My book-inspired Shaun raises 15K for charity
My 'The Queen's Hat' inspired Shaun in the City sculpture (complete with hidden characters from the book, including HRH herself) went under the hammer this evening and raised a whopping £15,000.00 for Wallace & Gromit's Children's Charity.
Collectively, all 120 custom designed Shaun the Sheep statues raised a staggering £1,087,900.00!
Congratulations to the winning bidder! Congratulations to all the winning bidders, the charity and every single person involved!
It was a real pleasure and an absolute honour to have been involved in this incredible cause. If you'd like to see the making of my Shaun the Sheep, press here.
Please Mr Panda Long-listed for the UKLA Book Award
Please Mr Panda's been long-listed for the UKLA Book Award! See the full list here: http://www.ukla.org/awards/ukla_book_award_2016/
Mary Berry, a selfie and an alien? 20 Things to spot in The Queen's Handbag
Hold on to your hats... and handbags! THE QUEEN'S HANDBAG is out NOW!
Prepare yourself for a rollicking race around the United Kingdom because a dastardly swan has just swooped off with the Queen's handbag!
This book is jam-packed with visual humour. It features some of the UK's most celebrated and iconic landmarks. But it also features lots of things that you may not see at first, like the box-holding butler on almost every page.
Part 2 UNITED KINGDOM landmarks!
Part 1 - LONDON landmarks!
Here are just 20 things to look out for in The Queen's Handbag. But there's more!
1. an alien
2. an ice-cream cone
3. Union Jack boxer shorts
4. Mary Berry
5. a spy
6. a selfie
7. Mo Farah
8. a kilt
9. a shamrock
10. a druid
11. Mr Panda
12. Clare Balding (UK sports presenter)
13. two pigeons
14. a mountain goat
15. picnickers
16. the Madhatter's Hat
17. a microlight
18. a teddy bear
19. Susan Boyle
20. The River Thames
Have fun!! And any guesses as to what might be in that box the butler is carrying throughout the book?
Part 3 of this fun series, all about landmarks and spotting details, is already out in several countries, but not in the USA just yet. It takes us on a WORLD tour on Christmas Eve with Santa and thousands of elves!
Part 1, The Queen's Hat blows all over London
Part 2, The Queen's Handbag is taken all across the UK
Part 3, a worldwide hunt for The Queen's Present
MONSTER IN THE HOOD to be my 8th book
My third title with Oxford University Press (and my 8th book altogether) will be MONSTER IN THE HOOD, out summer 2016. HE'S GRUMBLY AND RUMBLY AND FRIGHTENINGLY HUNGRY. BUT ARE THINGS ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM? A MONSTER BOOK WITH A TWIST.
Society of Illustrators - Mr Panda selected!
Each year the Society of Illustrators in NY honors the best picture books. I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that PLEASE MR PANDA was selected!
Draw Betty, on Book Trust's Blog
Get out your crayons, it's time to draw! Check out 'How to Draw Betty' on Book Trust's website HERE.
Q&A with Yasmeen Ismail, hosted by Magpie That and Picture Books Blogger
Who inspired Betty? Where did Mr Panda come from? How did I get published? Should you study illustration? Do I prefer illustrating or writing? And more questions answered in last night's Twitter #PBNatter Q&A with me and Yasmeen Ismail hosted by MagpieThat and PictureBooksBlogger. You can see the Q&A here:
https://storify.com/Mat_at_Broo…/picturebook-natter-09-08-15
Thanks to Mathew Tobin for the storify.com record of the Q&A.
Win Betty Goes Bananas in her Pyjamas via Bookstart
For a chance of winning my latest book, BETTY GOES BANANAS IN HER PYJAMAS, as well as Matty Long's superb picture book, SUPER HAPPY MAGIC FOREST, visit http://www.bookstart.org.uk/books/competitions/65/
Book Trust's Best Book Guide (feat Please Mr Panda)
Book Trust have just released their 2015 Best Book Guide. I am thrilled to see PLEASE MR PANDA in their list. You can download the guide HERE.
