tuesday 13th April he travelled to the UK from his home in France to meet friends family and fans in the London Based Illustration Cupboard for a private view of a selection of his artwork.

Brian has been writing and illustrating children's books since the 1960's and for all that time he has worked with Oxford University Press who co-hosted the evening. The small space was packed to bursting with all those who wanted to take the opportunity of such a rare chance to meet Brain and look at a selected showcase of his amazing work.

Brian works outside the traditional boundaries of illustration in children's picture books and certainly broke the mould when he first started with his ABC which is still in print and massively popular today. His current editor and the team from Oxford were thrilled to be able to present his work and celebrate his milestone birthday explaining what a pleasure it has been and continues to be working with Brian. Luminaries from the world of children's literature including Shirley Hughes dropped in for a chat and Brain was clearly thrilled to see so many people there for him.

His work, which is on display for a few more weeks in London and also in Seven Stories in Newcastle is quite stunning when seen independently of the books. The colour splashes that he uses as well as techniques become clear and it was quite obvious that whilst he has a distinctive style he has a wonderful imagination and understands how to appeal directly to his audience. Everyone I spoke to loved being able to have the chance to see the pictures and meet the man who is becoming a living legend, who drew them. It was a very special evening and on behalf of all the readers of Armadillo I wish Brian continued success and urge everyone to look out for his ABC, Animals, Fables, Nursery Rhymes and more. I have been told that we can expect some further reissues of Brain's books over the next few months and will certainly be keeping a eye open for them!

Happy Easter

Easter is a time for celebration, it is obviously imbued with religious significance but its also an opportunity for families to come together and enjoy a long weekend of fun and games, Easter egg hunts and chocolate. What do we do with little ones when they are worn out with all the activity or with those who have eaten too much chocolate, or those, who like me cannot eat chocolate? My answer is of course books - we can never too many of these and I have some wonderful recommendations to make of books that are not just for Easter!

The Usborne Little Book of Chocolate is perfect for fact finders and chocloate

lovers alike for it reveals the history of chocolate from its origins in ancient Mexcio where a bitter chocolate drink was the favourite indulgence through to the soild milk chocolate that we eat today all types, and flavours of chocolate are considered. This book is sure to leave the mouth watering and the brain filled with interesting trivia!

Once this little gem has got the taste buds tickled then where better to turn than to an inter-galactic chocolate covered adventure story featuring a princess some rather mean aliens and a host of wonderfully bright and funny characters Gillian Rogerson and Sarah McIntyre have created a brilliant picture book to share with children, take them on a wonderful adventure and find them drooling over the many sweets decorating the pages, available in both hardback and paperback editions this would make a brilliant alternative to a chocolate Easter egg if you are stuck for a gift and is of course one that can be enjoyed long past this weekend.

As if this were not enough the story of Easter can be shared with Caroline Church's Here Comes Easter featuring an eggciting Easter egg hunt and a number learning exercise - a fun book that helps children learn on many levels and with a durable board book format this is perfect for even the littlest and most chocolate covered fingers! Finally why not turn to Val Gorbachev's charming Little Chick, the story a mother hen and her lost chick told with charm and wit this is the story of how one missing chick causes a great search, only to be found safe and sound taking a nap - will any of the characters learn? Turn to this for a charming read and a nice wind down after a hectic day at any time but perhaps especially this weekend!

Books for Fun

There has been considerably more focus, or so it seems, recently on books that make us laugh. Children, and adults are spoilt in the modern world for there are so many options providing entertainment from the television and films to PlayStation's and other computer platforms it is not surprising in some ways that books are often considered as the last choice for entertainment. Yet books are the perfect option, they don't take up too much room - unless you have lots and lots (and in my case even more than that!), they are instantly accessible, can be accessed and will and demand only your attention!

Books that make us laugh make us happy and it is scientifically proven that being happy and laughing is good for us, so its reading, so why not combine the two?

Perhaps we need to coin a new phrase of encouragement - a book a day.... what can we say? Suggestions are very welcome!

