ONE day until THE QUEEN'S HAT! "SWOOOOOOOSH!"

One of  10 things I drew that happened OUTSIDE of 'The Queen's Hat' to celebrate the countdown to the book's publication.

Not even the Red Arrows could keep up with 'The Queen's Hat'.

'The Queen's Hat', published by Hodder Children's Books, will be out on May 1st. Pre-order online or at your local bookshop! 

ONE day until publication!

CONTEST: As part of the 10 day countdown, you can WIN one of six signed Royal Guards. Just tweet this blog post @MrSteveAntony with the hashtag #TQHcountdown or 'like' my Facebook posts with #TQHcountdown hashtag. The more you like or tweet, the more chance you have of winning. Names will be put in MY hat and picked randomly. Three Facebook 'like' winners and three Twitter 'retweet' winners will be announced on my Facebook and Twitter the evening of May 2nd.

TWO days until THE QUEEN'S HAT! "Run, Boris, run!"

One of  10 things I drew that happened OUTSIDE of 'The Queen's Hat' to celebrate the countdown to the book's publication.

The Mayor of London is not in 'The Queen's Hat', but if he was . . . 

'The Queen's Hat', published by Hodder Children's Books, will be out on May 1st. Pre-order online or at your local bookshop! 

TWO days until publication!

CONTEST: As part of the 10 day countdown, you can WIN one of six signed Royal Guards. Just tweet this blog post @MrSteveAntony with the hashtag #TQHcountdown or 'like' my Facebook posts with #TQHcountdown hashtag. The more you like or tweet, the more chance you have of winning. Names will be put in MY hat and picked randomly. Three Facebook 'like' winners and three Twitter 'retweet' winners will be announced on my Facebook and Twitter the evening of May 2nd.

THREE days until THE QUEEN'S HAT! "Salt and Vinegar?"

One of  10 things I drew that happened OUTSIDE of 'The Queen's Hat' to celebrate the countdown to the book's publication.

These guards are not in 'The Queen's Hat'. They had fish and chips, and free WiFi.

'The Queen's Hat', published by Hodder Children's Books, will be out on May 1st. Pre-order online or at your local bookshop! 

THREE days until publication!

CONTEST: As part of the 10 day countdown, you can WIN one of six signed Royal Guards. Just tweet this blog post @MrSteveAntony with the hashtag #TQHcountdown or 'like' my Facebook posts with #TQHcountdown hashtag. The more you like or tweet, the more chance you have of winning. Names will be put in MY hat and picked randomly. Three Facebook 'like' winners and three Twitter 'retweet' winners will be announced on my Facebook and Twitter the evening of May 2nd.

FOUR days until THE QUEEN'S HAT! "Is it a bird? Is it a plane?"

One of  10 things I drew that happened OUTSIDE of 'The Queen's Hat' to celebrate the countdown to the book's publication.

Is it a bird?

Is it a plane?

No.

It's the Queen!

'The Queen's Hat', published by Hodder Children's Books, will be out on May 1st. Pre-order online or at your local bookshop! 

FOUR days until publication!

CONTEST: As part of the 10 day countdown, you can WIN one of six signed Royal Guards. Just tweet this blog post @MrSteveAntony with the hashtag #TQHcountdown or 'like' my Facebook posts with #TQHcountdown hashtag. The more you like or tweet, the more chance you have of winning. Names will be put in MY hat and picked randomly. Three Facebook 'like' winners and three Twitter 'retweet' winners will be announced on my Facebook and Twitter the evening of May 2nd.

FIVE days until THE QUEEN'S HAT! "Wait for me!"

One of  10 things I drew that happened OUTSIDE of 'The Queen's Hat' to celebrate the countdown to the book's publication.

He wasn't dressed in time to be in 'The Queen's Hat'. 

'The Queen's Hat', published by Hodder Children's Books, will be out on May 1st. Pre-order online or at your local bookshop!  

FIVE days until publication!

