Find out what Anthony Browne has been doing in his role as Children's Laureate
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Anthony's Dino Drawing
Posted Thursday January 28th 2010
by Katherine WoodfineTake a look at this lovely new dinosaur illustration by Anthony Browne, for BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:
Until now the colours used by artists and illustrators like Anthony to bring dinosaurs to life has been based on guesswork. All that has changed now that scientists from Bristol University have discovered that fossil remains can be used to find out about more about the colouring of dinosaurs like the Sinosauropteryx – a small meat-eating dinosaur from 125 million years ago that we now know was a bright orange with distinctive white rings on its tail.
However, as Anthony pointed out on this morning’s Today programme – and as his version of the Sinosauropteryx shows – however much we may learn about what dinosaurs were really like in the past, children’s writers and illustrators will probably always prefer to add a sprinkle of imagination!
Read more about the Sinosauropteryx and Anthony's illustration on the BBC website here.
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The Bear with the Magic Pencil
Posted Wednesday January 20th 2010
by Katherine WoodfineAnthony has teamed up with The Sun newspaper for an exciting new competition which will give children the chance to write their own picture book!
Anthony has started the story of a bear with a magic pencil, with the illustration above, and children aged eight and under are invited to join in and complete the story.
Working with The Sun team, Anthony will be selecting the best ideas that are submitted, and using them to create the rest of the story: children whose ideas are selected will also win £100 of Waterstone’s vouchers.Here’s what Anthony had to say about this challenge:
"THERE was once a bear with a magic pencil. Wherever Bear goes he takes his magic pencil with him. If ever he has a problem he just draws his way out of trouble - whatever he draws becomes real . . .Often when I go into schools to talk to children I encourage them to make up a new Bear story with me on a flip-chart.
They are brilliant at it.
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Anthony visits Stockport
Posted Monday January 18th 2010
by Katherine WoodfineBack in October, Anthony visited Stockport for some events promoting reading and illustration, organised by Stockport Art Gallery and Stockport's School Library Service.
As part of his visit, Anthony went along to a very special Lads and Dads event at Stockport Art Gallery, where he shared some stories with the group, and got everyone involved in drawing, including playing the shape game.
“We’re still reeling from Anthony’s wonderful stories,” said Jo Ward, Principal Arts Officer for Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. “There was an amazing sense of total captivation by both the children and their parents.”
During his visit to Stockport, Anthony also took part in a development day for staff working across a range of Early Years settings in the area, including nurseries, clinics, libraries and children's centres. The event, organised by Stockport Library Service, was entitled 'Every Picture Tells a Story' and provided an opportunity to explore the value of picture books, as well as ways to encourage children to enjoy reading from the earliest age.
“Anthony has given me a new perspective on books and imagination,” said one delegate, whilst another commented: “Now I remember how much I used to enjoy reading!”
Take a look at…
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Watch an interview with Anthony
Posted Thursday January 7th 2010
by Katherine WoodfineTake a look at this brand new video interview with Anthony by the London Book Fair as part of their Podcast series.
In conversation with Liz Thompson, Anthony discusses everything from his artistic influences through to his messages as Children's Laureate - and most especially, his passionate belief in the importance of drawing, and his wish to encourage children and adults alike to recognise the importance of picture books.
Watch the video online at the London Book Fair website.