Opening Broadwater Primary School's Imagination Garden
On Thursday last week I had the honour of visiting Broadwater Primary School in Tooting to open their Imagination Garden, a volunteer-led project aimed at creating an exciting and inspirational outdoor learning environment designed to fire the imagination and enhance the curriculum. Featuring vegetable growing, a wormery, a ‘mud pie kitchen’ and a mini volcano, the garden is funded in part by a Big Society grant and in part by the Waitrose Community Matters scheme.
But before cutting the ribbon of doughnuts to open the Imagination Garden, I held an event for the school's two Reception classes and two Year 1 classes, and I joined the pupils and teachers for a 'Queen's Hat' parade around the Garden.
Here are some photos of the day, courtesy of photographer, Emerson Wimsey, and Fritha Lindqvist, Head of PR for Hachette Children's Books. Comments accompany each photo to talk you through my memorable day at the school.
It was a real privilege to be part of such a special day. Thanks, all, for inviting me along and for making me feel so welcome!
I read THE QUEEN'S HAT, PLEASE MR PANDA and the yet-to-be-released, THE QUEEN'S HANDBAG: a story about The Queen and an army of officers chasing a rogue handbag-stealing swan all across the UK, which is due for publication by Hodder Children's in October. (Photo by Emerson Wimsey)
The pupils had lots of questions! (Photo by Emerson Wimsey)
I showed them how to draw a Royal Guard. Here I'm showing them the Snowdonia page in THE QUEEN'S HANDBAG. We spotted the two officers taking a sneaky selfie and lots of other fun details. (Photo by Emerson Wimsey)
Pupils showing me their drawings. (Photo by Emerson Wimsey)
The two Reception classes marched around the playground wearing their especially made hats. (Photo by Emerson Wimsey)
Head Teacher, Ms Susan Adams, gives a speech before handing me the scissors to cut the ribbon of doughnuts. (Photo by Emerson Wimsey)
The entrance to the Imagination Garden.
Inside the garden, Bug Ben!
I added finishing touches to this brilliant painting of Big Ben (based on my illustration in THE QUEEN'S HAT) by Kate Filby: a parent volunteer and mum of one of the children in the Reception year. Kate worked very closely with the two Reception teachers, Ms Louise Bretenny's Reception Zebra Class and Ms Katherine Hilliard's Reception Giraffe Class as well as an army of parent volunteers and volunteers from the local community.
Signing books and chatting with parents and pupils. (Photo by Emerson Wimsey)
A colourful doughnut card and a giant doughnut: a thank you gift from the school!
After the event, the school wrote about their day and pinned their fantastic soldier drawings to the wall. Thanks, Fritha, for sending these photos.
Thanks, all, for such wonderful comments!
Bake Mr Panda's Doughnuts, with Tea!
Photo courtesy of www.thirstyfortea.com
Fans of PLEASE MR PANDA (or PLEASE, MR. PANDA if you're in the US) will love this!
What do you get when you pair a passionate picture book blogger with a blogger of all things tea?
Tea Coloured Mr. Panda Doughnuts, of course!
Just check out this photo from www.thirstyfortea.com!
To find out how to bake these enticing tea doughnuts (along with more tea-infused goodness) please visit thirstyfortea.com.
To read the review of PLEASE, MR. PANDA by This Picture Book Life (along with other great picture book articles) please visit thispicturebooklife.com.
Thanks to both bloggers for featuring my book!
Happy doughnut baking!
Visit to Nutshell Studios on Indie Booksellers Week
Sienna's doughnut is better than mine.
Last week was Independent Booksellers Week. Independent Bookshop Week is part of the Books Are My Bag campaign, and seeks to celebrate independent bookshops in the UK and Ireland. Many authors and illustrators took part by visiting independent booksellers.
