Website competition

The website Lovereading4kids is currently running a competition to win a limited edition print of Bertie - one of the characters from 'Not Me!'. It is number 3 of an edition of just 10. All you have to do to enter is register on the site - click on the link above to find out more!

Review

I've just been notified by my publisher of a very nice review on a website called The Bookbag.

If the book was a film I'd be putting this one on the poster!

Summary: A deceptively simple but utterly charming look at a group of scamps getting up to all sorts of trouble. The illustrations are super, and the rhyming structure serves as an excellent introduction to playing with language. Warmly recommended.

Countdown

Yes, it's now only one week until Not Me! is published. Thanks to everyone who already has it on order - I'm really grateful and touched by everyone's support!

Illustration Friday (take 2): Ahead

Here is my second attempt at posting something for Illustration Friday. I have all fingers and toes crossed that this time I will be able to put something up on the website before the theme changes! This week it is "Ahead".

Not Me! Promotional Postcards

These promotional postcards have just arrived in the post from my publisher, Egmont. They come in a set of 6 featuring all the characters from Not Me! and are die-cut so that the characters can stand up. I'm really pleased with them - they're printed on uncoated card so that they have quite a retro feel. They will be sent out to bookshops and libraries to help promote the book.

Countdown

A few hours ahead of schedule but tomorrow it will be 2 weeks until Not Me! is published.

Back to the zoo again...

I went to Whipsnade zoo yesterday - it was the first time I've been this year so it was nice to have a sunny day. This brown bear was looking very casual while leaning over a rock waiting for its lunch! There was also a new male elephant - born on monday so only 5 days old. He was attracting a big crowd so it was hard to get a good view but I tried to draw him while leaning round a post.

The countdown continues!

As predicted the countdown hasn't been a regular feature but I thought I should put a little reminder up today that it's not too long now until May 3rd!

Linked

This is my first ever attempt at Illustration Friday. Every week a subject is chosen and this past week has been "linked". Unfortunately I didn't quite get it uploaded in time and the topic has now changed! Oh well.....maybe my next attempt will be more successful!

Fish of the day

Today's fish has a bit of a 1970's feel to it. And especially for David it comes with peas, chips and a lemon wedge!

A fish a day

We now have a display cabinet outside the studio and this week we are trying to turn it into a fish tank! This is my first fish. The challenge is a fish a day but I'm not sure how long it will last! Thanks to Marion and Fuzz down the corridor for contributing to the tank too.

Times review

I had a message from my friend Laura this morning saying that her mum had seen a review for Not Me! in today's Sunday Times. I just thought I'd quickly post a link to the review online here. Thanks to Laura and her mum for the tip-off!

The countdown begins!

Yes, it's exactly one month today until 'Not Me!' will be in the shops in the UK - its release date is 3rd May. I will be attempting to do a bit of a count down here on my blog - though if my blogging so far is anything to go by it will be fairly sporadic!

Oranges

I've just been trying out some slightly different techniques on the oranges I drew the other day. These are the ones I like best at the moment though I may try some more......I'll see how far I get with my list of things to do today!

Cars

I've put the penguins I've been working on for a while to one side for the Easter weekend and have decided to play around with some new ideas and techniques instead. I've made a big mess and haven't come up with any masterpieces yet but I've been enjoying myself anyway!

Review!

I received some very exciting post this morning - my sister-in-law's parents who live in Scotland sent me a lovely card and a page from the Herald which has a review for Not Me! on it. I'm pleased to report that it's a very positive review so it perked me up no end! Big thanks to Craig and Sheena. It's now only ONE MONTH till the big release day.......