09 May, 2011
14 April, 2011
Good News!
Wow! I was so delighted to learn that two of my books have been shortlisted for this year's CBCA Children's Book of the Year Awards in Australia.
What a surprise!
The books shortlisted are:
What a surprise!
The books shortlisted are:
- It's Bedtime, William! Published by Penguin Viking, 2010
- The Tall Man and the Twelve Babies. Published by Allen & Unwin, 2010
William jumps for joy!
The lion is laughing!
The babies are so happy!
We are all thrilled at this exciting news!
10 April, 2011
Let's Play!
I've written and illustrated this book for very young children.
Using bright colours and a simple theme, this story takes a look at friends having fun together in the playground.
The version shown below is the delightful Spanish edition published by Kane / Miller Book Publishers in California.
This story tells of three friends having a great time by sharing and co-operating with each other.
Using bright colours and a simple theme, this story takes a look at friends having fun together in the playground.
The version shown below is the delightful Spanish edition published by Kane / Miller Book Publishers in California.
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| Let's Play! Cover of Spanish edition |
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| Red Dog climbing |
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| Blue Cat and Yellow Bird Swinging |
28 February, 2011
Congratulations!
A fantastic win for Shaun Tan!
He is taking home an Oscar in the category of Best Animated Short Film in today's Academy Awards.
His film was based on his very popular children's book, The Lost Thing.
Shaun Tan is an outstanding artist and deserves all the acclaim he receives now and in the future.
He inspires many, many new and established illustrators and artists with his superb work..
He is taking home an Oscar in the category of Best Animated Short Film in today's Academy Awards.
His film was based on his very popular children's book, The Lost Thing.
Shaun Tan is an outstanding artist and deserves all the acclaim he receives now and in the future.
He inspires many, many new and established illustrators and artists with his superb work..
Grandpa Baby
How exciting to see a copy of the Portuguese edition of a favourite book of mine, Grandpa Baby!
Here is the cover.
And the title page...
Written by Margaret Wild and illustrated by me, this Portuguese edition is published by Editora Fundamento, Brazil.
Here is the cover.
And the title page...
Written by Margaret Wild and illustrated by me, this Portuguese edition is published by Editora Fundamento, Brazil.
22 February, 2011
More favourite illustrations
The delicate art of Kazuo Iwamura...
Have a look at the delightful illustrations from a range of his children's books.
Have a look at the delightful illustrations from a range of his children's books.
12 February, 2011
The Bandicoot
The sweet bandicoot is a small Australian marsupial whose varieties are unfortunately in decline. They have fallen prey to domestic cats, foxes and dogs. Once they were commonly found in suburban gardens foraging for slugs, worms, snails and other pests. They have been known to add a little meat to their diets when in captivity.
The Long-nosed Bandicoot is found in Eastern Australia and this is the type I chose to illustrate in a light-hearted way for my book The Drover's Dream, published in 1979.
These days the bandicoot is a protected species. Let's hope the numbers will increase, especially the particular varieties that are endangered.
The Long-nosed Bandicoot is found in Eastern Australia and this is the type I chose to illustrate in a light-hearted way for my book The Drover's Dream, published in 1979.
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| Illustration Deborah Niland: The Drover's Dream (Collins 1979) |
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| Illustration Deborah Niland: The Drover's Dream (Collins 1979) |
30 January, 2011
A plethora of pigs
What is it about the charms of our porcine friends which attract the artist and illustrator?
Many a delightful character has been created in pigly form by a large number of artists.
Here is a selection of superb swines to appreciate. All by artists who have a special affinity with the inspiring pig.
Many a delightful character has been created in pigly form by a large number of artists.
Here is a selection of superb swines to appreciate. All by artists who have a special affinity with the inspiring pig.
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| Colin McNaughton, Illustrator: Book - Who's Been Sleeping in my Porridge? |
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| Carol Thompson, Illustrator: Book - In My Bathroom |
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| Anthony Browne, Illustrator: Book - Piggybook |
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| Arnold Lobel, Illustrator: Book - The Book of Pigericks |
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| Mick Inkpen, Illustrator: Book - If I Had a Pig |
19 January, 2011
A favourite book
Mister Dog is a childhood favourite!