On Saturday, I visited Nutshell Studios, an independent children's bookshop, which is situated in Barleylands Craft Village in Billericay, Essex. But I wasn't the only visitor. Mr Panda made an appearance too, doughnuts and all! Well, Mr Panda was actually the lovely booksellers at Nutshell Studios, Michelle and Hazel, who took turns wearing the costume. The store itself is full of charm. It doubles up as an art studio, which houses the brilliant artwork of Michelle Williams and Hazel Williams, two sisters who share a passion for children's book illustration and literature.
Below are some photos from my event. If you would like to learn more about Independent Booksellers Week, please visit independentbooksellersweek.org.uk If you'd like to learn more about Nutshell Studios, please visit thebooknut.co.uk. You can view the amazing artwork of Michelle and Hazel here: www.thebooknut.co.uk/illustration-gallery Thank you to Nutshell Studios and Jo Byatt for taking some of these photos.
As I walked in, this is what I saw. Wow! Check out the deflated Mr Panda in the reading corner.
I never tire of doughnuts. But maybe I should write a book about lettuce.
Signage featuring the Independent Booksellers Week hashtags.
Drawing with crayons.
Mr Panda's on the loose! I wonder what that man is thinking, over there.
Mr Panda's beat.
Monet's snazzy doughnut.
From left to right: me, Jo Byatt, Mr Panda (Michelle) and Hazel. Fellow illustrator and friend, Jo Byatt, dropped by with her husband Peter and daughters, Monet and Sienna.
Jo Byatt's daughter, Monet, cheekily pops into the frame with her mum's illustrator debut, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!, written by David Styring and published by Igloo Books.
Books and doughnuts!
Michelle, who is also a teacher, read Mr Panda to me along with one of her pupils.
Me, Mr Panda (Michelle) and Hazel, proudly wearing her Independent Bookshop top.
Drawing Mr Panda.
Showing some people some roughs from the development stages of Please Mr Panda.
Drawing Mr Panda on doughnuts.
More drawing.
Sienna is telling me all about her fantastic picture book characters.
Talking books: The Kate Greenway Special on Down the Rabbit Hole Radio
Katherine Woodfine and Melissa Cox kindly invited me and fellow author-illustrator, Helen Hancocks, to join them in discussing the Kate Greenaway shortlist on Down the Rabbit Hole Radio on Resonance 104.4 FM. You can listen to the show below. It was a fun discussion. If only we had more time!
The Sun's 5 Star Review of Please Mr Panda
The Sun Newspaper has reviewed PLEASE MR PANDA!
Thanks, Zak!
Littleport Primary's Amazing Queen's Hat Drawings and Stories
Check out these amazing drawings and stories (inspired by The Queen's Hat) from Littleport Primary School. I've had a good look at all of the stories and drawings and it looks to me that Littleport have some very talented and creative pupils in their midst! Below each photo is a little comment from me about each piece.
Brilliant! Very eye-catching. The Queen is looking very regal!
Very funny and creative! I love the Harry Potter spin on this!
Thats very kind of you to say, Erin! You're very good with words, too!
I love that this is a diary entry. It's such a great idea and very well written. Love the guard, too!
Thanks, Tilly, for your letter! I'm glad you liked the illustrations. Look out for a lot more characters in The Queen's Handbag!
Cheers, Ben! A fantastic book review! I give your review five out of five!
This is a great peice of writing and I love the little illustrations, too. I especially like that you've drawn the hat right in the middle.
This would've made a great addition to the book! Brilliant!
Excellent! The ending of this made me laugh out loud.
Fantastic! A great choice of colours. I spot the butler!
Another eye-catching drawing. Very iconic!
Is that guard carrying a missile launcher?! I love this drawing. I want to know what happens next!
It looks like you all had a lot of fun! Keep drawing and writing!
The Story Musuem & Oxford Festival of Nature
I was lucky enough to spend a whole day at The Story Museum's 'Illustrator's Zoo', as part of the Oxford Festival of Nature. I drew an A-Z of endangered animals, taught a class how to draw amazing animals, made doughnut art, chatted to lots of budding illustrators, and explored the many magical rooms in the museum.
Here is my day, in 35 Instagram snaps (with captions).
The day started with reading PLEASE MR PANDA and making doughnuts for the museum's 'ABC…Story!' morning session.
