Moving on with the mouse

In my last blog I mentioned that I’m working on another board book. This one will also have holes and shaped pages….I just can’t help myself.

There will be a wind blowing, leaves flying,..

snow falling and some surprise at the end of the book. Quite a lot will happen in a book with six double spreads.

I also did a bit of traveling by train. I can’t draw on the train, so I went through my sketches, trying to write new ideas for picture books. Funnily enough I have quite a few of them.  I don’t know where to start. I’m skipping from one idea to another and I’m not doing anything properly. One of the books I would like to do is a book about a goat. The story is finished, but I have to leave it on the side for the time being.  It’s too early to decide if it is any good or not.

I looked at my computer trying to find a picture of a goat I did few years ago. I found it.

I did this picture for friends. I still like the picture, but I would like to do the goat slightly differently these days. I’d better start sketching.

On Saturday I went to Streatham in London. Hitherfield Primary School was celebrating the completion of their expansion building programme. They have spent lots and lots of time and money making the school very pretty and modern.  The day was great fun even though complete mayhem with children running, magicians doing magic, faces were painted and cakes were served. I did workshops, signed books, talked to children and adults and did a talk about my books at the end of the day.

The day was rather different from my usual school visits, but I liked that. Mainly because everybody was so happy and relaxed. The Head with the parents and children did a great job. It was really nice to see parents and children being so closely involved in such a big project. The Head Mr. Chris Ashley – Jones seems to be rather popular and therefore a happy man. Here he is with children and I’m there as well. I’m kneeling of course, otherwise I’m much much taller.