The Bolds written by Julian Clary and illustrated by David Roberts

To say I was excited when this landed on my doorstep would be a vast understatement.

A new book with artwork from David Roberts is always a highlight of the year for me and I can never wait to get my hands on it and pore through it's pages. To be able to vary his style, with it still being recognisable as his work, is incredible - take Iggy Peck, Architect and Tinder for example. I particularly love his picture books including his own character Dirty Bertie, his work with Andrea Beaty, Peter Bently and his sister Lynn Roberts. He's also illustrated covers for iconic children's books; The St Clare's series by Enid Blyton, 101 Dalmations by Dodie Smith and The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper.

David has also illustrated children's fiction for many wondrous writers, Sally Gardner, Kenneth Grahame and Philip Ardargh to name a few. But not for Julian Clary before...


INTRODUCING...

Julian Clary's first book for children... And a bloomin' good one it is too...

THE BOLDS

Meet Mr and Mrs Bold, and their twins Bobby and Betty in this utterly hilarious novel for children aged eight and up.

And so we begin...

After witnessing the death of two humans who were on their honeymoon in Africa (they were taking a nuddy dip in a pond and unfortunately got snapped up by some rather hungry crocodiles). A somewhat quick conversation arose about moving to England, including pointing out the highly commendable fact that 'the humans there love queuing', Sue and Spot the hyenas find themselves assuming the identity of Fred and Amelia Bold. Snatching The Bold's passports, tucking in their tails and donning Amelia and Fred's outfits, they make their way back to The Bold's humble abode in Teddington to start a new life as well-bred humans. Julian Clary says, on the setting of his new book - 'I grew up in Teddington - a very suburban place with tree-lined streets and a nice park - so it seemed right and proper to set [The Bolds] there'.

Once in Teddington, The Bold's try to settle in to human life. Getting to grips with concepts like money, jobs, supermarkets and driving is tough for most humans, let alone hyenas. But Mr and Mrs Bold adjust quickly and soon find themselves with perfectly suited roles. Mrs Bold sets up a stall selling unusual hats which the ladies of Teddington take a fancy to, wearing them to weddings. Mr Bold gets a job writing jokes for Christmas crackers, just as well he's always fit to burst with laughter! I imagine Mrs Bold's new job is a nod towards David Roberts' passion for hats, with his background in millinery and fashion, which you can often spot in his work.

Bobby and Betty are born shortly afterwards and their parents decide to tell them about their real heritage just before they start primary school (so as to not show off their tails of course). All goes swimmingly, and later even the twins school friend Minnie, who accidentally discovers the tail whilst playing fancy dress with Betty, keeps their secret.

Their neighbour Mr McNumpty however is a rather suspicious character, quite mean and rude and doesn't seem to like The Bolds at all. What is Mr McNumpty up to? Does he know The Bold's secret? Will he uncover them and send them back to the wild? Throughout the book there are suspicious lines about Mr McNumpty including - 'for some reason he was a touch nocturnal himself' and 'in fact, he quite fancied having a dig himself...'  indicating that Mr McNumpty might have a secret of his own!

After a family trip to Kenton Safari Park, to introduce the children to their roots, a plea for help from some fellow hyenas' gives The Bolds a mission - to save an elderly hyena called Tony from being 'put to sleep' at Kenton, a decision somewhat lightly made by the vet and safari park worker.

There are some real laugh out loud bits, including this one for the adults - "his sturdy shopping bag, which had served him well for many years (indeed, proclaimed itself to be a 'bag for life!') suddenly gave way along it's seams and fell apart."

and when one of the hyenas at Kenton Safari Park, Ena, introduces herself (eight year old me would have told this to EVERYONE!)

'This is my Boo, and I'm Ena,' said Ena.
'Hi, Ena,' said Fred. 'Hyena! That's funny!'

