The Last Stardog

E. K. Mosley. Flying Eye Books. (64p) ISBN: 9781838741068
The Last Stardog

The Last Stardog

This is such a beautifully illustrated picture book, each page rich and with a level of detail that draws you into examining each page carefully and for a long time to find all the bits.

This is a story of The Last Stardog who is on a constant search for others like hime, protector of the stars and their realms.

In this journey Stardog travels to lots of different lands and comes across others who have their own stories and experiences to add.

The group grows throughout the travels bonded by a developing friendship though they are all from different backgrounds.

This is a lovely book about accepting friends for who they are and how they can help overcome the darkest times and together you can develop a new place for all to be comfortable.


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Rowena Aitken – Author Q&A

Rowena Aitken

Rowena Aitken

Rowena is a prolific artist who has worked on a wide variety of projects since she became a freelance illustrator 14 years ago. This includes The Wee Book o’ Scottish Mindfooness – A small illustrated book on mindfulness packed with Scottish colloquialisms, Our Big Box – A reminiscence tool for those with dementia and their families and The Hoots – A monthly comic following the musical adventures of The Brainiacs in Brilliant Brainz magazine.

In her spare time, she writes tutorials for other artists keen to learn digital art skills whatever their age.

Rowena has illustrated two popular children’s books: Ruan The Little Red Squirrel (2016) and The Kilted Coo (2017) before collaborating with Elisa Peacock on The Bum That Barked (2020). Her current projects involve educational illustrations primarily in the Irish language specialism and creating the artwork for Ren Cummins’ debut children’s book Princess Peanut, Be Polite (Coming 2023).

Rowena is represented by D’avila Illustration Agency & António Adrião Artist Representative

Rowena can be found at:
Website: rowenaaitken.com
Email: rowena@rowenaaitken.com
Twitter/X: @rowenaaitken
BlueSky: @rowenaaitken.bsky.social
Instagram: @rowena.aitken.illustration
Etsy: rowenaaitken.etsy.com/
Redbubble: www.redbubble.com/people/roaitken/shop
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/rowena-aitken-illustration/

When did you know you wanted to become an illustrator?

I’ll start off with the stereotypical answer that I have always drawn. I was a nuisance when I was wee & I think drawing was the only thing that made me sit down for 5 minutes. My parents encouraged me & were always my biggest champions. I was forever lavished with pens, pencils, paper and paint.

I always wanted to become an artist but never realised I could become an illustrator – careers advisors at high school were generally stumped if you wanted to go down a non-standard career path. After graduating with a degree in Animation I drew for pleasure & posted on deviantART (now deleted account) until a perfect life storm came along & I thought “Why not try being a professional illustrator? Worst case I need to get a real job!”. That was 14 years ago.

It’s not easy & always a work in progress; developing, learning & evolving. I don’t think I can see myself doing anything else.

How long does it typically take to make a page or cover for a book?

Blimey! How long is a piece of string?

My answer is it takes as long as it needs to be right or good enough for the deadline. Is everything I send off perfect? Of course not. Perfection is a fool’s errand.

What’s your favourite piece of art equipment?

Definitely my Wacom 27QHD Cintiq – It changed the way I work. I was using a Wacom Intuos 4 XL tablet for about 10 years (still got it, still works) but then I started getting wrist issues. A friend of mine sold me their small Cintiq & although the drawing area was smaller than what I was used to, it was a game changer. It turned out the wrist issues were carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists (which I had surgery for – great success!) so I invested in The Big Wacom that a Twitter pal was selling at the start of the pandemic. My posture & workflow has never been better!

Creatives – look after your body!

Do you have a favourite colour scheme, if so what and why?

I tend towards cooler colours; teal, purple, lime green but also a bit of shocking pink.

Who were your inspirations when starting out?

I’m not sure! I think it was pure pigheaded determination to prove I could do it.

Pixel the Cat

Pixel the Cat

Do you have another job beside being an illustrator, if so what?

On call servant to Pixel the cat.

What do you do to overcome a creative block?

Creative block is very easy to overcome if you have a deadline. It’s also easy to solve if you can bounce ideas around & chat about a problem with someone. My other half Andrew is fantastic for this.

