Mummy's Little Monster

I began working on this projects over 2 years ago and it felt like the publication date would never arrive. But here we are, coming to the end of 2012, and Mummy's/Mommy's Little Monster is set to hit the shelves in just a few months... that's if the Gods of Waterstones etc decide to stock it, so I'm keeping my fingers tightly crossed.

http://doublecluck.com/book/Mummy%27s+Little+Monster+

Character Sketches

Long time no blog... so here goes. I've been spending some time developing characters and thought I'd share some of the little guys that didn't make the grade. I'm still wondering whether to do something with the little sea horse (who is at present anatomically dodgy)... we'll see.

Today's the day!

Mary had a Little Lamb is out in paperback from today! Yipee! Here's Alfie (my son) modelling the hardback version...

Horns or none? Hmph.

So, here's my dilemma: I've been developing this monster character for a new project,

 

but he looks a bit familiar...

I seem to have plagiarized myself.

But I'm not sure if he has the same impact without horns. 

More Monstering...

...my latest monster pic.

Happy! Happy! Happy!

...just because.

Monsters...

        Some characters I've been working on...

Water Babies

My thinking is that The Water Babies story is kind of complex for the picture book age range. Also, there are a few too many kiddy deaths for my liking (plus a drowned dog.. mustn't forget the dog). However, the imagery the book conjures up is just asking to be picturebookified.

So, I've tried to simplify things right down. I've retold just the beginning section of the story, which (fingers crossed) seems to work as a short story in its own right.

The Not-Too-Cutesy Fairy Challenge...

Been working away, trying to create a fairy character (for a picture book I've written) who is appealing but not too saccharine-sweet. *Touch wood* this little one fits the bill. She was originally based on my son's friend, Willow; though Willow was just too cute, so I've tried to add a teensy bit more edginess... not a lot, but it's all relative!

I do seem to be working on a bazillion projects all at once, but it helps keep me out of trouble.

Queen Sardine

Living with 4 cats (though I write this one of them is curled up with a hot water bottle looking not long for this world) was bound to rub off on my work sooner or later.

'Queen Sardine' is my current obsession. She's a hoity-toity tabby cat, and the main character in my young fiction series idea. In case the  pics need some explanation, the first show her confronted by an imaginary monster; the second shows her peeing in a plant pot!

The stories are narrated by Her Majesty's young friend and neighbour, Ivy, who's pretty much manipulated into doing whatever Queen Sardine wants. 

Trolls we are a go-go...

Book number 3 has a publishing date! I've been told that the troll book I illustrated last year will be out in early 2013.  This is the first title by the talented Dawn McNiff, and my first author/illustrator collaboration...
 

Paperback editions, oh yes!

Just 6 weeks (and yes, I'm counting) until Mary Had a Little Lamb is available in paperback. This means that (with the obligatory finger-crossing and wood-touching) it SHOULD be in bookstores this Summer! Waheeee! Available to pre-order on Hodder's website... This will be closely followed by Jack and Jill, which will be available in early August.