Very cleverly written, with lots of humorous bite, Julian Clary has crafted a brilliant story. Funny, quick-witted and inventive, this fantastic book will keep both children and adults entertained. Perfectly sinister at times but with obvious playfulness running through it, a thoroughly enjoyable novel.

I'll be giving away a copy of The Bolds by Julian Clary, illustrated by David Roberts on my Twitter - @lauramainellen - so check out there to be in with a chance of winning #TheBolds

The Bolds is published by Andersen Press and is £6.99, available in all good bookshops.

The very special Clara Vulliamy

Recently, my very lovely friend Clara Vulliamy created a unique little illustration just for me. I feel SO lucky and can't help but smile every time I see it!

Clara is an incredibly talented illustrator and author of lots of wonderful children's books, including the Dixie O'Day series with her mother, Shirley Hughes. She's also got a book coming out in September with Polly Faber called Mango and Bambang: The Not-a-Pig (Walker Books) which is truly lovely and a review will be popping up on here closer to publication date!

So for this illustration I sent Clara a few childhood snaps, and she's done a very fine job - it really does look like me as a little girl. The inspiration for the illustration comes from the name of my blog, Written in the Kitchen Sink and my YouTube video blog, Plugging Pictures - both inspired by one of my favourite books I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith.

Clara has captured everything perfectly, from the books stacked in the dish rack right down to the red ribbon in my hair and my yellow wellingtons. Three cheers for Clara, illustrator extraordinaire!

Lucky by David Mackintosh (and a sneak peek of What's Up Mumu?)

So I've just posted a video review of David Mackintosh's latest picture book Lucky which came out last summer with HarperCollins...

Please check it out and let me know what you think! 

Home by Carson Ellis

Hello!

So I've decided to try something new, and I've just posted my very first video blog on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icxueFeePWA

It's a sneak peek of a VERY special picture book called Home by Carson Ellis, coming out in September with Walker Books.

Check out my short video, with lots of 'um's' and mistakes and Bambi-like editing and please do let me know what you think!

Seen and Not Heard

The children of Shiverhawk Hall are to be seen and not heard... So what do you think they get up to when no one's around?! Pillow fights and midnight feasts (starting with pudding of course!) but they must be back in the nursery before sunrise.




This is a lovely book to read aloud, the words skip, stop and rhyme over the pages. Every little detail has been thought about in this delightful picture book, the names of the children alone make the book pretty darn cool:
Lily and Percy Pinksweet
Billy Fitzbillian III
Lila and Vila DeVillechild
Prudence, Peter and Pearl Plumsey

Katie May Green's illustration is so soft, with sweeping neutral colours throughout and cheeky grins from all the children. Katie got some of her inspiration from old Victorian paintings of children - see her post on Walker Books' website here

Oh and don't forget to look out for the black cat on nearly every page and the teeny tiny mice!

Seen and Not Heard by Katie May Green is published by Walker Books in hardback at £11.99 and is available at all good bookshops and at waterstones.com

Before After

Firstly, format wise this book offers something different - it’s a large hardback fiction size but purely illustrated, not a single word graces the pages.

I really love the way that this book says so much with pictures, and pictures alone. Each page depicts a before and after scenario - an acorn and an oak tree, an inkwell and quill opposite a typewriter, a pumpkin and a carriage. Some are fairly obvious, a caterpillar and butterfly for example. Whereas others are more complex, a rocking horse and a rocking chair. Each double page spread is a delight - the simple drawings and choice of colours are perfect.

Reading in sequence, page after page, you’ll notice a few of the images are potentially connected in one way or another but I won't spoil it... A particularly lovely book to discover with children (and adults!)

This gorgeous book by Anne-Margot Ramstein & Matthias Aregui is published by Walker Books is available in hardback at £12.99 and is available at waterstones.com

Millie Marotta's Animal Kingdom

This is a brand new totally awesome colouring book for older children and grown ups that haven't quite grown up yet (like me!)

