War - not an easy subject, so let's talk about working together

There are several picture books that tackle difficult subjects and they each have something unique to offer. 

My desire was to simplify to its core what is an anything but simple subject so that people can add their own interpretations and apply it to just about any kind of conflict.

Everything in GREEN LIZARDS VS RED RECTANGLES was intentional - the digitally drawn faceless rectangles, the hand drawn characteristic lizards, the death, the life, the hope, the two complimenting colours, the word TRUCE. 

WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR and ENOUGH IS ENOUGH are the two statements that really stand out and that was absolutely intentional because what are we/you fighting for and when is 'enough enough' in any kind of altercation, disagreement or war?

'8 Red Rectangles' 

'8 Red Rectangles' 

It's also an exercise in design, which was initially inspired by '8 Red Rectangles' by Malevich. Even I didn't know how these two entities would visually resolve their differences until the end of drawing this story. And despite it's overall simplistic design, it was not a simple task to populate this book with so many lizards and rectangles. And because of my red-green colourblindness (oh, the irony) I have developed a very effective but very tedious and time-consuming process to render my final illustrations. Let's just say that this is compiled from HUNDREDS of layers in Photoshop. Nor was it easy to work out the visual actions and reactions, but it was fun. 

And if you look closely, there are some sad scenes. At one point I actually got really emotional drawing these little reptiles. Each lizard has its own story. If you get this book, really take a good look - A REALLY GOOD LOOK - at all the lizards. They're not all fighting. In fact, most are NOT fighting. And the ones that are fighting are inadvertently hurting other lizards. Hang on, are the rectangles JUST lifeless objects? Are the lizards fighting against themselves without even realising it? You could get really deep with this... I did. 

I realise it was a bold move to include a 'death'. But that was the catalyst for the 'biggest war ever'. Often, war is because war was, until someone has the audacity to pose the most direct question of all, or proclaim that enough really is enough. I did intentionally soften this scene by using the word 'squashed'. And, if you look closely, you might spot a little bandaged lizard on every page after the 'squash' so maybe she/he is ok after all. That's up to you. 

UK Hardback 

UK Hardback 

It's been really great to see how classes have interpreted the book and how they've taken my 'simple' take on war and turned it into a lengthy discussion. I had a really interesting chat about the book with some college teens recently. Why rectangles? Why red? Why green? Why are they fighting? Why are we fighting? One person even suggested that the war started because a lizard and rectangle were in love (they got this from the final 'kiss' scene on the hardback's endpapers). 

The book doesn't explain why they are warring or how it all started. I don't know why the war started, I just know they're at war and that war is getting them nowhere. 

The two sides are very different from each other but they have one thing in common - the book. Perhaps they are just fighting for space. 

I could go on and on about how I important I feel this book is and how it can be as simple or as complex as you would like it to be. Even though it tackles a weighty subject, it's actually quite a fun book, if you want it to be, and could lead to discussions about 'working together'. I know it's not commercial, but I don't care about that. Maybe it will go under the radar. Who knows? I wrote this book because I felt compelled to do so, and I'm really glad that I did. 

You can buy the book here, or your fav bookstore, or you can borrow it from your nearest library. 

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Lifeboat Illustration Auction is happening NOW

A couple of my prints are available to bid on here: http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/lifeboat

This amazing auction is selling original illustrations, limited edition prints  and signed books by some fantastic  children's authors and illustrators. 

All the money raised is going straight to The School Bus Project who are converting buses into mobile schools that will provide vital education & support to the refugees trapped across Europe.

***UPDATE*** The auction has now closed. Congratulations to the winning bidders!

My role as Patron of Swindon Libraries Children's Services

I am excited an honoured to announce the news that I've been made Patron of Swindon Libraries Children's Services.

As a local Swindon resident, I feel passionately about the values of libraries to our town.

Swindon Libraries provide an amazing and invaluable service, and I look forward to supporting my local librarians by taking part in events and promoting the great things they offer our community.

Thank you, Swindon Libraries, for this wonderful opportunity.

Monster in the Hood Contest Entries

Wow! I was so overwhelmed with the amount of entries for the Monster in the Hood colouring contest that I decided to pick 6 winners, instead of just 1. I'll be announcing the winners throughout the week on Twitter, and I'll post all six winners here on my site a little later. Each winner will receive a signed copy of Monster in the Hood. *UPDATE* The winning entries are below.

The winning entries!

The winning entries!

