Find out what Anthony Browne has been doing in his role as Children's Laureate
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Inside the studio...
Posted Thursday February 25th 2010
by Katherine WoodfineTake a peep inside Anthony's studio and see where he creates his magical picture books!
All photographs © Mark Mackenzie
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Willy and Hugh: the musical!
Posted Wednesday February 17th 2010
by Katherine WoodfineTake a look at these great pictures from a very special Story Tree concert for schools at Wigmore Hall in January.
Anthony joined musicians from the Aurora Orchestra for a magical feast of storys and music from around the world, narrating his story Willy and Hugh alongside music composed by the Wigmore Hall’s Composer in Residence, Luke Bedford.All photos © Benjamin Harte
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Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2010
Posted Friday February 12th 2010
by Katherine WoodfineThis week, Anthony Browne presented the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2010 at a special event at Waterstone's Piccadilly.
The winner, chosen from a shortlist of nine, was Katie Davies for her book The Great Hamster Massacre, which Anthony described as "a funny and touching story told very convincingly and honestly from the point of view of a young girl". Anthony also praised the "superb illustrations" by Hannah Shaw.
To find out more about the event and the winning book, visit the Booktrust blog.
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All aboard the Storybus!
Posted Wednesday February 10th 2010
by Katherine WoodfineLast week, Anthony visited The Wroxham School in Potters Bar to find out more about the school’s outstanding creative learning practice.As a Creative Partnerships School of Creativity, The Wroxham School works with the government’s creative learning programme to further develop teaching and learning practices, form innovative partnerships with other schools, and to help shape further education policy and practice.
Anthony spent a busy day at the school meeting children and finding out about the work they had been doing in preparation from his visit, ranging from reading and reviewing his books, through to writing and illustrating their own.
An important part of the day was visiting the school ‘Storybus’ – a double-decker bus bought from eBay for £2,800, which the school plan to transform in the coming months with help from pupils, staff and parents. The idea for the Storybus, which was developed with input from the children themselves, came out of a wish to extend and improve the school’s existing library facilities, and to make an exciting and engaging learning space to encourage reading.
Alison Peacock, Headteacher, commented: “We want to…
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Love a Picture Book
Posted Tuesday February 9th 2010
by Katherine Woodfine"Picture books are for everybody at any age, not books to be left behind as we get older," says Anthony. "The best ones leave a tantalising gap between the pictures and the words, a gap that is filled by the reader's imagination, adding so much to the excitement of reading a book."
Booktrust's new Love a Picture Book leaflet, supported by Anthony, aims to inspire parents and carers to share picture books with children. The leaflet includes a manifesto written by author Joyce Dunbar which celebrates the power of picture books, and is illustrated by Katie Cleminson.
Find out more or download a copy of the leaflet on the Booktrust Children's Book Website.
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Win a copy of Little Beauty, courtesy of Booktime
Posted Monday February 8th 2010
by Katherine WoodfineBooktime is a national programme that encourages children, parents and carers to read together for pleasure by giving a free book pack to children starting primary school. As Anthony says "reading picture books with your child is one of the most important and enjoyable ways of spending time together...a valuable experience for both parent and child."
The Booktime website is a brilliant place to find information about sharing books for teachers, for librarians, and for families. Each month, the site also features a recommended book for storytime that is perfect for parents and children to share.
For February, Booktime have chosen Anthony Browne's Little Beauty as their book of the month:
When a very special gorilla learns to use sign language, he is able to ask his keepers for anything he needs but what he wants most of all is a friend. A stunning picture book which is both touching and surprising and shows Anthony Browne's characteristic balance between gentle humour and meaningful message, which in this case is the value of friendship and loyalty.
Find out more, including how to contribute your own book review of Little Beauty on the Booktime website.
You can also win…
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How Do You Feel?
Posted Wednesday February 3rd 2010
by Anthony BrowneAs well as all the events and projects I'm involved with as Children's Laureate, I always keep time aside each month to spend in my studio, working on a new picture book.
In my last post, I promised I would share some of my work in progress from the book I'm working on at the moment, and here it is!
In these illustrations, I’m revisiting a character I first used back in 1988 in two books – I Like Books and Things I Like.
This time, the title will be How Do You Feel? and the book will be themed around feelings. Here, I’m exploring how the character experiences different emotions:
It's light, simple and fun - just the thing for me at this time!
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Inspiring picture books
Posted Monday February 1st 2010
by Katherine WoodfineTake a look at the first of a series of articles Anthony will be writing for the children’s book magazine, Books for Keeps.
Following on from Michael Rosen, who shared his Laureate Log in its pages, during his Laureateship Anthony will be writing regular articles in the magazine, exploring different aspects of the creation of a picture book.
In his first article, he reflects on sources of inspiration, exploring how the work of fine artists, including the paintings of surrealist Marx Ernst, has influenced his picture book illustrations:
“Everything comes from something else; nothing comes from nothing,” writes Anthony. “In the world of picture books as in all other arts the creator is inspired by other creations. Whenever we make a drawing, write a story or a piece of music we are influenced, whether consciously or not, by works we have seen, read or heard. When I’m questioned by children they always ask, ‘Where do you get your ideas from?’ I always reply, ‘The same place you get yours – things that have happened to me, particularly when I was a child, stories I’ve read or heard, films I’ve…