Creative block on personal projects is an entirely different animal. I feel giving yourself constraints helps – if you can draw anything then you invariably end up drawing nothing. A short brief is usually all I need.

Do you have a favourite piece in your portfolio, if so could you share it and talk about it?

Yes it’s the Space Dinosaurs! I don’t recall why I thought “yes, dinosaurs in space” but I’m glad I acted on that whim.

Space Age Dinosaur

Space Age Dinosaur

What was your first book related project?

My first children’s book was Ruan The Little Red Squirrel which came out in 2016. I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book – the day I got the contract for this book I found out my Dad had cancer. Sadly he passed away before I could show him the finished printed result but I shared updates with him during the process. I’m incredibly proud of the book – I feel though it’s not my best work but given the circumstances it’s testament to how I can produce something even in the toughest of life’s situations.

Ruan, The Little Red Squirrel

Ruan, The Little Red Squirrel

My second book The Kilted Coo (written by Rachel McGaw & published by Forth Books) was dedicated to my late Dad. I felt I did this one justice & he’d be proud.

The Kilted Coo

The Kilted Coo

What type of media do you prefer to work in and why?

These days I work 100% digital – I use Photoshop & a Wacom 27QHD Cintiq. I do enjoy working with pencils however I don’t have the space at the moment.

Do you have a playlist you like working to? If so do you want to share it?

It really depends on what I’m working on – if it’s the sketch/planning stage it’s ambient music. Right now it’s the Death Stranding soundtrack, Aphex Twin, Leftfield, Radiohead, Hans Zimmer soundtracks. If it’s the refining & rendering stage I listen to audiobooks, Metallica, Prodigy, Chemical Brothers.

Do you have any rituals when working?

I try & use the Pomodoro technique where I work in 45min blocks then get up, go to the little illustrators’ room, make a coffee/get a drink/snack & have a bit of a stretch.

I also have either a mug of strong black coffee &/or a pint of ice cold water.

Did the books you read as a child influence your work?

I suppose they must have, however my love was cartoons. So much that I ended up studying Animation at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee.

I love Chuck Jones’ work – the expressions & dynamic poses are incredible & I try to pay homage to those factors in my work.

Has your illustration/art style changed over time?

Absolutely! I started off working in tabletop RPG art (despite the fact I have never played it in my life). The art was predominantly black & white because it was cheaper for publishers who tended to be self-pubs & paying out of their own pocket. I was more rigid back then – probably because I was starting off with digital art as a job. I had been using a tiny Wacom Graphire 4 A5 for a couple of years but I hadn’t loosened up yet. My “real” art was the opposite; very loose, flowing, scribbly. Now my digital art is fluid as heck. It’s now cute, round, soft, gently textured with popping colours.

How closely do you work with the author on developing the illustrations for a book?

For all my books I’ve worked very closely – my current project Princess Peanut, Be Polite I speak with Ren (Cummins) every couple of weeks. I have been known to randomly message him with an idea. I love that way of working because I can really get inside the author’s mind (plus we get to add in little details/inside jokes/fun references).

If you can please tell us about your latest project and if not your last project

I’ve been working with the fab & lovely Ren Cummins on his debut children’s book Princess Peanut, Be Polite. This is the story of a fussy princess who is implored by her governess to try new food. The artwork is almost complete & we hope to have the book out in Q4 of this year!

Princess Peanut, Be Polite

Princess Peanut, Be Polite


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Flooded

Mariajo Ilustrajo. Frances Lincoln. (40p) ISBN: 9780711276796
Flooded

Flooded

I’ve started reusing NetGalley (got a lot to read and review as I left with so many to review) and this was the first new book I asked for as I really liked the art style of the cover.

Throughout the book we follow a town full of animals as water slowly builds up around them and the town gets flooded by inches.

A wonderful allegory for the creeping change of the climate disaster that is happening now around all of us, especially how some are more affected than others and those that are more privileged are cushioned from the worse aspects of it until the very end.

This book was very hopeful in that it believed that everyone would notice it before it was too late and group together to do something that would solve the problem before it was too late for all.

A beautifully cool art style throughout was helped with some great use of humour in the illustrations.

