And now the roaring twenties are with us. I hardly roared into them – the holidays were delightfully quiet. I saw next to no one and spent much time walking and running (not something I’ve done in a long time) and writing. And reading!
I was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy of Children’s Picture Books: The Art of Visual Storytelling (second edition). It’s published by Laurence King and came out a couple of days ago. It’s a joy and I’d say pretty much essential reading for anyone with an interest in reading or writing or illustrating picture books. You can tell it’s been made with love and with care and there is so much in it – I particularly loved the history and background to the medium it gives, but there’s things on there on the process of making a picture book and getting one published. I loved it. This, from the publisher…
‘Children’s Picturebooks Second Edition is a revised edition of a bestselling title that carries invaluable insight into a highly productive, dynamic sector of the publishing world. Featuring interviews with leading illustrators and publishers from across the world, it remains essential reading for students and aspiring children’s book illustrators and writers.
Children’s picturebooks are the very first book we encounter and play a major role in introducing us to both art and language. But what does it take to create a successful picturebook for children?
Aimed at arts and literature students as well as aspiring children’s book illustrators and writers. This book covers everything from the change in children’s picturebooks over time to a breakdown of the children’s publishing industry including, the editorial process, approaching publishers and literary agents and the printing process.
With 15 new case studies from well-known illustrators like Jon Klassen, Oliver Jeffers and Beatrice Alemagna and publishers such as Puffin Picture Books, Thames and Hudson and Enchanted Lion Books, this revised edition also includes a brand new chapter devoted to non-fiction, especially the rise of both narrative non-fiction and big books.’
Koren Shadmi’s The Twilight Man was about the perfect book to start the year with. It’s a graphic novel biography of the genius of Twilight Zone creator, Rod Serling – a writer and human I hold in high enough regard to have his picture hanging in my front room. It’s another book put together with a lot of love and care and, as well as giving insights into the man behind the show, it’s a terrifically interesting look at the birth of the TV serial – we’re going back to the days when TV drama were pretty much (tele)plays, filmed. Lots of nods to episodes in there and a hint at where they came from, as well as the struggles and stresses of maintaining good quality creative output and relationships while under pressure. Delightful.