Oliver Jeffers interview

The Guardian has a really good piece/interview with Oliver Jeffers now online. It’s great to see a picture book article talking in very specific terms about style and technique instead of resorting to  cliches about bed time reading and fluffiness.

There are also some podcasts featuring Oliver Jeffers and his work over on Just One More Book - The site is huge so I am just gradually getting to grips with it but it seems like it could end up being a good resource.

Fishing for Fís

Sarah mentioned the film crew in her study this week and  it’s all part of a new CBI partnership. Fís  Book Club is a safe secure site where young readers can upload a video book review. All the book reviews can then be reviewed and enjoyed by other book club members. Its a very clever use of the technology and the site is really easy to navigate – even for a clutz like me.

For security unless you are a registered school, you can’t get access to the reviews but you can view a taster video on the hompage. Registration is free for schools and  library groups and we’ll be encouraging all the Bisto Book of the Year Shadowing groups to get involved. Fís Book Club is a fantastic resource so please do spread the word……

Shaun Tan’s The Arrival

Irish Independent has a brief piece about Shaun Tan’s book The Arrival – here

The book was published in 2007 but continues to make new friends. If you’re looking for Christmas gift to get yourself this Christmas – get this. The Winding Stair had copies last time I was in for anyone in Dublin.

We’re hoping Shaun might be in Dublin in May 2009 – watch this space.

Direct from the screening – guest post

First official guest post from Tom Donegan – CBI’s intrepid Programme Officer

I’ve Just been to see a preview of the new ‘Secret of Kells’ animated movie, written and directed by the Cartoon Saloon’s Tomm Moore. A small but select crowd was in attendance, including members of the band Kila (who provide much of the music in the film), representatives of Trinity College (who can expect a tourist boom when it hits the screens next March) and Disney who are handling the promotion/ distribution side of things.

Not going into full critical mode here but the in summary the film is absolutely breathtaking – really stretches the boundaries of what might be considered ‘conventional’ 2D animation techniques. The narrative is simple yet powerful and features some great moments of humour, whilst the exhilarating score completes the experience perfectly. This beautiful and affecting film is the combination of over 12 years hard graft across three countries (Belgian and Brazilian animation teams were also heavily involved) and deserves to be shouted about from the top of every round tower in the country – another Irish Oscar anybody?

NB. The O’Brien Press are due to publish two complimentary titles in the coming months – a picture book  and illustrated novelisation. Tomm is currently looking for a publisher for a Graphic Novel version as well – any takers?

Round ups, Browne and McGann

David has beaten me to it with a great round up of all things book related, particularly the Guardian award. Go Read

Also worth noting – good review of Anthony Browne’s new book, Little Beauty, over on Independent site

A tomato is taken for a walk instead of a dog; a dog is put in a pram instead of a baby – and everything is portrayed in a touching and graceful way.

Although the balance of commentary between the text and the images seems a bit off. It is always tricky when reviewing picture books to talk about text and images and all to often text seems to win out and the art work gets just a brief nod.

No such issues with Sarah Webb’s review of Strangled Silence by Oisin McGann in this weekend’s Irish Independent. She has concerns about the plot but recognises that

McGann is a terrific storyteller, unafraid to tackle weighty, important subjects, always moving forwards and stretching himself and his craft. He is to be commended for this exciting, worldly read.

More positives for Creature of The Night

Nicholas Tucker heaps praised on Creature of the Night over on The Independent online.

Already the winner of many prizes, she continues to get better, with Creature of the Night a memorable addition to her previous achievements. 

He catches Thompson brilliantly well when he concludes

Whatever Thompson writes about, and her themes have ranged from genetic mutation to experiments with time, there is always that sense of urgency and total belief. Here, another unpredictable but convincing story winds its way towards a resolution that’s never quite final, but always within the teasing spirit of what has gone before.

Amnesty International’s – We are all Born Free

Amnesty International have just published new illustrated hardback featuring work by tonnes of brilliant illustrators. The book celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Artists and illustrators from all over the world, including Marie Louise Fitzpatrick, offer their personal interpretation of the Articles, making them easy to understand for young readers. Forwards by David Tennant and our own John Boyne. More details on the book and slideshow of some of the work available here. Amnesty intend touring an exhibition of the art work in October as part of Children’s Book Festival.

Incidentally CBI team member got a sneak preview of Boy in Striped Pyjamas movie on Monday morning – they can’t say much yet as it was an advance advance screening but they did like it. World Premier will be in Dublin in September. Trailer for Boy in Striped Pyjamas below

Review Round up in Irish Times

Full page of reviews of children’s and teenage titles in The Irish Times on Saturday.

Niamh Sharkey looks at picture books.

Paddy O’Doherty dives into books for 8-12 year olds

and Robert Dunbar tackles some teenage titles

It is great to see the IT consisently giving a full page to these reviews – though it would be good to give their reviewers more room for each title. Niall Mac Monagle’s review of Creature of the Night was a rare example of this. Incidentally, Philip Ardagh is equally impressed by Creature of the Night over on the guardian Though Achuka was a bit confused by some of the Ardagh’s meaning