Millie Marotta is a freelance illustrator based in Wales, her intricate work is perfect for for filling in with bursts of colour. Her book is absolutely full of pages (ninety to be exact - if you include the fab endpapers which are free to colour too!) of animals and nature to bring to life.

Every detail has been thought about. If, like me, you have a bit of OCD with things like stripes (I almost always alternate two colours) you'll notice there is always an even number of stripes - PERFECT!

Armed with my Muji felt tips and my Fabriano colouring pencils I set to work! I'll let the pictures do most of the talking this time...

Millie Marotta's Animal Kingdom is published by Batsford at £9.99 and is available at Waterstones Piccadilly, waterstones.com and most independent bookshops. 

Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau

I once found a book,
and was instantly hooked.

Iggy Peck was his name,

and architecture his game.

Then Rosie came too,

and oh how she flew!

I was told of Chapeau,

(David used to make hats - did you know?!)

Circling the pub date,

I just couldn't wait!

Happy Birthday Madame Chapeau, is a perfect book. 

Every year on her birthday, lonely milliner Madame Chapeau visits the most elegant restaurant in town, Chez Snooty-Patoot. On her way there she trips and a bird snatches her favourite hat! She's offered one to wear by a baker, a policeman and a cowboy but she knows that none are quite right. A gorgeous story about friendship and love that has the perfect fit at the end. 

Combining clever and witty rhyming text with the most beautiful illustrations, completely destined to make a very special picture book. Andrea Beaty's thoughtful prose rolls off the tongue (unlike my verse above!) as you follow Madame Chapeau's story.

David Roberts (yes I am a MEGA fan) considers every detail possible, I notice something new and interesting in his illustrations every time I visit his books - this one is no exception. Roberts was a milliner and talking to him earlier this year, he had so much fun creating something with two of his loves; hats and illustration, and this definitely shows in the book.

I am certainly no fashion fanatic but my mother used to take me to VV Rouleaux in Marylebone on my birthday every year to choose some new ribbons, I know it's a bit old fashioned but I loved it (and I still have most of them tucked away in a box!)

This books is utterly delightful and a perfect gift for any story lover.

Published by Abrams and is £10.99 in hardback. 

Nearly two years later...

So after nearly two years of not blogging at all, I've decided to take it up again!

I'll be regularly posting about children's books (mostly!) whether they are new, old, soon-to-be published or out of print. 

Follow me on Twitter @lauramainellen or subscribe by email to keep up to date with my latest posts!

Down under picture books for ankle biters!

It being Australia ('Straya!) day last Saturday, I got thinking about picture books that have an Australian theme or even small details relating to Australia and I managed to come up with quite a few off the top of my head! 

I had various Australian Au pairs growing up; Kylie One, Kylie Two and Vanessa (I'm not joking about the Kylie's!) until I was about 12 (I was regularly called an ankle biter and nipper) I also had a some great lodgers for a while, two lovely Australian couples from Melbourne (of which all have children now and are living back in Aus). "G'day" and "no worries" were definitely part of my everyday language as a kid with these guys around!

My mum also spent quite a bit of time in Aus when she was about 25 and she is always saying how much she loved her time there. 

Anyway I thought I'd share this list on here (as I've never written anything but reviews on here so far...) so here goes!

'Possum Magic' written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Julie Vivas

“Once upon a time, but not very long ago, deep in the Australian bush, there lived two possums. Their names were Hush and Grandma Poss. Grandma Poss made bush magic…”

Grandma Poss uses bush magic to do all sorts of things, including making Hush invisible. But one day Hush wants to be visible again and the only way to do this is to find the right food (people food not possum food!) So they tour Australia from Brisbane to Sydney trying different foods to make Hush visible again; including ANZAC biscuits, pavlova and Lamingtons!

A brilliant story with fabulous illustrations - a treasured book in my house. 

'Slow Loris' written and illustrated by Alexis Deacon

OK so Alexis isn't Australian and neither is this book... But I had to include this little illustration from the book! 