CONTEST: As part of the 10 day countdown, you can WIN one of six signed Royal Guards. Just tweet this blog post @MrSteveAntony with the hashtag #TQHcountdown or 'like' my Facebook posts with #TQHcountdown hashtag. The more you like or tweet, the more chance you have of winning. Names will be put in MY hat and picked randomly. Three Facebook 'like' winners and three Twitter 'retweet' winners will be announced on my Facebook and Twitter the evening of May 2nd.

The Book Sniffer holds crazy Queen's Hat Comp on Twitter

The Book Sniffer @maybeswabey is holding a really funny #hatcomp over on Twitter RIGHT NOW. I've been laughing all morning at all the photos! The winner gets a signed Big Ben print (from 'The Queen's Hat'). Just for fun, here's me wearing a sombrero, a visor and a cat that wouldn't be a hat. Thanks to The Book Sniffer for holding such an entertaining and engaging contest on Twitter - it's fantastic to see people having such a laugh with their hats (and 'hats'). Hats off to the pug! I'll post more about this later.

SIX days until THE QUEEN'S HAT! "I've already got a hat."

One of  10 things I drew that happened OUTSIDE of 'The Queen's Hat' to celebrate the countdown to the book's publication.

In between pages, 'The Queen's Hat' briefly landed here. 

'The Queen's Hat', published by Hodder Children's Books, will be out on May 1st. Pre-order online or at your local bookshop!  

SIX days until publication!

CONTEST: As part of the 10 day countdown, you can WIN one of six signed Royal Guards. Just tweet this blog post @MrSteveAntony with the hashtag #TQHcountdown or 'like' my Facebook posts with #TQHcountdown hashtag. The more you like or tweet, the more chance you have of winning. Names will be put in MY hat and picked randomly. Three Facebook 'like' winners and three Twitter 'retweet' winners will be announced on my Facebook and Twitter the evening of May 2nd.

SEVEN days until THE QUEEN'S HAT! "Zzzzzzz."

One of  10 things I drew that happened OUTSIDE of 'The Queen's Hat' to celebrate the countdown to the book's publication.

Larry and Freya, Chief Mousers to the Cabinet Office, are not in 'The Queen's Hat' because they were catnapping. 

'The Queen's Hat', published by Hodder Children's Books, will be out on May 1st. Pre-order online or at your local bookshop!  

SEVEN days until publication!

CONTEST: As part of the 10 day countdown, you can WIN one of six signed Royal Guards. Just tweet this blog post @MrSteveAntony with the hashtag #TQHcountdown or 'like' my Facebook posts with #TQHcountdown hashtag. The more you like or tweet, the more chance you have of winning. Names will be put in MY hat and picked randomly. Three Facebook 'like' winners and three Twitter 'retweet' winners will be announced on my Facebook and Twitter the evening of May 2nd.

EIGHT days until THE QUEEN'S HAT! "But what about MY hat?"

One of  10 things I drew that happened OUTSIDE of 'The Queen's Hat' to celebrate the countdown to the book's publication.

The Queen's Swan is not in 'The Queen's Hat' because he was chasing a hat of his own. 

'The Queen's Hat', published by Hodder Children's Books, will be out on May 1st. Pre-order online or at your local bookshop!  

EIGHT days until publication!

CONTEST: As part of the 10 day countdown, you can WIN one of six signed Royal Guards. Just tweet this blog post @MrSteveAntony with the hashtag #TQHcountdown or 'like' my Facebook posts with #TQHcountdown hashtag. The more you like or tweet, the more chance you have of winning. Names will be put in MY hat and picked randomly. Three Facebook 'like' winners and three Twitter 'retweet' winners will be announced on my Facebook and Twitter the evening of May 2nd.

NINE days until THE QUEEN'S HAT! "Look. A McDonald's*."

One of  10 things I drew that happened OUTSIDE of 'The Queen's Hat' to celebrate the countdown to the book's publication.

Barbara and Ed are not in 'The Queen's Hat' because they got lost on their way to Big Ben. 

'The Queen's Hat', published by Hodder Children's Books, will be out on May 1st. Pre-order online or at your local bookshop!  

NINE days until publication!