Monster Launch 30th May at Waterstones

Come and join me for an interactive story telling session at Waterstones, Salisbury. We'll be celebrating the launch of 'Monster in the Hood'. This a free event, suitable for all ages. Waterstones, Salisbury has chosen Monster in the Hood as their 'Picture Book of the Month' of June! For more details on the event press HERE. See you there! 

Please Mr Panda wins Oxfordshire Picture Book Award

I'm really pleased and honoured that PLEASE MR PANDA has won the Oxfordshire Picture Book Award for Best Picture Book! 

This is such fantastic news!

Highly commended is Oliver Jeffers' brilliant Once Upon an Alphabet.

Winner of Best Secondary Novel is The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson.

The winner of Best Primary Novel is the Astounding Broccoli Boy by Frank Cottrell Boyce and Steven Lenton.

National Doughnut Week in aid of The Children's Trust

7th - 14h May is National Doughnut Week!

National Doughnut Week aims to raise money to support The Children’s Trust, the leading charity for children with brain injury, so that they can continue to provide much needed rehabilitation work at their specialist centre.

Bakers across the whole of the UK are uniting for this cause and donating money earned from their doughnut sales to The Children's Trust.  I'm not so sure my homemade doughnuts would be all that edible, but I’m glad I can contribute with an illustrated one or two.

To find a participating bakery near you, please visit this page: http://nationaldoughnutweek.org/search.php#

For more information on The Children's Trust, please visit their website: http://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk

Enjoy your doughnuts! But remember to say PLEASE!

The Queen's Hat and Queen's Handbag Lessons

Maddy Barnes (teacher, English consultant, author, editor and blogger for Rising Stars) has devised two fantastic lesson plans - one is for THE QUEEN'S HAT and the other is for THE QUEEN'S HANDBAG. Maddy has kindly allowed me to share these on my blog. Below are screenshots of each lesson plan. More lesson plans and ideas can be found HERE.

And here is the plan for THE QUEEN'S HANDBAG.

Doughnuts for all at the Bologna Children's Book Fair

This year's Bologna Children's Book Fair had its highlights. Signing copies of PER FAVORE SIGNOR PANDA at my Italian publisher's stand was definitely one of them.

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Zoolibri has an absolutely fantastic list of picture books. They've translated some modern beauties by the likes of Klassen, Jeffers and the recently-translated 'A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO BEAR SPOTTING by the stupendously talented duo, Michelle Robinson and David Roberts. It's a huge honour to be part of Zoolibri's list.

It was amazing to meet illustrator, Maria Moya, at the stand. I was very touched by Maria's gift - a bespoke drawing of one of her wondrous characters reading PER FAVORE SIGNOR PANDA. Her work is magical. 

Below are some photos of my signing, complete with doughnuts! It was great to meet the awesome team behind the big 'Z'.

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An illustration for me, by the very talented Maria Moya.

An illustration for me, by the very talented Maria Moya.

L'omino del Blu (The Little Blue Seller) by Maria Moya

L'omino del Blu (The Little Blue Seller) by Maria Moya

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Ti andrebbe un dolcetto?

Ti andrebbe un dolcetto?

Mr Panda Yoga Classes Rolled Out in the UK

Today, the first Mr Panda yoga classes will take place across the UK.

The craze started in California, and now it's set to take the UK by storm. As of today, no less than 1,546 UK gyms will start holding Mr Panda yoga classes.

Each class will be led by Mr Panda, and you'll be stretching to the sound of doughnut themed songs, like 'I Would Do Anything for Doughnuts' by Nutloaf and 'Donut Worry, Be Happy' by Bobby McDough and 'Ice Me Baby' by Vanilla Icing.  If that doesn't wet your appetite, low-fat baked doughnuts will be handed out at the end of each class. Quote PLEASE for your first free session.

Have fun!

Tweet or Instagram and tag all your 'panda yoga' antics with #MrPandaYoga to @MrSteveAntony for a chance of winning a signed copy of PLEASE MR PANDA.

Check out these of photos of Mr Panda Yoga from around the world.

#yoga #yogalife #yogi #yogilife #armbalance #fallenangel #mrpandayoga #theonlywaytoread

A photo posted by Patrick Alanm (@patrickalanm) on

Monster in the Hood - A Bookseller June Highlight

It's always a thrill to discover a review, and it's even more exciting when it's the first review of an upcoming book. Below is a press cutting from The Bookseller. MONSTER IN THE HOOD was one of Fiona Noble's June highlights. MONSTER IN THE HOOD is out first in the UK on June 3rd.