'Diary Of A Wombat' written by Jackie French and illustrated by Bruce Whatley

Way before Diary Of A Wimpy Kid there was Diary Of A Wombat! Simple illustrations detailing an introduction of what wombats do with their days. Oh, they like digging holes, eating and sleeping (as well as something else but you'll have to read to find out!)

There is also Diary Of A Christmas Wombat and Diary Of A Baby Wombat which are equally fantastic.

'Boomer The Roo' & 'An Emu Called Tangles' written by Josephine Barrymore and illustrated by Leanne Fleming or Lauren Wilhelm

Both of mine are inscribed 'Dear Laura, lots of love always, Kylie one xxxx' and I truly treasure these - the publisher was fitting for me, Little Aussie!

'Here come the Little Aussies running down the track, they're off to visit Tangles in the Great Outback. 

First comes Kip, he's carrying his swag.

Smokey's put his bush hat on and Buttons has her bag.'

Kip's a surfer and a skateboarder by the way, and Boomer is a lifeguard. Awesome characters and of course a moral to each story where Boomer or Tangles save the day and teach the Little Aussies (koalas) a lesson!

'This Is Australia' written and illustrated by Miroslav Sasek

Again not actually Australian but a lovely addition to anyone's library, gorgeously illustrated detailing landmarks, Australian animals and culture. 

Someone told me a few days ago that they never wanted to visit or live in Australia because what little culture they had was boring and uninteresting, I honestly don't think she could have been more wrong and I really hope I'm lucky enough to visit one day (or to live would be my dream!)

Here's a little Roo just because they're so cute! 

Anyway I hope you've enjoyed this post, and please do comment/tweet me letting me know of any other Aussie books you would recommend! Also if you're ever in Melbourne visit The Little Bookroom (@Little_Bookroom), a delightful children's bookshop. 

Extra Reading:

'Edwina The Emu' by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement

'Edward The Emu' by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement

'Greetings From Sandy Beach' by Bob Graham

'Window' by Jeannie Baker

'W Is For Wombat' by Bronwyn Bancroft

'Kangaroo's Can Can Cafe' by Julia Jarman and Lynne Chapman

'Aussie Animals' by Rod Campbell

'The Bungarra Five' by Josephine Barrymore and Lauren Wilhelm

'The Arrival' by Shaun Tan

Slightly unrelated but also pretty much any book published by Walker Books Australia too.

‘Quand Le Loup A Faim’ (When the Wolf Is Hungry) written by Christine Naumann-Villemin and illustrated by Kris Di Giacomo

I came across this book in Bergerac, South West France whilst on holiday with my family this summer. We were wandering through the old town and there, tucked in behind the vegetable market was an amazing bookshop with one of the most exciting children’s sections I have ever come across.  There was an entire section devoted to wolves! My family took a rather long coffee break and returned for me two hours later, when I was still reluctant to leave! I left with an armful of books, including this marvellous tale.

Sadly, my French is little more than basic but that didn’t deter from my enjoyment of this book even before I turned to Google translate for assistance. And then when I did, the tale became more hilarious still not only through having the words brought to life but then in turn, through the delightful inaccuracies in translation!

   

Edmond Bigtarin is a very hungry wolf and is really quite partial to rabbit, one that is grain fed and has fine hair. Edmond cycles off to the city from his lonely cabin in the woods in search of said rabbit, knife in hand.  On reaching the city he comes across a rather tall building.  He glances through the names on the bells at the door and comes to an abrupt halt at the nameplate for 'Max Omatose, Rabbit, 5^th Floor'. Edmond is happy! He presses the button on the elevator with the tip of his knife and adjusts his bow tie, “as a greedy wolf should not be any less elegant” (according to Google!)

