A friend of mine sent me this video today, it’s so wonderful! Santa’s Greatest Secret was written (and narrated here) by Lyndon Jeremiah with illustrations created by Jennie Harmer.
We may be floating around in Crimbo Limbo right now, but please keep the book in mind as a present for the younger kids next Christmas.
Pat Hutchins (1942-2017) was a children’s author and illustrator – I’d wager that almost every British child from the 70s onwards has had at least one of her books read to them.
Hutchins was originally from near Richmond in North Yorkshire. In 1958, she gained a scholarship to attend Darlington School of Art. She then went on to study for a National Diploma in Illustration at Leeds College of Art. On leaving college, she moved down to London in search of work, becoming an assistant art director at an advertising agency in 1963.
It was here that she met her husband and with whom she emigrated to New York in 1966 when he was given a work posting.
While still in the USA, her first book was published; Rosie’s Walk in 1968. It has since been translated into 10 languages and is still in print today.
She said that her favourite book that she wrote was Titch. It was based on the younger of her two sons, Morgan.
She won the 1974 Kate Greenaway Medal from the Library Association, recognising the year’s best children’s book illustration by a British subject. The work was The Wind Blew, a picture book accompanied by words in verse.
In all, she has authored and illustrated around 50 children’s titles. She collaborated with her husband on 5 older children’s books including The Mona Lisa Mystery, where she composed the words and he created the accompanying illustrations.
In 1995 and 1996, she began presenting the famous British children’s television series, Rosie and Jim. She did the programme for 2 series.
Have a watch of Pat talking about her books below:
Additional image credits:
Penguin | Simon and Schuster | The Times
As promised, we’ve arrived in Germany for the next leg of our tour in the World Doll Series of books.
Really charming illustrations once more – this time the work of W. Lewis from the Birmingham School of Design.
Our German guides are Gretel & Gunther who spend a lot of time singing & dancing when they’re not shepherding us lot around.
We’re taken on a trip through a land of contrasts.
Vibrant cities & the industrial powerhouses…
…to the beautiful countryside with forests, mountains, lakes & rivers.
From bustling shipyards on the coast to serene fairy tale castles in the hills.
Hot & sunny in the summer for cycling, swimming and open air cafés, cold & snowy in the winter for skiing, skating and cosy log fires. Perfect!!
And the Germans are very good at doing Christmas too. You’re going to have a job dragging us away!! But onwards we must go – Italy next. So it’s Auf Wiedersihen from the good folk of Germany.
Bonjour! We’ve hopped across the channel to France in our World Dolls Series tour.
Illustrations for this edition are by Janet Meeson from the Birmingham School of Design.
Are guides for this trip are Marie & Pierre – resplendent in their traditional costumes.
A bit of gentle sun on our faces – we’re all relaxed and mellow – so the large shillelagh stick to keep order on the coach that Patrick had in Ireland has been dispensed with!
Marie & Pierre have joined us from their toy shop window in Paris.
All the classic Parisienne sights. Wide, tree-lined avenues…
…colourful cafés, classic architecture, beautiful bridges, the River Seine….
…and of course – the Eiffel Tower.
We then head into the idyllic countryside to take a look at the vineyards & orchards.
Then onto the coast for a spot of sunbathing – where we can all get very brown!
And finally we take in a festival – the Blessing of the Boats.
We just love the illustration below.
Join us next time when we’re arriving in Germany.
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