Perfect for the slightly older child to help explain community responsibility and the power of working together to a common goal.


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14 Golden and Autumnal picture books

Autumn Leaves

Autumn Leaves

I love this time of year, I love that definite signing of the changes of the seasons.

I do love Spring as well, that freshness, that boundless potential, all that growth…

But I’m a real September baby!

Over on Twitter a year back I asked people for their recommendations for beautiful autumnal picture books and got a great response and have added them to the list I had in mind.

Please let me know if I’ve missed your favourite!

Storm

Storm

Storm by Sam Usher was the first book that came to mind for me and was also shared by a few others over on Twitter, the cover is just beautiful as is the interior.

‘It’s blowing up a storm, and a boy and his grandad decide it’s the perfect weather for kite-flying. There’s just one problem – first they have to find the kite. Their search brings up lots of wonderful memories of previous adventures together, but when they finally make it outside, their adventure really takes off!’

Publisher: Templar Publishing
ISBN: 9781787412422

The Very Helpful Hedgehog

The Very Helpful Hedgehog

The Very Helpful Hedgehog by Rosie Wellesley caught my eye as the pile of apples was so inviting and the hedgehog so cute.

A sweet tale of friendship and learning to help one another, set in the beautiful countryside

Isaac is a hedgehog who has only ever been alone – and that is the way he likes it. One day an apple falls from a tree and sticks onto the spines on his back. He wiggles and jiggles, but he cannot get it off. As he struggles to remove the apple, help comes in the unexpected form of a donkey who cannot reach the apples which fall outside of his paddock.

Isaac learns that it is better to have a friend and to be helpful than to be on your own all of the time.

Publisher: Pavilion Books
ISBN: 9781843651987

Leaf Man

Leaf Man

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert with the cover and illustrations made from real leaves and autumn bits this is a visually arresting cover.

Autumn has come, the wind is gusting, and Leaf Man is on the move. Is he drifting east, over the marsh and ducks and geese? Or is he heading west, above the orchards, prairie meadows, and spotted cows? No one’s quite sure, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man’s got to go where the wind blows.

With illustrations made from actual fall leaves and die-cut pages on every spread that reveal gorgeous landscape vistas, here is a playful, whimsical, and evocative book that celebrates the natural world and the rich imaginative life of children.

Publisher: Harcourt Children’s Books
ISBN: 9780152053048

City Moon

City Moon

City Moon by Rachel Cole, illustrated by Blanca Gómez a beautifully illustrated book about the shortening days and bedtimes.

A little boy and his mother take a nighttime walk to search for the moon in this gentle, keenly observed bedtime book that’s sure to appeal to fans of Kevin Henkes’s Kitten’s First Full Moon and young children who find the moon fascinating.

Soothing text and hip, coloruful collage style illustrations create a nighttime story that follows a little boy and his Mama as they walk around their neighbourhood looking for the moon. As the elusive moon plays peek-a-boo behind buildings and clouds, the little boy asks simple questions about it, and his Mama patiently answers every one. When finally the moon appears–bright and white and round and glowing–the mama and her boy stop and wait for it to disappear again. The moonlit walk continues until the boy yawns and Mama lifts him into her arms and whispers, -it is time for bed.-

Publisher: Random House USA Inc
ISBN: 9780553497076

Fox

Fox

Fox by Isabel Thomas, illustrated by Daniel Egneus, now for one that isn’t released yet (1st October 2020) but looks and sounds intriguing.

In the frost-covered forest of early spring, fox is on a mission to find food for her three cubs. As they grow, she teaches them how to survive in the wild. Until one day, fox dies. Her body goes back to earth and grass and air, nourishing the world around her and bringing the forest to life. Death is not just an end, it’s also a beginning.

Fox: A Circle of Life Story answers the big scientific question: What happens when we die? Bringing together an evocative non-fiction narrative with breath-taking illustrations, this book will help parents and children to talk about life and death. It introduces the scientific concept that death leads to new life, and that this way of understanding the world is no less beautiful and awe-inspiring than traditional stories. Fox: A Circle of Life Story unites story and science to explain this big concept to children who have lost a pet or a loved one, or who simply are curious about death and what happens after we die.

