13 July 2015

'Books Light up our World'

To celebrate children's literature and 70 years of the Children Books Council of Australia, the CBCA (QLD branch), proposed me to paint a traffic box with the slogan "Books Light up our World".
We were three illustrators to be in the project.
Lucia Masciullo painted her box 2 weeks ago,
Tanya Hempson in two weeks.
And here is mine, an extract of the Velveteen Rabbit (as illustrated in my book published by New Frontier Publishing in March 2015).

With the Urban Smart Project (Brisbane City Council)




17 March 2015

Some reviews of the Velveteen Rabbit

-With this new edition, the European heritage of French-Australian illustrator Helene Magisson is evident in her softly-hued, stylistic pictures that focus on the magical dimension of the story. It is a gentle but profound tale after the style of Hans Christian Andersen; it may be enjoyed superficially by young readers as the story of the relationship between a boy and his toy rabbit or contemplated by older readers as a treatment on the perception of reality.(...)
This is a beautifully designed edition of the classic, most admirably illustrated in its technically excellent, atmospheric pictures. An enchanting book for all ages.
Kevin Steinberger (Reading Time from CBCA)

-The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco & Helene Magisson (New Frontier). This splendid book is a new edition of the classic, first published in 1922. It's a timeless story about power of love and has been given a whole new treatment with beautiful design and gentle watercolours by first-time illustrator.
Recommended.
Margaret Hamilton (Pinerolo)

-Illustrations are in gentle blues and greens, lyrical and lovely. Endpapers offer two views of an empty toy room.
The Velveteen Rabbit was first published in 1922 and has been a favourite of many young and old. This beautiful edition of the story about the magic of love is sure to win a new generation of fans. Readers will enjoy their visit to a different time, and empathise with the longings of loved companion. Observant readers may also find extra details in the endpapers.
Claire Saxby (Aussiereviews)

-This stunning reprisal of the classic book, The Velveteen Rabbit is a keepsake that children will treasure forever. The first edition of the story of the Velveteen Rabbit was written by Margery Williams Bianco in 1922 and the publication stole millions of hearts and awarded her last fame (...)
This edition of the perennial favourite is nothing short of breathtaking. Illustrated by French-Australian Helene Magisson, children and adults will pour over the exquisite, classic imagery.
(Reviewzoo)


-The illustrations are beautiful, completed in muted hues that are well suited the tone of the story. The story itself is long for a picture book format, but the full page colour illustrations often spill across the double page spread, breaking up the text nicely and offering plenty of opportunity for children to focus on the visual story while parents read.
This edition of The Velveteen Rabbit is sure to connect this classic tale with a new generation. Beautiful illustrations and a meaningful story are sure to make this a book that will be treasured.
(KidsBookReview)

12 March 2015

Review The Velveteen Rabbit


If you wish to know a bit more about The Velveteen Rabbit, and the process, here is a beautiful review (and an interview) by Romi Sharp for Boomerang Books