All the work is original: I never use a computer for my illustrations. I create the animals separately (also in collage) before adding them to the scene, using coloured crayons for the final touches. To make my images, I tear the paper into the required shapes and then stick the pieces together in overlapping layers until I achieve the desired effect. I work exclusively in collage and – over the years – have assembled a huge collection of largely handmade paper. My artistic technique is quite different from most illustrators. I also began gathering the various types of paper I’d need before getting started on this new project. I looked for some atmospheric photos of winter scenes, of animals, and their tracks. My publishing team were enthusiastic when I mentioned the idea: they asked me to produce a few sample pictures which they could show at the Bologna Book Fair for children’s books. Do the tracks reveal clues about the animal that left them? Is that animal still hiding somewhere in the forest? The book is also a bit of a detective mission which revolves around identifying the different types of tracks. It would enable adults and children alike – without leaving the comfort of their armchair – feel like they’re going for a winter walk in the woods together. There are some big surprises…įor my new project, I wanted to create a book along similar lines, but this time with the addition of a treasure hunt. I had previously written and illustrated a book called “Who is in the Egg”: it shows a variety of different eggs, and children have to guess the creature that might be in each one. That is why I liked the idea of creating a book that was also a game – a guessing-game – which would give children the chance to find out more about the natural world. Even more so, with books that encourage interaction between adults and children. Reading a book with children can create the opportunity for precious bonding moments. Would I be able to reproduce the texture of snow? To convey the feeling of wonder that one gets when stepping out into a world covered by a white blanket? For many years I’ve wanted to illustrate a book which had snow as its central feature. There are so many beautiful things in the natural world and snow is one of the most beautiful of all. Whose Tracks in the Snow? is an informative and special picture book by the author/illustrator of Who Is in the Egg? It features hares, ducks, foxes, deer, and more. I will leave a comment in reply if you win the book. Thanks!Ī great natural-history picture book that introduces children to animal tracks. If you want to make sure you don’t miss seeing that you won, please click “Notify Me of Follow-Up Comments by Email” box. If you have signed up to follow my blog and it is delivered to you everyday, please let me know when you leave a comment and I will give you an extra ticket. Sharing on Facebook, Twitter or reblogging really helps spread the word for a new book. Let me know other things you did to share the good news, so I can put the right amount of tickets in my basket for you. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. They have agreed to send a copy to the one lucky winner in the US and UK. Alexandra Milton has written and illustrated a new picture book, WHOSE TRACKS IN THE SNOW? and published by Boxer Books and coming out on November 22nd.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |