Books Illustrated E-News

October is a special month for many reasons.

For Books Illustrated, the October 4 release of Shaun Tan’s new book Tales from the Inner City is special, as we again have the privilege to share another of Shaun's books along with a new range of limited edition prints from his original illustrations for the book.

Tales from the Inner City is a stunning companion to Tales from Outer Suburbia and features 25 illustrated short stories, each exploring unique relationships between humans and animals living together in urban environments.
Allen & Unwin publisher, Jodie Webster describes it as ‘Shaun Tan at his best.’
‘The superb illustrations and haunting stories are wonderfully captivating, and also challenge us to think about our world a little differently.'

Hear Shaun talking about his latest book on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LADVzuTYrr or you could catch him live at a Readings Bookshop event in Melbourne, on October 4, in conversation with Bernard Caleo. Bookings are essential.

Available now, by visiting Books Illustrated Studio by appointment or ordering via our website, are signed copies of the book - $35
(A special released edition – book and print $150) and a new range of Limited edition Prints – signed and numbered by Shaun $195.
Post $15 (Australia) /$35 (Overseas)

This new logo for the Melbourne Book Market, designed by Lee Burgemeestre,
will now advertise the market at events around Melbourne
eg. regularly on Saturdays at the Abbotsford Convent.

October is also a special month for author/illustrator Gabrielle Wang with the stage adaption (by the Barking Gecko Theatre company) of her well-known novel A Ghost in My Suitcase premiering in the Playhouse Theatre at the Melbourne Arts Centre from October 18-21, as part of this year's Melbourne International Arts Festival.
Tickets can be purchased at - https://www.festival.melbourne/2018/events/a-ghost-in-my-suitcase/#.W1lmUZNuYn0

Gabi will be guest author/illustrator at the Books Illustrated stand at
The Melbourne Book Market, Abbotsford Convent
on Saturday October 13
12noon to 3pm.
As well as Ting Ting the Ghost Hunter, Gabi's latest book released in September, her other books and prints will be available for sale and signing.

Illustration Inspiration

Albert Ullin wearing his fabulous mask at a charity fundraising event in 2015 organised by
Isobelle Carmody. Illustrators were invited to decorate masks which were then auctioned on line.

Another reason that this October is special for us is that it's the anniversary of The Little Bookroom opening in Melbourne!

On October 13, 1960, Albert Ullin bravely dared to open Australia's first specialist children's book shop. It soon became the Mecca for children's book enthusiasts and Albert was at the heart of it. He and his famous little bookshop were the fertiliser for a children's book industry that was about to blossom in this country. Sadly, just over three weeks ago on September 12, Albert died aged 88. He will be missed by so many in the Children's Book world, including us and we'd like to pay tribute to him and his Little Bookroom for providing illustration Inspiration!

It was a time when Australia needed it. Mums and dads and teachers of the baby boomers generation were ready to learn that there was more and much better than John and Betty to get their kids hooked on reading. Albert attended international Book Fairs and imported the classics and inspirational contemporary books from England and America. A much younger Ann Haddon, a primary teacher librarian, was introduced first hand, as were so many other teachers, librarians and parents, to the treasures at The Little Bookroom. Ann James, a mere whippersnapper art teacher-in-the-making, dropped in on her way to and from Melbourne Teachers College to devour, and sometimes even buy ... books we still treasure and are inspired by. Over many years we've grown our collection - so many came from this special place. Books created by John Burningham, Helen Oxenbury, Brian Wildsmith, Quentin Blake, John Yeoman, Pat Hutchins, Maurice Sendak, Ruth Krauss...and then the next wave: Anthony Browne, Chris Van Allsburg, Shel Silverstein,..and the next. Our children's publishing industry in Australia really took off in the 80s and so many illustrators starting their careers then were introduced to what was possible and what was going on overseas through their connection with The Little Bookroom and Albert. We all had a rich and varied diet of great kids books, picture books in particular, because Albert introduced them to us. We all have tales from The Little Bookroom from that time!

Early on in the life of The Little Bookroom, Albert developed a real interest in illustration. He attended conferences overseas, especially in the USA, where he met illustrators and then shared this overseas knowledge with illustrators back in Australia and he started a personal illustration collection which grew over the years (not to mention his famous literary t-shirt collection!). This illustration collection, donated to National Gallery of Victoria in 2015, is now a resource for the history of Children’s' Book illustration in Australia.

So, Thank you Albert, Thank you Little Bookroom, for being the inspiration to generations of storytellers - writers and illustrators, librarians and teachers and whole families of readers. For introducing us to the writers and illustrators and stories that turned us on and keep us creating.

An article titled Albert is living the Fantasy, written by CBD News in 2015, when there was an exhibition of his illustration collection at the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square, gives some insight into Albert's passions read here

The Lamberts, current owners of The Little Bookroom are just as passionate and have been growing the Little Bookroom for today's reading environment. To mark the October 13 anniversary of the opening of the store in 1960, they will hold their first children’s' book festival called Kids Book Fest on October 13 at the Fitzroy Town Hall, 10am to 5pm, featuring guest authors and illustrators - book here

L-R, Helen Chamberlin, Ann Haddon & Albert Ullin at Dromkeen at the opening of an exhibition of
Anne Spudvilas's work - May 28, 2017.

October News & Events

YABBA Awards (Young Australian Best Book Awards)
Winners of this year’s children's choice awards will be announced on
Tuesday 30 October 2018, 10am to 11.30 am
Mernda Central College, 70 Breadalbane Ave,Mernda Victoria
more information

October with the Australian Children's Laureate Morris Gleitzman

Seeing the world through different eyes, plunging deep into the thoughts and feelings of different characters, experiencing the millions of different ways people struggle to be happier - these all help us realise that life is rarely as simple as it seems on the surface.

It’s not just black and white, us and them, good and bad. There are always more than just two choices. Too complicated? Too much to think about? Being thoughtful doesn’t scare us like it does some people because we’re story readers and we’re onto it .

More information and resources on the Laureate website.

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BEHIND THE STUDIO DOOR INTERVIEWS

Tohby Riddle
July 2019

Bruce Whatley
March 2019

Anne Spudvillas
January 2019

Patricia Mullins
January 2019

Marc Martin
September 2017

Lisa Stewart
March 2016

Ilse van Garderen
October 2015

Anna Walker
June 2015

Mark Wilson
April 2015

Shaun Tan
December 2014

Leigh Hobbs
August 2014