Numerous animals including a turkey, a cow, a bear and a polecat appear on the scene in his elevator journey and interrupt Edmond’s efforts to reach the rabbit’s apartment. They all enquire as to whether he is the new neighbour? Edmond, not wanting to reveal the true purpose of his quest, confirms that indeed he is. The enchanting final page depicts Edmond's change of heart (he becomes a vegetarian!) after realising through his experiences en route to rabbit, that friends are infinitely more important than a tasty rabbit supper. He relocates to the city and becomes the President of the Good Neighbours Association.

Di Giacomo’s illustrations are sketchy yet detailed - the wolf with his sinister grin as he heaves the chainsaw into the elevator (having lost his knife at one point), the sincere bear who then asks to borrow the chainsaw to cut the hedge on the roof in preparation for a party there that night and of course, the amiable rabbit who welcomes the wolf with open arms to join their celebrations.

I love the imagery of a dapper, bow tie wearing wolf wandering around an apartment block with a chainsaw in hand, the naivety of the other animals and the fabulous ending. This is an utterly brilliant twist on the many traditional folktales starring wolves. This book is nothing short of irresistible and will appeal to children and adults alike (meat eaters and vegetarians!)

Recommended age 3 and a half plus

Published by Kaleidoscope in hardback and is €13.20

'Vegetable Glue' written by Susan Chandler and illustrated by Elena Odriozola

'When my right arm fell off, I knew what to do. I stuck it back on, with vegetable glue.' 

This has been one of my favourite board books to recommend for a while now. When I start to explain that it's about a girl who's body parts fall off one by one, I get mixed reactions to say the least! Some people are horrified and I go on to show them something slightly more 'appropriate' for a small child but others absolutely love it (I'm one of those people!)

I actually first came across the book whilst I was looking after a little lad one evening and he picked this as his bedtime story. I'd seen it before but never actually read it so we settled down and started to read... A little shocked at first as it wasn't what I was expecting but ended up loving it! The boy's reaction was the best - he genuinely couldn't stop laughing, endless giggles and chuckles from the then two and a half year old. 

Obviously many fantastic children's books have caused reaction before but with this one in particular it has now happened to every child I have read this book to (of course this could be my incredible talent as a storyteller, but somehow I think it's more likely to be the story...) It's got a great moral too; if you don't eat your vegetables, you can't make vegetable glue which stops your body parts falling off of you!

Spanish Odriozola's illustrations accompany the story perfectly with her muted colours and gorgeous patterns (such as the girl's dress - pictured left)

Recommended age 1 and a half+

Published by Meadowside Children's Books as a board book and is £3.99

'Charley's First Night' written by Amy Hest and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Whichever books she illustrates, I somehow cannot dislike a one by Helen Oxenbury. Take 'We're Going On A Bear Hunt' by Michael Rosen, 'Farmer Duck' by Martin Waddell and 'Ten Little Fingers And Ten Little Toes' by Mem Fox for example - luckily the talented authors' ensured every book she's illustrated I've loved even more because of their stories!






Amy Hest is a fine example of a writer that works well with different illustrators; I grew up with the 'Baby Duck' stories, illustrated by Jill Barton, which are delightful. And of course the inspiring 'When Jessie Came Across The Sea', illustrated by P.J. Lynch. Her stories just have such charm.

Charley's First Night is certainly no exception. A sweet, sweet story about a young boy named Henry Korn with a gorgeous new puppy (I know they're all cute but this one is especially scrumptious!) whom he's named Charley Korn. 

When Henry is told he must walk Charley every day and feed Charley every day, he can't wait! But when he hears that Charley has to sleep in the kitchen every night, Henry can't stop wondering about Charley downstairs all alone! While Henry is in bed, Charley starts crying and Henry rushes downstairs to comfort him. I don't think I need to tell you where Charley ends up sleeping on his first night...

I'm not a huge dog lover (two cats!) but this heart-warming story portrays the unbreakable bond between a boy and his dog.

Recommended age 3+

Published by Walker Books in hardback and is £11.99