Kathleen Hale I

Above: Illustrations from 'Orlando The Marmalade Cat, The Camping Holiday'

Kathleen Hale lived to be an amazing 101 years old ! (1898-2000). You can hear her talking here on Desert island Discs in 1996. 

Kathleen lost her father aged only five and her mother supported her family by taking on her former husbands job as a piano sales person. Kathleen, her older sister and brother went to live with relatives, she was encouraged in art at high school and achieved a scholarship to study art at the University of Reading.

'Orlando the Marmalade Cat', and his adventures – were first told to her sons as bedtime stories. The artwork and its reproduction for these stories set a new standard for children’s illustrated books, "A Camping Holiday" and "A Trip Abroad", were accepted for publication in 1938 by Noel Carrington. 

Before publication Kathleen took rudimentary instruction for lithography from 'Cowells printers of Ipswich' and developed the lithographed illustrations herself. 

I have included two biographical plates as I miss these from modern children's books, and it is wonderful to see Kathleen with the original Orlando. 

Below:  Illustrations from 'Orlando The Marmalade Cat, A Trip Abroad'.

Parvin Heydarizadeh I

Parvin Heydarizadeh's wonderful illustration of a bot enjoying a murmuration. Parvin creates wonderful illustrations of the world and its creatures big and small. 

Machiko Kaede

Machiko Kaede's happy chickens made me very happy yesterday, enjoy your Sunday.

Tomoko Aso II

 

Some more wonderful birds-eye views created by Japanese illustrator Tomoko Aso.

Joaquin Camp I

A runaway tiger up to all sorts on no good, by Joaquin Camp.

Maddie Frost II

These pigs made my heart leap, they are by American illustrator Maddie Frost 

Megumi Inoue

The soothing power of green in the portfolio of Megumi Inoue むうめぐ(井上めぐみ).

Magdalena Koziel-Nowak I

 Love, love, love these dynamic illustrations for Dr. Dolittle by Magdalena Koziel-Nowak.

Cécile Berrubé I

Minature, characterful illustrations by Cécile Berrubé a French illustrator based in Scotland. 

Sam Boughton I

Sam Boughton's tiny sketches of dogs, soft and questioning, and lovely.

Ekaterina Khlebnikova I

Beautiful mixed media illustrations by Ekaterina Khlebnikova. for 'If you listen to... ' written by Anna Scherbina. In the city, Petya has to run to keep up with his parents and so he is glad when his grandmother comes and the pace of life slows down so he can appreciate all the small joys in life and, if you walk slowly enough, you can hear the stones on the beach tell stories.

Yeji Yun III

Yeji Yun has made a lovely cat zine based on the exploits of her cat Mamoo

Marianne Richter I

'Spitz the wandering dog' published in1966, written and illustrated by Marianne Richter (1916-2010). Marianne was an illustrator and designer who is remembered primarily for her textile designs, this book has wonderfully observed town and city scenes and beautiful studies of people.