Working on new character development sketches...

Highfield Community Primary School!

Last week I paid a visit to the bookclub at Highfield Community Primary School in Rowlands Gill. It has an AMAZING library - on a double decker bus! 

Gosforth Park First School!

Yesterday I paid a visit to the reception classes at Gosforth Park First School. Their lovely teacher, Mrs Renwick, emailed to say that they had been looking at 'The Wonder' and to ask if I'd pop in to see their displays and role play areas. Well, of course I was delighted! They had made an AMAZING mural based on an illustration from the book, and each student had contributed... 

So much work had gone into making it (I got slightly teary). There were also fantastic role play areas based on the art room and science class scenes... 

And leading on from this the children had started learning about Picasso and Matisse - even though they're only 5! Mrs Renwick also had very interesting things to say about how looking at illustrations in a detailed way builds comprehension skills, helping children make inferences from text later on. 

Our mural at the Late Shows

In Newcastle, we have a fantastic event in May called The Late Shows. There's a vibrant art scene here anyway, but for one weekend it becomes even more special - all the galleries, museums and arts venues stay open late with lots of entertainment and activities (think live music, impromptu theater and screenprinting). As you can imagine, I was thrilled when The Biscuit Factory gallery asked me to be involved with their event for the Late Shows. They've just found a lot of old ephemera relating to their biscuit-making heritage (as the name suggests, it used to be a biscuit factory) and we decided to make a collective mural on this biscuit-making theme. We asked people to design a mixed-media sweet treat - which was then added to the mural. Very excitingly a winner will be chosen, which will actually be created by their chefs in-house and put on their sumptuous afternoon tea menu (which I illustrated for them last year).  

First, we painted a background for the mural...

Then the real work began...

Everyone was so lovely and enthusiastic...

And here's the finished mural in all its multicoloured glory! 

Spotted at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge! 

I'm absolutely delighted to say that The Wonder has been shortlisted for the Portsmouth Picture Book Award! It's an absolutely fantastic shortlist (the great Johnny Duddle is on it!) and I'm quite dizzy with elation. Hurray for the dedicated, passionate librarians who promote the award and encourage children with their infectious enthusiasm for books. (I've been lucky enough to meet quite a few of these inspirational types recently - they're worth their weight in gold!) 

Have a virtual flick through 'The Wonder' artwork (minus text)...