*other fast food restaurants are available

CONTEST: As part of the 10 day countdown, you can WIN one of six signed Royal Guards. Just tweet this blog post @MrSteveAntony with the hashtag #TQHcountdown or 'like' my Facebook posts with #TQHcountdown hashtag. The more you like or tweet, the more chance you have of winning. Names will be put in MY hat and picked randomly. Three Facebook 'like' winners and three Twitter 'retweet' winners will be announced on my Facebook and Twitter the evening of May 2nd.

TEN days until THE QUEEN'S HAT! "Grrrrr!"

One of  10 things I drew that happened OUTSIDE of 'The Queen's Hat' to celebrate the countdown to the book's publication.

Bruno is NOT impressed with 'The Queen's Hat' mostly because he is not in it, despite having worn his favourite bow tie.

'The Queen's Hat', published by Hodder Children's Books, will be out on May 1st. Pre-order online or at your local bookshop!  

TEN days until publication!

CONTEST: As part of the 10 day countdown, you can WIN one of six signed Royal Guards. Just tweet this blog post @MrSteveAntony with the hashtag #TQHcountdown or 'like' my Facebook posts with #TQHcountdown hashtag. The more you like or tweet, the more chance you have of winning. Names will be put in MY hat and picked randomly. Three Facebook 'like' winners and three Twitter 'retweet' winners will be announced on my Facebook and Twitter the evening of May 2nd.

CONTESTS for Twitterers and Facebookers!

I've got a few contests up my sleeve to celebrate the May 1st publication of 'The Queen's Hat' (Hodder Children's)! For a chance to win one of these signed guards, or a signed copy of the book OR a print of the Big Ben spread you'll need to follow me on TWITTER or FACEBOOK, then ALL will be revealed.

You could win one of these signed guards!

'The Queen's Hat' release: a countdown, a contest and more!

Inspired by an amusing news article, THE QUEEN'S HAT is a bonkers book about London, the wind and a butler with excellent tray-balancing skills.

OK, I am building up to the May release of  THE QUEEN'S HAT:  a book that was simply inspired by a newspaper photo, which I happened to notice, of the Queen holding on to her hat on a windy day. (In fact, the book was just an exercise in sequential illustration for a uni project. I never really expected it to become my first book!)

Firstly, I'll be in this week's issue of The Bookseller answering questions about the book. I'm mega flattered that they wanted to feature my first book!

Secondly, I will be holding a 10 day countdown to THE QUEEN'S HAT with things that happened OUTSIDE the book via my blog, Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag: #TQHcountdown

Thirdly, I've teamed up with The Book Sniffer to hold an exciting CONTEST via Twitter (details are to be confirmed, but chances are it will involve audience participation) where you can win a signed Big Ben print from the book, and a signed copy of the THE QUEEN'S HAT. I've also answered some rather amusing questions for the Sniffer's specially themed blog post too, which will be posted later! The Book Sniffer is such a great blog, and I'm super stoked to be collaborating with the literary world's most revered pug.

And I might have a few other things up my sleeve too.

After the release, I'll be out and about. I've got a spot at both the Hay Festival and Hoo's Kids Book Fest, PLUS I'll be live drawing images from 'The Queen's Hat' in the window at Foyles grand opening of their new flagship store in London! All event details are HERE.

Phew!

Win a signed print of this illustration from the 'The Queen's Hat'!

The Bologna Children's Book Fair 2014

It was AMAZING - and, for me, it was amazing for five reasons.

Reason 1: Mr Panda

My third picture book, 'Please Mr Panda' (Hodder Children's Books) was revealed to the world, and I can tell you that behind his ordinarily expressionless face, Mr Panda is secretly smiling! 

Me and the panda. Can you spot 'The Queen's Hat' on the shelf?

I took this photo right after pinching myself.

An obligatory selfie with Mr Panda.

Mr Panda's official launch!

Reason 2: Betty

My second picture book, 'Betty Goes Bananas' (OUP), which was launched at the Frankfurt Book Fair, had a poster of her own!

Betty preparing for her almighty tantrum.

A chance meeting with 'Betty's' lovely US publisher was a perfect photo opportunity!