Laughing when we read, even smirking or giggling to ourselves is on of the great pleasures in life. Books do not need to be worth and hard work they just need to be fun and entertaining, taking us into other places with other people, sharing hopes and dreams as well as sadness and sorrow. Humour can actually help children understand some difficult and challenging topics so its power should not be underestimated. Funny books lift the heart mind and spirit and give us plenty to be occupied with. Reading is an innocent past time that can be shared or kept to oneself and taken almost anywhere. A book is for enjoyment so why not make it a funny book.

If you are stuck for ideas then why not try the Roald Dahl Funny Prize winners or perhaps have a look at the recommendations from the Blue Peter Book Awards. There are always plenty of suggestions in this very Blog and at the Armadillo website too - just to get you started!

I would love to hear your comments on this and any suggestions on a new phrase may even be featured and win a prize! Get those thinking caps on and get giggling!

Hans Christan Andersen Award Winners

Well I have been absent for a couple of weeks and so much has happened it is difficult to know where to start. However the thrilling news that David Almond has won the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Author Award must surely be the best place!

This award is probably the most prestigious of the international children's literature awards that can be given to an author. It is presented bi-annually and although the announcement has been made in Bologna at the annual book fair it will be in Spain that David will receive his medal.

The medal and award are given by IBBY, the International Board on Books for Young People, to an author and also an illustrator - that category was won by Jutta Bauer, a German illustrator - whose work is considered to have made a considerable and lasting contribution to children's literature.

David Almond is an author who has been contributing to children's literature for many years with his special combination of magic and realism and one of his best known books and his very first, Skellig, which won the Carnegie medal is an influential and much loved story. What is particularly special about his writing is the way in which he can capture the hearts and minds of his intended audience - children - yet also adults too. David has written a number of other titles, all of which continue to challenge and inspire his readers.

I am sure readers of Armadillo and this blog will join with me in extending congratulations to both David and Jutta on their achievements.

Relaunch Takes Off In Style!

I may not have the best mathematical mind words rather than numbers mean alot more to me but when I heard that Steve Cole has written 45 books in 5 years and that over 2 million copies of the Astrosaurs series have now been sold even I was stunned by such numbers!

Such is the success of the series that Steve Cole created just a few years ago that last night, despite the rain, a group of adult fans and friends joined Steve and his RHCB cadet team to celebrate his achievement, see the Astorsaurs books with bright new covers and get a sneaky preview of a brand new series.

It seems that Steve Cole is unstoppable for this year he will launch Slime Busters a new series whose tag line is Fighting Crime with Slime! There will be the second book in the Z-Rex series for older readers and his very first picture book too. This is an author whose imagination knows no bounds and who throws himself with great enthusiasm into all aspects of his work. Steve was as stunned by the numbers as the rest of us, was enjoying a great party and was particularly pleased to have met Woody Fox, the talented illustrator of his books who had come up all the way from Devon.

Thanks go to Steve for a brilliant series of books and yet more to look forward to and also the team at RHCB for finding him, keeping him and letting us all in for a sneak preview of some exciting new stories to come this year.

Retro Book Fun

Today I took myself and my somewhat reluctant husband to a second hand book fair. Whilst the draw for me was the books it was also the records, I love my old fashioned vinyl and in the same way I love my old books. New books to are quite a draw so I has a very happily occupied browsing, picking up lots of books for a good look and it was great to see lots of families and children there too – also picking up and enjoying the touch and feel of the books as well as the stories and information that they were finding in them.

This brings me very nicely to the topic of today’s Blog which is touch and feel books. Once again I have been relearning the pleasure of books that provide the opportunity to interact and learn at the same time. Inparticular this week I have been looking at two titles in anew series from Lornea Siminovich. The series is Petitcollage and the two books are ‘I Like Fruit’ and ‘I Like Bugs’. They are specifically designed for sharing with babies, the first introduces not only fruit but also colours. Red, Green, Yellow, Orange and Blue are the fruits, each double page spread divides its first page into four squares, one with the colour and three with the fruit whilst its facing page features a collage picture of the fruit of which one section has been cut away to reveal a touch and feel patch. In the Bugs title children are encouraged to count as well as learn about bugs. They can count up to five, discover some fascinating looking bugs from a dragonfly to a beetle and some very fluffy bees. There are beautiful pictures made up of many colours and patterns to look at and certainly a lot to learn! The collage nature of the pictures provide different patterns and designs to look at in the Fruit titles whilst the Bugs titles does this and also gives children simple images of gardens and plants to pour over. The bright, vibrant and interactive feel of these books will be certain to charm and entertain little eyes, minds and hands for many hours!