The combination of the quirky story by Margaret Wise Brown and the perfect illustrations by Garth Williams makes this one a winner.
It was many years later before I stumbled on a reprint and I had just as much enjoyment from this book as I did when I was a child.
Garth Williams (1912-1996) as an illustrator was able to convey the furriness and character of the many animals he drew in his books. As a child this is what appealed to me looking at his illustrations.
Garth Williams has a well-known reputation as an artist, writer and illustrator. His classics include Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little.
From an obituary article by Mel Gussow in The NY Times 1996:
"In his review of "Stuart Little" in The New York Times Book Review in 1945, Malcolm Cowley praised the book as "one of the best children's books published this year," but never mentioned the name of the illustrator (often Mr. Williams's fate)."
Another quote from Mel Gussow:
"He (Garth Williams) believed that books "given, or read, to children can have a profound influence." For that reason, he said, he used his illustrations to try to "awaken something of importance . . . humor, responsibility, respect for others, interest in the world at large."
May Garth Williams continue to delight generations of children with his thoughtful, skilled and humorous illustrations.
The combination of the quirky story by Margaret Wise Brown and the perfect illustrations by Garth Williams makes this one a winner.
It was many years later before I stumbled on a reprint and I had just as much enjoyment from this book as I did when I was a child.
Garth Williams (1912-1996) as an illustrator was able to convey the furriness and character of the many animals he drew in his books. As a child this is what appealed to me looking at his illustrations.
Garth Williams has a well-known reputation as an artist, writer and illustrator. His classics include Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little.
From an obituary article by Mel Gussow in The NY Times 1996:
"In his review of "Stuart Little" in The New York Times Book Review in 1945, Malcolm Cowley praised the book as "one of the best children's books published this year," but never mentioned the name of the illustrator (often Mr. Williams's fate)."
Another quote from Mel Gussow:
"He (Garth Williams) believed that books "given, or read, to children can have a profound influence." For that reason, he said, he used his illustrations to try to "awaken something of importance . . . humor, responsibility, respect for others, interest in the world at large."
May Garth Williams continue to delight generations of children with his thoughtful, skilled and humorous illustrations.
30 October, 2010
In praise of dragons
Dragons have tended to receive bad press over the centuries.
I'd like to concentrate on their good points. Despite somewhat fiery temperaments, dragons are relatively peaceful and generally keep a low profile, going about their work guarding their treasures. Their aggression only rises when confronted with a threat.
But isn't this what you would expect from a loyal dragon doing his job?
I'm sure the working conditions are less than ideal. And what does a dragon receive for his stoic efforts in battling his enemies and protecting his treasure, be it money or maidens?
These days, I think small dragons could make good house pets. They would be fairly low maintenance, although toenails would need clipping regularly, could light the barbecue on command, and be a great watch dragon for the whole neighbourhood.
Artists and illustrators have always been inspired by the myths and legends surrounding dragons.
I'd like to concentrate on their good points. Despite somewhat fiery temperaments, dragons are relatively peaceful and generally keep a low profile, going about their work guarding their treasures. Their aggression only rises when confronted with a threat.
But isn't this what you would expect from a loyal dragon doing his job?
I'm sure the working conditions are less than ideal. And what does a dragon receive for his stoic efforts in battling his enemies and protecting his treasure, be it money or maidens?
These days, I think small dragons could make good house pets. They would be fairly low maintenance, although toenails would need clipping regularly, could light the barbecue on command, and be a great watch dragon for the whole neighbourhood.
Artists and illustrators have always been inspired by the myths and legends surrounding dragons.
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| Dragon from Korea, artist unknown |
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| Netsuke with tiger and dragon, artist unknown |
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| St George and the Dragon, artist Paolo Uccello |
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| Another St George and the Dragon, artist Deborah Niland |
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| Chinese dragon, artist Libico Maraja |
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| Dragon Boats, artist Libico Maraja |
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