Lilya Niauri (Лиля Ниаури)

A beautiful little book about some naughty pirate mice whose ingenious house converts into a steam engine when they are out on their foray's to steal grain from the mill cat. The illustrations have been made using a combination of print, watercolour and pencil by Moscow based illustrator (Лиля Ниаури) Lilya Niauri.

The mice accidentally leave their telescope in the grain store as they are stealing the grain, on their flight from the scene of the crime the telescope is lost. Fortunately, the mill cat finds the telescope and when she looks through it she sees the mice in trouble in the storm and manages to rescue them, warm them up and feed them delicious buns. The regretful mice, then vow to never be bad pirate mice again. 

Monika Vaicenavičienė

Lithuanian illustrator Monika Vaicenavičienė's subtle and beautiful book; 'What is a River', will be released in the UK by Enchanted Lion in October. It is Monika's debut book which has been created using watercolour, coloured pencils, gouache and digital. 

The book follows the flow of the river, with the words of a grandmother telling the river's story. 

Eva Lindström.

 

The clever story of a lamb who leaves her flock and finds a new home but is troubled with doubts about her move, belonging and cultural differences, a great metaphorical story of resettling in a new country. 

Harriet Raab

 

A small selection of art by Swedish artist Harriet Raab.

Katia Shumkova XI

This first illustration actually made me wince. 'Аня сердится' (Anya is Angry). by Katia Shumkova is refreshingly about an angry, spirited, naughty little girl. Anya is trouble and finds it hard to make friends, until one day she is given a drum and her love for this instrument makes her happy and accepted. 

Dunja Jogan III

 

I received the wonderful 'Felix After the Rain' by Dunja Jogan, published by Tiny Owl. I am so happy to have my own copy. It is a book about grief, worry, and sadness. Felix carries his heavy suitcase of burdens with him always, then one day someone helps him to open the heavy suitcase and release a storm of emotion. The book has a fabulous transition from gloomy, dark spreads to fabulous light, joyful ones when Felix is able to start enjoying life again, and all of the illustrations have a wonderful flowing line.

Last

Today the postman bought me a treat that I would like to share. It is a new book by the wonderful children's author Nicola Davis called, 'Last'. This is her first author illustrated book with the innovative, award-winning; Tiny Owl Publishing. It is a poignant true story about endangered species and its illustrations a mixture of watercolour and layered text are incredible.

" When I was illustrating this book the words I used on the buildings and animals came from various sources. these were random snippets of advertising slogans, and short phrases from famous environmental speeches made by Martin Luther King, Chief Seattle and Paul Hawken. My aim was to contrast the bleakness of advertising with inspirational words . . ." Nicola Davis 

Zafouko Yamamoto II

I had to include a hola hooping dog on my blog, what joy! By Greek illustrator and architect Zafouko Yamamoto.

Zafouko Yamamoto I

Zafouko Yamamoto's illustrations on the theme of camping. 

Charlotte Ager IV

Today some delightfully delicate backyard musings from London based Charlotte Ager.

Marc Majewski I

A parable of our times illustrated perfectly by Berlin-based French illustrator Marc Majewski.