'Deconstructed Panda and Constructed Doughnut' by Olympia (age 3?)
Before heading to my studio to draw, I did a bit of light reading. I read ABIGAIL by Catherine Rayner and...
THE ASK AND THE ANSWER by Patrick Ness and...
TIME FOR BED, FRED! by Yasmeen Ismail and...
OLIVER AND PATCH by Claire Freedman and Kate Hindley and...
BEANO comics!
I had a go on The Story Wheel, too.
I chose key number 5, but what's inside the box! The clue was 'chocolate'
Ah, one of my favourite childhood reads! Any guesses?
I entered the rhyming room. On the walls were beautifully painted murals, by...
Helen Cooper...
from her...
award winning picture book...
THE BABY WHO WOULDN'T GO TO BED.
Then there was the lullaby room.
A very sleepy room. Inside were...
napping cats...
giant feathers and a harp.
After my exploration, it was time to settle into my studio for the day. Here, my sketchbook is opened on a page of fish drawings. In the studio, I was surrounded by amazing art by the likes of Mo Willems...
Chris Haughton...
and Clive Goddard.
I drew an A-Z of endangered animals, while visitors popped in to watch and say hello.
I spoke to lots artists of all ages. We spoke about endangered animals, and I gave some tips on how to draw animals. I was given a few tips, too!
This wasn't part of the A-Z. I sketched this just before my 'How to Draw Amazing Animals' class. I taught the class of eager artists how to draw animals (from each animal group) by starting with basic shapes. We started with a stick insect and ended with a salamander. I threw in a dragon at the very end just for fun.
Here I am, just before the class. It's hard to make out, but I'm holding the logo for the Oxford Festival of Nature.
Here's the sign for the class, just outside.
Here I am with Stacey, from the Oxford Festival of Nature.
After the drawing class, I went back to my studio to sign some books. While there, I had several visitors, including fellow twitterer (and book blogger) Child-Led Chaos!
Visitors flicked through the newly published BETTY GOES BANANAS IN HER PYJAMAS and the yet-to-be-published THE QUEEN'S HANDBAG.
Before finishing for the day...
I enjoyed poring over art in the Illustrators exhibition...
and then had a caffeinated beverage in the...
Story Museum's wonderfully topsy-turvy...
...cafe. And just as I was leaving, Lucy Atkins arrived for the launch of her latest book, THE OTHER CHILD. It's all happening in The Story Museum!
Thanks, Tom, Cath and Sarah (from the museum), Stacey (from the Oxford Festival of Nature) and everyone that came to visit. I had an amazing time.
For more information on The Story Museum, go here: http://www.storymuseum.org.uk
For more information on Oxford Festival of Nature, go here: http://www.oxfordfestivalofnature.org
Betty Goes Bananas Contest Entries and Winners
"Cue knowing sighs from parents everywhere..." The Bookseller
Today BETTY GOES BANANAS IN HER PYJAMAS is published, which means it's time to announce the two winners of my 'Draw Betty' contest and post all 39 entries! Each winner will receive a signed copy of BETTY GOES BANANAS IN HER PYJAMAS.
Thank you to Daily Doodle for setting the 'draw Betty' challenge on Twitter. It's been so fun seeing all of the wonderful and wacky Betty drawings on my Twitter feed.
Without further ado, here are the entries, followed by the winners! All of the entries came via Twitter, so I've embedded each twitter post, so that you can easily visit (and follow) each talented entrant.