Reason 3: My first presentation at a book fair

I took part in a presentation, alongside the hugely talented author/illustrators, Sarah Lodge and Carolina Rabei, which was about 'digital printmaking'- how traditional print processes relate to and inform our digitally generated work. Martin Salisbury organised and led the presentation - so thanks, Martin, for allowing me to ramble. Thanks also to the audience for coming, and thank you to Ariane Hofmann-Maniyar for sending me these photos!

Me talking about me.

No, it's not a touch screen.

Me talking about banana paper.

From left to right: Martin Salisbury, Sarah Lodge, Carolina Rabei and me.

Blah blah.

Reason 4: Friends!

Books aside, one of the best things about the Bologna Children's Book Fair, for me, was spending quality time with friends and forming new friendships. One of my very good friends, Elena, had a book launch at her publisher's stand, and, unsurprisingly, she sold out!

Elena and her stunning picture book debut. 

Reason 5: The MA Children's Book Illustration stand

These guys rock big time!

A bad photo of a great stand.

...and, of course, the books, THE BOOKS. So many books, so little time, and sadly (from me) not many photos of them; and there were the evenings too, but I might save that for another blog post.

I have to say a massive thank you to my agent, Elizabeth Roy, the Hodder team and the OUP team, along with the MA tutors at Anglia.

See you next year, Bologna!

Until next time . . .

Hold on to your hat!

My debut outing into the wonderful world of picture books will be 'The Queen's Hat', published by Hodder Children's Books. I've had great fun with this book, and I intend to keep on having fun with it. So, for the lead up to the launch date, May 1st, I will be counting down the days by posting some rather amusing images of things that happened outside of the book - and I can't tell you how brilliant it's been to really indulge myself in this Great British Countdown! I won't give anything away just yet, so you'll just have to watch this space. If you don't already, follow me on Twitter and Facebook, as I'll be using the hashtag #TQHcountdown to mark each of these posts.

In other news, I've got some fun events already planned for May, including one at the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts and one at Hoo's Kids Book Fest! I'll post more on that a bit later though. Cheerio for now!

Happy World Book Day!

My cat dressed up for the occasion.

What is it?

The proofs for my third picture book (my second with Hodder Children's Books) arrived in the post yesterday! Here is a ridiculously tiny sneak peek. This one is going to the Bologna Children's Book Fair in a few weeks, and its publication date for the hardback edition is next Jan; and it features two of my favourite things in the whole wide world.

The Queen's Hat Cover

Here is the front cover of 'The Queen's Hat' - my first picture book publication! It will be published first in hardback in the UK on May 1st by Hodder Children's Books - so that's 95 days until publication... and counting.

What started out as a university project has evolved into a full-blown picture book! 

At the risk of sounding over dramatic, a lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into this, and I couldn't be happier with the end result. If you like London, the Queen, or picking out interesting and amusing details in illustrations, then I think you might like this book (or at least I hope you will)!

Betty Goes Bananas

Betty Goes Bananas 

Published by Oxford University Press

• Hardback  7th Aug 2014

• Paperback  15th Feb 2015 (UK)

• E-book 31st July 2014

Who would have thought a banana could cause such a BIG drama?

Pre-order online or at your local bookshop.

My second picture book, 'Betty Goes Bananas', will be published first in hardback in the UK on August 31st by Oxford University Press. I had great fun developing the character for this book. Betty is very expressive. I tried to capture her character with bold lines and expressive mark-making. I even used banana paper to fit the theme. 

Let's just say that Betty, the toddler gorilla with the pink ribbon in her hair, has a few tantrums herself - and over what: a banana?! I'm sure everyone probably knows one or two 'Betty's' - I do!

Press here for blog posts tagged with 'Betty Goes Bananas'.

2014 Picture Book Releases

The Queen's Hat Hardback (Hodder Children's Books) May 2014

A sudden gust of wind sets off a marvellous adventure for the Queen, lots of Queen's Men, and one very special hat. Just where will that hat land? A witty and stylish celebration of London, the Queen, and the new royal baby.

Pre-order online or at your local bookshop.

Betty Goes Bananas Hardback (Oxford University Press) Aug 2014

Who would have thought a banana could cause such a BIG drama?

Pre-order online or at your local bookshop.