In a little departure from the norm, today I’m not reviewing a book, but rather a film, Eleanor’s Secret, directed by Dominique Monfery.
The reason why I’ve wanted to share Eleanor’s Secret with you is because it is a celebration of the joy of reading and a tribute to the power and magic of stories.
Seven year old Nat cannot yet read and is terribly disappointed when he discovers he has inherited his Aunt’s library. Although he adored having stories read to him by his Aunt, when Nat himself opens a book he almost drowns in a jumble of letters. Understandably Nat wants nothing to do with what makes him feel so uncomfortable.
For me, illustration MAKES a good children’s book....whether it’s the cover that initially grabs someone’s attention or the interior drawings and sketches that keep the plot bouncing along with enough amusing or – in many cases – breathtaking additions to the text.
I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the most gifted illustrators in the field.Bob Lea brought the Illmoor Chronicles and Davey Swag to life with his vibrant portraits of my oddball characters, while James de la Rue managed to install SO much action into the Gladiator Boy books that the readers regularly told me they felt like they were ‘living’ inside the arena!
Well, I’ve been on my travels again publicising SPINDLEWOOD TALES.
Pip and the Twilight Seekers is the second instalment in the series and so, assisted by Victoria Roberts from Publicity we took to the road in the Spindlewood Carriage and headed for our first stop.
A little up date on Temujin Doran being picked as one of the eight finalists for the Nokia Shorts 2011 with 'The Adventures of a Cardboard Box'! Here's Tem's 'The Making of - Part 1.
I was working as a teaching assistant in a reception class when the idea struck me to make this book. The kids I worked with were a real racial mix, so when we started looking at nursery rhymes the traditional characters didn't feel particularly representative. I started sketching the kids while they ran around like loons at playtime, and eventually came up with my Mary character.
Many congratulations to Temujin Doran on being picked as one of the eight finalists for the Nokia Shorts 2011 with 'The Adventures of a Cardboard Box'! Over 600 talented filmmakers pitched to Nokia Shorts this year with ideas ranging from documentary, to comedy, to post-apocalyptic western.