Once children have learnt how much fun it is to have some interactive fun with books then why not think about introducing them to ‘Funny Felt Animals Faces’. I had great fun making up silly faces for Lion, Giraffe, Elephant, Monkey and Parrot! It felt very retro too for I remember having hours of fun playing with Fuzzy Felt as a child! You can follow the instructions built into the text of the simple story and make the faces fit or have fun and play around making up your own pictures. This book assures children that they can play with their books as well as read and learn from the text. It provides a wonderful opportunity to have fun and learn without perhaps realising it!

Now I must go and have some more fun, listening to audio books but I will leave you with the suggestion that you go out and find some fun books to interact with or share with some little ones, rekindle a love of books for fun as well as learning and then perhaps share with us all at Armadillo anything you have particularly enjoyed.

Books of Love and Flowers for Valentines'

Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love; it is usual to find gifts of flowers and chocolate from a loved one on such a day. How often are any of us given books – would we even consider a book on a day of love? Well if the answer is no then I would urge you to rethink after all we have all fallen in love with a book and often declare how much we love to read so why not consider giving a book as an expression of love? Rather than the usual gifts from husband to wife, boyfriend to girlfriend and so on, why not think about giving a child a gift on Valentine’s Day, after all we love them too.

I have found two books perfect for sharing on Valentine’s Day, books that will be loved by children and adults alike. The first is Love-A Duck written by Alan James Brown with illustrations by Francesca Chessa and published by Meadowside. It is an adorable story of one little yellow duck, Love-a-Duck, and his bath-time companion Jane. Love-a-Duck has lost his squeak and when he inadvertently falls out of the bathroom window he sets out on an exciting adventure to find it again and to discover just how special he really is. A simple and charming story to share with bright, vibrant, solid and simple illustration to charm the youngest reader at bath and bedtime this is a warm, witty and loving story with delightful illustration.

For older readers, young listeners and I would certainly say adults too I suggest Flower Heaven by Else Wenz-Vietor, published by Floris Books. With its solid hardback, red spine binding and flower-fairy-esq front cover illustration this book has a wide appeal before the pages have even been turned. It tells the story mistreated flowers who have found their way to Flower Heaven where they are tended, nurtured and kept safe by the gentle flower angels. Taking place over just one evening there are snipped roses, de-petaled daisies and thirsty garlands. Over the course of the evening the flowers tell their tale and the angels tend to their patients. This charming, simple and slightly old-fashioned story presents the flower’s point of view and gently explains to the young listener how they might perhaps better care for the beauty and bounty of the nature around them. As I say a book for children and adults alike.

Both titles would make charming gifts of love on a Valentine’s Day and charming reading all year round. Share the gift of love as often as you can with a book.

Interactive Book Fun!

This week has been great fun because I have been playing with novelty children’s books. Often I am asked why I have these books and what use they are – the answer is that I think it is very important for interactive books aimed at babies (and their parents) as well as toddlers are given reviews. Anyone with young children will know how difficult it is when entering any bookshop to decide between the sheer mass of books that have been created for this group of children, but being able to find out what even a small selection of them are like is very important.

This brings me to ‘Bouncy Books’. There are four books in this charming series, Jungle, Garden, Pets and Farm. Each book introduces children to four associated animals. Collect the series and children will have an understanding of 16 animals, they will learn what they are called and where they live, they will also get the opportunity to play with the books for the animals in these books bounce! It is great to be able to interact with a book, look at the pictures, play with them and have a learning experience at the same time. Fun, entertaining and educational these are a great set of books.

As well as this I have been testing my skills of dexterity with Splashy Sea and Busy Bugs, two books in the new ‘Lacing Card Books’ series. These books come with press out pieces that need lacing. They are certainly for the older toddler; perhaps those starting school needing to learn co-ordination skills. They are however great for any children (or adults) who want to practise their manual dexterity skills! Wonderfully vibrant pictures combined with interesting facts that have been written with the young reader’s education in mind combine to create another set of must-have fun books.

Revitalise your own and your child’s relationship with books by testing out some of these fun, lively and refreshingly different interactive, educational offerings.