@MrSteveAntony @RachelClowes - Lovely character - More tribute to your wonderful book pic.twitter.com/PXZodHUvII
— Damien Jones (@Illio_Jones) May 13, 2015@MrSteveAntony @OUPChildrens Here's my awful effort, but BETTY is looking very angelic pic.twitter.com/1AsxWwo6gW
— Glenn Marvell James (@HoltHarlequin56) May 13, 2015My version of @MrSteveAntony 's character Betty by Rachel Clowes age 10 and a bit 🍌🍌🍌 pic.twitter.com/xaalYY7KGP
— Rachel Clowes (@RachelClowes) May 13, 2015Looky here @MrSteveAntony Lucy's finished #Betty pic.twitter.com/3RDVN02nYz
— Sarah Yewman (@sarahyewman) May 13, 2015And here's my Betty @MrSteveAntony ;) Poor Mr Toucan is on the receiving end of this tantrum! pic.twitter.com/8HoXlH7Zdf
— Picturebooks Blogger (@pbooksblogger) May 13, 2015Hey @MrSteveAntony Betty had a go at baking. Maybe she should take lessons from Mr
Panda. pic.twitter.com/7kgnQK2w0P
— Ariane Hofmanniyar (@arihoma) May 15, 2015@MrSteveAntony here's my drawing of Betty, with a wee bit of help from Mr. Panda!
#BettyGoesBananas #PleaseMrPanda pic.twitter.com/My3osVWK35
— Rikin Parekh (@r1k1n) May 15, 2015@MrSteveAntony Monet's chilled out Betty counting bananas! pic.twitter.com/gRjGH2UFfH
— Jo Byatt (@JoanneByatt1) May 15, 2015.@MrSteveAntony just before succumbing to sleep last night, doodled a juggling Betty in my bedside notebook ;0) pic.twitter.com/qNsiwbkaKy
— Colin West (@mooseandmouse) May 16, 2015@MrSteveAntony #BettyGoesBananas Betty has a summer makeover & isn't sure of the results! 😆 By Gemma Aged 36🙊 pic.twitter.com/Kyq3DItsqa
— Gemma M (@gemmalouise2105) May 16, 2015Had loads of fun today making a version of @MrSteveAntony Betty - here's a slightly better image. pic.twitter.com/NRdKzgvFeZ
— Cathy MacLennan (@cathy_maclennan) May 18, 2015A quick Betty doodle for @MrSteveAntony #BettyGoesBananas pic.twitter.com/kBAW3Bvhk8
— Steven Learmonth (@stevencandraw) May 18, 2015A quick drawing of @MrSteveAntony's fabulous character Betty! pic.twitter.com/s1ETM5p6Vp
— Grace Sandford (@GraceSandford) May 19, 2015@Daily__Doodle @MrSteveAntony Betty & Mr Panda discuss doughnuts #Betty pic.twitter.com/nRn3NIzAS9
— John Paterson (@tartanbaffies) May 25, 2015Here's my take on #Betty by @MrSteveAntony for today's (and tomorrow's) @Daily_Doodle pic.twitter.com/HFmYEJbsFJ
— Dark Derek (@DarkDerek) May 25, 2015#Betty @Daily__Doodle Waiting for a delayed flight at airport: did two~ the fun one by SA: pic.twitter.com/myweLW746N
— VL Durand (@VlDurand) May 25, 2015#Betty @Daily__Doodle and my attempt: pic.twitter.com/8h8FHjx5Ap
— VL Durand (@VlDurand) May 25, 2015@MrSteveAntony #Betty pic.twitter.com/j2JhdIctuW
— Josephine Goodchild (@JoanneGotTwited) May 25, 2015@Daily__Doodle @MrSteveAntony my go @ your fab #Betty.
