16 Jul 2009 6 Comments
in books
My post on my subconscious book-choosing rules has spawned a child. Since most of us seem to have strong preference when it comes to genres, it makes sense for publishers to develop clear genre styles.
I remember reading a post about Gothic romances that feature a woman, in a night dress outside a house with a light in one window.
So what other genre cover clichés are there? I’m starting with the easy ones: More
15 Jul 2009 Leave a comment
in books
Title: Pirates Galore (also titled “The Giant Rat of Sumatra”)
Author: Sid Fleischman
Series : A stand alone book, but it is related to “By the Great Horn Spoon” and “Bandit’s Moon”
Illustration: Jim Hendrix
Rating:
In Short: Captain Gallows of the Giant Rat of Sumatra rescues a cabin boy from drowning. He takes a liking to “Shipwreck”, and invites him to join him at his new ranchero in Mexico. Should Shipwreck stay with his new friends, or try to make his way home to Boston, where he is not even sure if his mother misses him? More
13 Jul 2009 6 Comments
in Inspiration
I’ve been tagged by Pilarcat 🙂 from http://pilarcat.blogspot.com/
I’ve not played this game before
Here are the rules:
-answer the questions
-replace a question that you don`t like, with one by your choice
-add one more question
-tag 8 people to continue the game of tagging 🙂
Not sure if I am going to tag anyone myself – but here goes with the questions:
What is the thing that makes you happy? More
13 Jul 2009 8 Comments
in Inspiration
I’ve been making a list of my “book prejudices”. You know, those things that sub-consciously put you off when browsing in the library or book shop. Now I’m not talking about avoiding specific genre’s, but about those barely examined opinions that inform my choice.
I find the following judgements floating about in my sub-conscious mind:
11 Jul 2009 1 Comment
in Inspiration
Another book published in the year of my birth – 1972. I think Pat Hutchins goes very nicely with Ellen Raskin – a bit quieter, but lovely too.
The drawings remind me of those patterned red enamel pots one used to get in the 70’s. The print style is similar to that in the Ellen Raskin book with areas of flat colour overprinted, but here the darkest colour is a deep blue-green: More
10 Jul 2009 2 Comments
in Colour, Illustration Tags: children's books, children's illustration
I found this lovely bright little book by writer / illustrator Ellen Raskin. It was published in 1972:
I’m fascinated by the illustration style which seems to be planned for the way the book was printed. I love the way the colours are separated and overprinted to create other shades, and how the black line ties everything together: More
09 Jul 2009 Leave a comment
Title: Across the Wall
Author: Garth Nix
Series : No, this is a stand alone book
Rating:
In Short: A collection of short stories from different parts of his career. Garth Nix wrote an introduction to each story.
What I thought: More
08 Jul 2009 Leave a comment
in Myself Tags: abandoned places
Some way up the mountain in Newlands Forest there is an abandoned mill.
A couple of years ago, a tree fell on it in a storm, and since then many storms have torn at it: More
07 Jul 2009 5 Comments
in books, fantasy Tags: children's books
Title: The Tale of Despereaux
Author: Kate di Camillo
Series : No, this is a stand alone book
Rating:
In Short: This is the story of Chiaroscuro the rat who longs for light, Midge the deaf servant girl who desperately wants to be a princess, and Despereaux the tiny mouse who believes in fairy tales, honour and happy endings. All of them are drawn, by love or hate to royal daughter, Princess Pea.
What I thought:
The Tale of Despereaux is much darker than I expected. More
06 Jul 2009 6 Comments
in Colour, Illustration, Inspiration Tags: children's books, children's illustration, Helen Ward
I’ve found another writer / illustrator: Helen Ward. I have quite a few of her books already, but they are all illustrated by Wayne Anderson so I never twigged. I found Wonderful Life at a book sale and promptly bought two copies.
It is the story of a little creature, an Ift called Snutt. Snutt is an explorer and a dreamer who travels through space finding life all over the universe: More
04 Jul 2009 3 Comments
in Inspiration
I’ve found yet another book sale, and have thrown caution to the winds:
I’m supposed to be working on a research project (and I am, I am) but have to take a break every now and then…
03 Jul 2009 2 Comments
in Inspiration
I’ve been neglecting this blog somewhat. I have been working on some other projects. But I’ve just returned from a book sale, and will soon be writing some more book reviews… 🙂
22 Jun 2009 3 Comments
Last night, Brendon and I found a dead cat. It was lying stretched out in the middle of the road next to the railway line. Brendon said that we should move it to the pavement. He wanted to stop it getting broken by cars. Maybe its owners would be more likely to find it there.
Brendon took hold of its back paws. I was a coward about it and had to be urged to pick up the front paws. They were soft and as warm as those of a live cat. We picked her up and her head flopped back with a sort of delicious abandon. Her body was completely relaxed.
We put her down on the pavement. Her eyes were wide open, beautiful translucent green globes.
Today she is still lying there. Her fur is wet with rain, and she looks like a piece of toilet paper that had been wadded, chewed and spat out. Her eyes had partly closed and are dull. There is a rose coloured dew of blood on her chin and face.
21 Jun 2009 2 Comments
in Inspiration
Title: The Secret Ministry of Frost
Author: Nick Lake
Series : No, this is a stand alone book
Rating:
In Short: Light is in terrible danger. Her father, an Arctic explorer is missing, presumed dead. She is being stalked by strange creatures straight out of Inuit legend. Butler, her friend and protector, is hiding something from her. She sets off on a journey to the Arctic, to discover the truth about her father and her own past.
What I thought: More
13 Jun 2009 1 Comment
in All my drawings, Inspiration Tags: drawing
Sometimes its a bit disconcerting to see where my inspiration comes from.
For example, this drawing of mine: More
Masha du Toit 
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