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN: 9781526600776

Leaves

Leaves

Leaves by David Ezra Stein, I just loved the look of this board book, so cute and bears are always a winner.

This simple, charming story of a young bear’s first autumn is perfectly suited to board book format. Bear is surprised when the leaves start falling off the trees, but when he tries to reattach them, it doesn’t work. Eventually, he gets sleepy, and burrows into the fallen leaves for a long nap. When he wakes up, it’s spring-and there are suddenly brand-new leaves all around, seeming to welcome him.

With its childlike main character and graceful illustrations, Leaves is a great way to teach the youngest children about the changing seasons.

Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
ISBN: 9780399254970

Tumshie

Tumshie

Tumshie by Mark Mechan it was bloody hard work I can tell you.

Tumshie is the Halloween story of a dad and son making old fashioned Halloween lanterns and a costume together.

The story is set today in Scotland, and it’s inspired by how a Scottish Halloween used to be celebrated.

Back when Halloween meant ‘guising’ (today that is trick or treating) and ‘dooking for apples’ (bobbing for apples) and carving out a tumshie (Scots for turnip) was a rite of passage for Scottish children who needed the strength of an ox and the stubbornness of a donkey.

Publisher: The Gresham Publishing Co. Ltd
ISBN: 9781849345323

Autumn Story

Autumn Story

Autumn Story by Jill Barklem is an old favourite, part of the Brambley Hedge series.

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the miniature world of the mice of Brambly Hedge!

Bad weather is on the way and the autumn stores are still not gathered in!

Quickly, all the mice of Brambly Hedge set to work to finish the harvesting before the rain begins. Primrose, Lord Woodmouse’s daughter, meant to help, but somehow she daydreamed her way over the cornfield and into the Chestnut Woods, and before she knew it, she was lost. The sun went down, the wind rose and it began to rain. Primrose was all alone in the dark and she was frightened.

Poor Primrose, would she find her way home again?

Also look out for Summer Story, Spring Story and Winter Story!

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780001837393

The Golden Acorn

The Golden Acorn

The Golden Acorn by Katy Hudson, looks playful and fun with great illustrations.

Whoosh! Squirrel takes off at full speed through the autumn leaves. But slam on the brakes, because this year The Golden Nut Hunt race is a team event. Squirrel reluctantly enlists her friends and is not impressed. Will Squirrel’s competitive spirit take over or will she learn how to be a team player?

Best-selling author Katy Hudson (Too Many Carrots and A Loud Winter’s Nap) proves that winning isn’t everything in this energetic picture book about friendship, teamwork and forgiveness – and that those are things to go nuts about!

Publisher: Capstone Global Library Ltd
ISBN: 9781474778060

The Squirrels Who Squabbled

The Squirrels Who Squabbled

The Squirrels Who Squabbled by Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field is a firm favourite when we could do storytime, wonderful illustrations and a fun story.

Two greedy squirrels learn to share in the third hilarious rhyming adventure from the bestselling creators of The Lion Inside and The Koala Who Could.

Greedy squirrels Cyril and Bruce both have their sights on a very special prize: THE VERY LAST NUT OF THE SEASON! As the nut bounces crazily though the forest, the squirrels race after it, between the trees, over boulders, down the river and – ARGH! – right to the edge of a waterfall! Working together might be the only way to save themselves now …

A laugh-out-loud tale about friendship and sharing from the award-winning creators of The Lion Inside and The Koala Who Could. Perfect for competitive friends and sibling rivals!

Publisher: Hachette Children’s Group
ISBN: 9781408340479

Sweep

Sweep

Sweep by Louise Greig, illustrated by Julia Sarda, such a wonderfully energetic cover alone makes this a book I want to have.

An uplifting story about confronting big emotions from the author of The Night Box, stunningly illustrated by Julia Sarda.

Ed’s bad mood begins as something really small, hardly a thing at all.
But before long it grows, gathers pace, and spreads through the whole town.
Can Ed sweep his troubles away?

A wonderful bedtime story for children aged 3 years and up, perfect for helping children learn to recognise and deal with big emotions.