Biro on paper, coloured with @mangastudio 5 @FRENDEN brushes pic.twitter.com/U9wVMrANPW
— Stephen Conroy (@hometimenow) May 25, 2015@Daily__Doodle @MrSteveAntony here's my go at #Betty pic.twitter.com/OT4jFv5zKr
— Deborah Partington (@DebIllustration) May 25, 2015i call this 'still life' by #betty @Daily__Doodle @MrSteveAntony pic.twitter.com/GFGMo9yLjS
— lauripop (@thirtyeggs) May 25, 2015@Daily__Doodle @MrSteveAntony #Betty Betty rides bananas pic.twitter.com/IVFbzzrAxu
— Marianne Lenzing (@marianne6219) May 25, 2015What an awesome creation from an awesome fellah! #Betty @MrSteveAntony #DailyDoodle @DailyDoodle pic.twitter.com/9V1KtBcr4r
— ReadItDaddy (@Readitdaddy) May 25, 2015#Betty for @Daily__Doodle @MrSteveAntony pic.twitter.com/kXycHdJIa7
— Mith (@doodlekaari) May 26, 2015@Daily__Doodle @MrSteveAntony #Betty illustration hope you like pic.twitter.com/mwQxmRO7QZ
— Jonathan Wallace (@JWallaceAnimate) May 26, 2015Here's my #Betty for @Daily__Doodle @MrSteveAntony :D pic.twitter.com/yZBF9AYhZe
— Chloe Douglass (@chloillustrates) May 26, 2015#Betty for @MrSteveAntony @Daily__Doodle by Teddy (age 5) pic.twitter.com/tcqpMPe0Rv
— Fiona Lumbers (@fionalumbers) May 26, 2015Is that a banana split, #Betty ? @Daily__Doodle @MrSteveAntony pic.twitter.com/5AY2WNMbFy
— Eline W. (@El1neW) May 26, 2015My take on #Betty and her bear for @Daily__Doodle and @MrSteveAntony pic.twitter.com/rK9ZAZwT4Y
— Michael McCabe (@justadoodlin) May 26, 2015How to draw #Betty @MrSteveAntony ,misread by Alejandra Tilve #DailyDoodle @DailyDoodle. pic.twitter.com/nZFPHURSht
— Alejandra Tilve (@a_tilve) May 26, 2015#Betty for @Daily__Doodle , @MrSteveAntony pic.twitter.com/zhiIiPWGV8
— Kelly S (@starkelstar) May 26, 2015@Daily__Doodle #Betty @MrSteveAntony hope I haven't missed it, been camping and just seen this so its a super quickie pic.twitter.com/CHPw5fY0HO
— Steve Brown (@SteveSketchesIt) May 26, 2015#Betty @MrSteveAntony #DailyDoodle @DailyDoodle Today's Doodle! Enjoy! pic.twitter.com/Cj11SZH9VI
— Wendy Lucy (@WendyLucy) May 27, 2015More #Betty for @DailyDoodle #DailyDoodle Ook! pic.twitter.com/w5XcTQvth0
— ReadItDaddy (@Readitdaddy) May 26, 2015@MrSteveAntony @Daily_Doodle Here's a trailor-betty. With the image attached pic.twitter.com/xDFDfqaS5z
— Bert Schaafkaas (@Schaafkaasnl) May 27, 2015@Daily__Doodle @MrSteveAntony Couldn't resist having a go! pic.twitter.com/emu2N5JLjI
— Laura Watkins (@laurawatkins1) May 27, 2015Adapting Betty to my own (bananas) style :-) @Daily__Doodle @MrSteveAntony #Betty #doodle pic.twitter.com/cD4LwiUu53
— A Nutty Flavor (@anuttyflavor) May 27, 2015@MrSteveAntony my Entry for the Draw Betty competition -fingers crossed becuase I want that book #shamelessbeg pic.twitter.com/Zl5i8PvwD7
— Charlotte Dyton (@CharlotteDyton) June 1, 2015Grumpy Betty @MrSteveAntony pic.twitter.com/quPT1eMVmJ
— Jim Field (@_JimField) May 13, 2015AND THE TWO WINNERS ARE...
How to draw #Betty @MrSteveAntony ,misread by Alejandra Tilve #DailyDoodle @DailyDoodle. pic.twitter.com/nZFPHURSht
— Alejandra Tilve (@a_tilve) May 26, 2015#Betty for @MrSteveAntony @Daily__Doodle by Teddy (age 5) pic.twitter.com/tcqpMPe0Rv
— Fiona Lumbers (@fionalumbers) May 26, 2015CONGRATULATIONS Alejandra Tilve and Fiona Lumbers!
Alejandra, I love the fun concept of your illustration.
Fiona, Teddy's drawing of Betty is absolutely adorable.
