The master of chuckles, Guy Bass and the dastardly charming illustrator Steve May are back with another hilarious caper, this time set in the heart of the lawless Wild West!
Mix and Match: Farm Animals, published by Walker Books, is the newest addition to the Baby Walker range and is perfect for little ones who love animals. Both stylish and interactive this book within a book introduces children to farm animals and their noises and the mix-and-match game makes learning fun.
Rachael Saunders has previously worked with Walker on a number of titles including Pop-Up Crown Jewels and Pop-Up Kings and Queens. and we are thrilled to see the series being so successful with another title due for release in the spring, Pop-Up Palace Pets.
Carrie May was honoured to be asked to illustrate Abi Elphinstone's World Book Day title Ever Dark published by Simon & Schuster. Carrie's stunning cover transports us to another world, making her ethereal style a great choice for this enthralling tale.
Mix and Match: Farm Animals, published by Walker Books, is the newest addition to the Baby Walker range and is perfect for little ones who love animals. Both stylish and interactive this book within a book introduces children to farm animals and their noises and the mix-and-match game makes learning fun.
Rachael Saunders has previously worked with Walker on a number of titles including Pop-Up Crown Jewels and Pop-Up Kings and Queens. and we are thrilled to see the series being so successful with another title due for release in the spring, Pop-Up Palace Pets.
We’re thrilled that Thomas Flintham’s fabulously funny Press Start! GAME OVER, Super Rabbit Boy! won the Emerging Reads category of Sheffield Children’s Book Awards 2018. Celebrating its 30th year, and voted for by a team of expert book worms from school libraries across Sheffield, this award celebrates the best of the best.
Katerina Kerouli - has been busily working non stop since she joined Artist Partners on two new picture books, but she has also found some time to produce other images as samples for her folio.
Her work is both charming and quirky. The dog was inspired by the film Isle of Dogs, and the bats were just a bit of fun.
We have updated Katerina's website folio with other fabulous new images, to see more of Katerina's work please go to the website.
Written by Metin Karayaka and illustrated by Rohan Eason, Benice is a wonderful story about friendship and discovery.
Prepare to be wowed by Rohan Eason's latest illustrations for this charming ebook which has been published this week.
Its a sweet old fashioned story alikened to Kidnapped or Treasure Island, with friendship and love at its heart. Starring sharks, pirates, parrots, parents, lobster-popsters, Seabubbles, Giant Yang Yang, Little Fan Fan, aunties, sisters, brothers and friends, Benice will take you on a journey that’s as heartwarming as it is hair-raising.
Rohan's distinct style of illustration brings the story to life with images of pirates, parrots and much more ...jumping out of the pages.
Rohan tells us a bit more about the book,
"It has allowed me to explore a new process and add full colour to my repertoire, using heritage coloured naturally pigmented inks to create a strong and vibrant dimension to my black and white drawings. The author Metin asked me to create works that would punctuate a nightly reading of the book to his children, something to dream of, and inspire, hopefully I've done just that."
Wow! We are so impressed by Laura Barrett’s amazing pop-up version of Christian Andersen’s classic tale, The Snow Queen. It is a beautiful book which took a huge amount of skill to create so we asked Laura to tell us how the project came about and her approach to the work.
Check out Robyn’s rundown of the key ingredients for illustration success in this field:
Consider your audience and your buyer
As well as being perfect for the target market in both style and substance, the look and feel of the book must be appealing to the adult that is most likely to be purchasing the book. Think about the tastes and current trends that are likely to grab the attention of book buyers.
Accept constructive criticism from those in the know
The editorial and design team will have bags of experience and be directly in touch with sales people so have faith that their feedback will always be based on really valid market information. Even if changes can seem random at times, trust that the outcome will only improve sales of your book. For example, covers that are green sell less well than red covers! It’s a thing - I promise!
Be aware of global tastes with regard to facial features
It is worth having a selection of different eyes and noses up your sleeve (so to speak), and in your portfolio. Features can often be a sticking point as some looks work better in some markets than others. Design teams will often ask for options so it is worth being flexible.
Artwork credit (left to right): Top row: Dan Widdowson; Hannah Peck; bottom row: Benji Davies; Nan Lawson.
Diversity
Be mindful that your book might be sold across the globe and should appeal to all children and their families, whomever they are and wherever they are in the world.
Artwork credit (left to right): Top: Rosie Butcher; Aura Lewis; Alea Marley; Sophie Beer.
Characters
For younger children, it’s great to be obvious, but for older audiences, don’t over-egg it! When we are surprised, we don’t always throw our hands up to our faces, or gasp when we are shocked, for example, so think about more natural reactions and gestures when creating character poses. Use friends as models to get expressions and limb positions just right.
Humour
Wherever there are characters, a children’s publisher is looking for a little bit of humour, so don’t be afraid to add extra detail or funny elements. Humour appeals to all children (while subtle comedy can lend a book all-important appeal for adults, too), and can really help make your artwork stand out from the crowd. It doesn’t have to include reference to bodily functions, although – to paraphrase the great Ade Edmondson of Bottom fame – a fart is always funny…
Ben Mantle, from Giant Jelly Paws and the Pirates, written by Helen Baugh and published by HarperCollins, 2015.
Novelties
This is the terminology for any extra elements on books that add play value, so that’s anything from flaps and sliders to pull-tabs and pop-ups! Good design teams should always provide clear die-lines and briefing notes if these elements are part of the book you are working on, but it is worth becoming familiar with how these work. Spend an hour in a local bookshop in the board book section to familiarise yourself with moving parts, or buy a few novelty books from charity shops and take them apart!
Demonstrating just a handful of different activity elements that might be used to enhance 'play value' in a novelty publication (featuring interiors from the Bizzy Bear series, illustrated by Benji Davies and published by Nosy Crow).
Always ask the question
Don’t feel silly for asking your assigned designer lots of questions: they will be happy to answer anything and will be super-relieved that you asked instead of getting confused by something.
Make the best out of briefs
In my experience, a designer will always prefer to brief you in the way that best suits you. From the outset, do say if there is a particular way you like to work – or, if you are mid-project and struggling with the way it is being briefed, don’t feel afraid to ask for an alternative approach.
And finally…
…Ask your agent
We are here for you: to support, advise, and help to develop your work – and to be your champion. If you need any assistance, would like some insider advice, or simply want us to ask a publisher something on your behalf, just let us know: that’s what we’re here for!
