Nicola O’Byrne’s ‘Open Very Carefully’ Kick Starts a Whole Generation of Young Readers

Following an award studded 2014 for Bright star Nicola O’Byrne - including the coveted Waterstones Children’s Book Prize - this year was already set to consist of gleaming prosperity. The BookTrust‘s Booktime story for 2015 – that is to be gifted to 700,000 reception-aged children in UK – is Nicola O’Byrne’s debut picture book, Open Very Carefully (Nosy Crow).

The book with bite, which was brokered by Bright M.D Vicki Willden-Lebrecht, has been a seemingly huge success with children of all ages, their parents & schools the world over. Kate Wilson, Managing Director of Nosy Crow, aptly describes why the book has been received so well by young readers -

‘With its invitation to interactivity, its humour and its stylish but accessible illustration, Open Very Carefully seems to have really wide appeal’

The Nosy Crow book, which is to be distributed to all UK school children aged 4-5, will be accompanied by a Booktime pack that provides guidance & notes for parents aimed at installing the importance of reading with their children.

 With a reach of two million children & families, the BookTrust is Britain’s largest reading charity. As the organisation’s 10th Booktime story to be gifted to every reception child in UK, Open Very Carefully will no doubt continue to grace the shelves of more and more young readers this year – especially with the availability of 13 languages.

See Nicola O’Byrne’s Literary Portfolio HERE for previous titles, awards & upcoming projects.

Nicola O’Byrne is represented by the Bright Group

Just Published: Foxy Tales – The Cunning Plan illustrated by Alex T Smith

Whilst Alex T Smith is busy touring the country as the official World Book Day illustrator, he has another book published this month by Hodder. Foxy Tales, A Cunning Plan is the first in a series of fiction titles which are a spin off from his popular picture books Egg and Catch Us if You Can Can, reuniting Foxy DuBois and the dastardly Alphonso the Alligator. Hodder have teamed Alex up with author Caryl Hart and the dynamic duo have created an hilarious tale of mayhem and mischief, perfect for young readers AND their parents!

Pirate Gran

Rose Forshall's illustrations for the Pirate Gran series of children's books, are coming to life at a theatre near you soon!

Pirate Gran has been dramatised by Scamp theatre from the books written by Geraldine Durrant, illustrated by Rose and published by the National Maritime Museum. We love this poster and can't wait to see what Rose's characters look like in 3D!

Niroot Puttapipat’s ‘Just So Stories’ for The Folio Society

Niroot was selected by The Folio Society to illustrate a special limited edition of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Just So Stories’. Niroot created 14 beautiful illustrations to accompany the stories, printed with gold borders. The Folio Society describe the set ‘With exquisite paintings and pen-and-ink illustrations by Niroot Puttapipat, this is the definitive collector's edition’. Copies are bound to order, to purchase your own remarkable set to keep please visit the Folio website.

Reptile Brain Music

BoomArtwork produces an album cover for Swedish rock band Imperial State Electric.
Nicke Andersson; former front man of The Hellacopters approached BoomArtwork to create the art for the vinyl album of his new band. He asked for something bold and vintage to illustrate the record title 'Reptile Brain Music', so BoomArtwork set to work using his fabulous design and illustrative skills and made this punchy retro visual, he says "... First I drew the hand of Zeus with my brush and ink, and then the crocodiles eating each other's tail. In Photoshop I placed everything together and then started with the typography. Instead of using an existing typeface I thought it would make the album more special to create custom lettering. After finishing I added some filters to make it look like it was released in the 70's. It was so much fun to illustrate an LP album cover, as it is such a cool, tactile canvas to work on."

BoomArtwork is represented by Illustration