Please send your address details to betty@steveantony.com, and a signed copy of BETTY GOES BANANAS IN HER PYJAMAS will be sent to you!
THANK YOU to everyone that took part! They're all fantastic! I honestly wish I could pick more winners, as I know that a lot of time has gone into these drawings.
Please look out for other contests. Those of you who already follow me on Twitter will know that I hold regular contests there. Also, if you don't already, follow Daily Doodle for daily sketching fun!
Wychwood Festival
The first thing that caught my eye at the Wychwood Festival was PANDA NOODLE HOUSE. "Would you like some noodles?" "Give me the sweet and sour." "No you cannot have any noodles. I have changed my mind."
Is Mr Panda moonlighting as a noodle vendor?
At the festival, I joined several authors and Waterstones booksellers in the book tent, where authors held events throughout the day.
Here are a few photos from the festival. All in all, a great time!
Here, I'm with the über-talented Petr Horáček.
Philip Ardagh kindly gave me this THE GRUNTS badge.
Signing books in the tent.
While at the festival, Philip Ardagh showed me this wonderful photo of him with Book Doctor (and children's book enthusiast) Kim Harte and PLEASE MR PANDA, taken at Children's Books Ireland for Writer's Week. Thanks, Philip, for sharing this photo.
The atmosphere was electric.
The weather was perfect.
The people were chilling.
And there were bubbles, too.
Hay Festival 2015
Speaking on BBC Wales. Photo courtesy of Richard Shakespeare
Click to enlarge
On Wednesday, I held the first of two events at the Hay Festival: PANDAS, DOUGHNUTS, AND THE QUEEN’S HANDBAG.
During the event, I read PLEASE MR PANDA, and the audience were just as perplexed as Penguin when Mr Panda suddenly retracted his offer of doughnuts. But a few pages in it soon became a apparent to some children (and adults) that there was a method to Panda's madness.
After reading PLEASE MR PANDA, we chased a rogue swan all over the UK with a bevy of bobbies in THE QUEEN'S HANDBAG. This was my very first reading of the book (the sequel to THE QUEEN'S HAT, to be published by Hodder Children's in October) at a festival.
On Wednesday evening, I joined Eddie Butler, Moira Young, Tiffany Murray and Hannah Grace in the BBC TENT for The Arts Show, presented by Nicola Heywood Thomas. Eddie Butler, the BBC's voice of international rugby, spoke of his new novel, The Head of Gonzo Davies. Moira Young explained how one of the novels in her Dust Lands trilogy is to be made into a film by Ridley Scott. Tiffany Murray gave us a glimpse into her life through her novels, and I spoke a little about how being colour-blind has influenced my work. Live music came from Horizons artist, Hannah Grace, with her own composition, Broke. You can hear the radio show by following this link: http://iono.fm/e/176614.
In the BBC TENT. Photo courtesy of filmryan.com
Thank you, Aby King, for taking this photo.
My second day at Hay was all about BETTY GOES BANANAS. We all screamed, kicked, cried and sniffled our way through Betty's first book, and then we beeped, honked, and barped our way through Betty's second book: BETTY GOES BANANAS IN HER PYJAMAS (which is out in a matter of days).
Some personal highlights of the festival came from chance encounters with friends and familiar faces in the green room.
Thank you, Hay. And thank you to my wonderful publicists, Caitlin and Hattie, and Hay's Matt for keeping me hydrated during the book signings.
Hay!
Mr. Panda Drawings from Evergreen Children's Center, Ohio
Mr. Tim (or should I say, Mr. Panda)
Mr. Tim, superstar librarian and storyteller, sent me these brilliant drawings from one of his story time sessions with Mrs. Kinney's class of 4 year olds at the Beavercreek Community Library in Ohio. These drawings are 'thank yous' to Mr. Tim and feature their favorite book or their favorite moment from a book. The three drawings below feature moments from my doughnut/manners themed book, 'Please, Mr. Panda'. The teacher, Mrs. Kinney, added the writing for each young, budding artist.
Thanks, Tim, for emailing me these wonderful drawings! I think they're fantastic!