Publisher: Egmont UK Ltd
ISBN: 9781405283779

The Leaf Thief

The Leaf Thief

The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming, illustrated by Nicola Slater has just the cutest cover I’ve seen in a long time.

A brilliantly funny picture book about seasons, written by Alice Hemming and illustrated by Nicola Slater. Squirrel is so cross. Yesterday there were loads of beautiful leaves on his tree, but today?

Today some are missing and Squirrel is convinced that someone has stolen them… there’s a leaf thief on the loose! Join Squirrel on a mission to find the culprit, and meet so many fun animals on the way, while you find out how the world takes on different colours as the months pass by.

A laugh-out-loud book about the changing seasons, with extra information in the back for especially curious minds Perfect as a companion reader to children learning about seasons in school A brilliant picture book that explores feelings, moods and times where we feel out of control

Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 9781407191447

Little Goose's Autumn

Little Goose’s Autumn

Little Goose’s Autumn by Elli Woollard, illustrated by Briony May Smith, just been published and looks to be one I would love to use in an autumn-themed storytime.

Little Goose’s Autumn is a second stunning story from an exciting picture book pairing and the uplifting tale of a lively young goose finding her place in the world.

As summer fades to autumn, a lively young goose feels a change in the air and senses she has something important to do – but what? The beavers are chopping wood, the squirrels are storing nuts in the ground and the bears are busy building a den. The plucky little goose tries to join in, but without great success. She realizes her wings weren’t built for chopping wood, or burying food, or building a den, but they were built for something magnificent – they were built for flight . . .

A beautiful, lyrical and hopeful story about finding your wings and your place in the world. Written by star picture book author, Elli Woollard with wonderful illustrations by rising talent, Briony May Smith, whose artwork brings an autumnal landscape of mountains and forests to life with truly breathtaking beauty.

Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 9781509807970

After the Storm

After the Storm

After the Storm by Nick Butterworth, and let’s finish on a great addition to one of the most popular series of picture books around.

Celebrate thirty years of Percy the Park Keeper and his animal friends with this funny story in the classic series from award-winning author and illustrator Nick Butterworth!

A storm is raging outside and Percy the park keeper is having a sleepless night. When he gets up the following morning, Percy finds that the old oak tree has been blown down. It is a disaster for his animal friends who live there, but Percy is soon devising a plan to help his little friends find new homes.

Includes a fabulous, surprise fold-out poster!

More than 9 million Percy the Park Keeper books sold, worldwide!

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780007155156


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Deep

Stephen Hogtun. Bloomsbury Publishing. (32p) ISBN: 9781526610683
Deep

Deep

After reading The Station Cat last year I was happy to see that Stephen Hogtun had a new picture book coming out.

Another beautifully illustrated picture book from Stephen, Deep follows the story of a mother whale and calf from birth the when the calf becomes independent.

Largely a metaphor for coping with life with the help of others and supporting others to become independent and still loving when they are gone, it isn’t cloying and the story works well.

The palette used to explore the story is a very blue palette, with shades of green thrown in, but when there are difficulties the palette does change to be slightly darker.

The pictures are beautiful and move you through the story with a lot of movement which supports the story well.


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The Thing at 52

Ross Montgomery, illus. Richard Johnson. Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. (40p) ISBN: 9780711279148
The Thing at 52

The Thing at 52

I was immediately drawn to this book on NetGalley by the gorgeous cover of The Thing and the girl on the roof.

A warm and compassionate story of understanding the impermanence of things and attachments.

A girl befriends The Thing at 52 and becomes very attached to Thing, they grow together as friends and chosen family with the girl’s mum also part of this family.

They share all kinds of big and small adventures together, and when the girl realises that there are more Things in the world she helps to get them together to form a supportive community.

There is a realisation quite early on that all Thing’s must go at sometime and no one knows where to, and eventually The Thing at 52 goes.

The story then goes on to show that with resilience and support we can hold on to the memories of the Thing but also grow new memories of the people and Things that fill the space where they used to be.

I absolutely loved the illustrations from Richard Johnson, fun and full of warmth and compassion they go hand in hand with the text in a brilliantly supportive manner, in fact you could tell the story with the pictures and no words they were that good.

A great book to get talks about loss and growth from loss.

Thanks for the book NetGalley!


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