Silvertone: Where shall we go today? sample pages

Monday, November 22, 2010

Where shall we go today? sample pages

Here is the front cover and a few sample pages of the picture book I've made for my graphic design course at Unitec.

3 comments:

Adele said...: Lovely title page font you've used Crissi, and I like the loose cut around that the main characters have... very nice!; November 22, 2010 11:54 PM
therese orrocks said...: Crissi, these are beautiful! I esp like the cover. Do hope you make it into a book; February 10, 2011 12:01 AM
Silvertone said...: Thanks Therese. I have indeed made it into a book, all the way from A to Z as part of an assignment for the graphic design degree I'm doing at Unitec. Dreaming that it might be published one day!; February 10, 2011 12:13 AM

What I'm reading in 2011

Science Verse by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith (Viking | Penguin). Fantastic rhyming picture book all about scientific stuff. Every element of this picture book is superior - the writing, illustrations with amazing texture, and design by Molly Leach.
Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein, Illustrated by Ed Young. (Little Brown & Co). A picture book with a spine at the top which aligns with Japanese way of reading, dealing with the delicate concept of wabi sabi - finding beauty and hamony in what is simple, imperfect, natural, modest and mysterious - a feeling rather than an idea. Collage, paint, natural materials. Gorgeous.
Say Hello to Zorro! by Carter Goodrich. Picture book about a household with a well established dog who is put out to have a new dog join the family. Lovely smudgy illustrations.
Handmade Living: A Fresh Take on Scandinavian Style by Lotta Jansdotter (Chronicle). Clean and beautiful design and craft. Lots of easy projects and gorgeous interiors.
This is Paris by M Sasek (Universe) as per This is London.
This is London by M Sasek (Universe). Classic picture book about London, originally published in 1959, republished in 2004 with notes of changes at end of book but content is as original.
Handmade Nation: THe Rise of DIY, Art, Craft and Design by Faythe Levine and Cortney Heimerl (Princeton Architectural Press). A tour of America visiting contemporary crafters. Lively, inspiring with handcrafted aesthetic to the whole book.
This is Ireland by M Sasek (WH Allen). Classic picture book about the people and places in Ireland. 1964.
Not Becoming My Mother and other things she taught me along the way. By Ruth Reichl (Allen & Unwin). Ruth looks at her mother's life and how it has affected her own. Tender and generous look at a generation of women who appeared to be well cared for but in fact were often purposeless and lost.
Three Cheers for No-Ears by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Deborah Hinde (Scholastic). The animals help No-Ears find an inventive alternative to his inferior appendages, then they discover his tiny ears have an advantage. Picture book. Nice story but couldn't there have been a better name than No-Ears?
Emily the Kiwi Plays the Ukulele by Janet Martin, illustrated by Ivar Treskor (Jampot). More NZ birds and I wish the rhymes worked better. Illustrations are naive colour pencil. I know lots of people love these books, they're always in gallery and museum shops, but I'm not too sure why.
Baa Baa Smart Sheep by Mark Sommerset, illustrated by Rowan Sommerset (Dreamland Books). Sheep convinces dumb old Turkey that the sheep poo is actually smart pills. Kids do love scatological humour, but I don't much myself.
Tom and the Dragon by Juliette MacIver, illustrated by Scott Tulloch (Scholastic). A lovely double-sided story about a boy, and a dragon, each warned by their mother about the dangers of encountering the other. Nice to have a NZ book with an international flavour. Picture book
Lest We Forget by Feana Tu'akoi, illustrated by Elspeth Alix Batt (Scholastic). Nicely done for Anzac Day. Picture book.
The Silliest Dream by Mark Sommerset, illustrated by Ingrid Berzins (Dreamland Books). The story's not up to much, a nonsensical dream, but the illustrations are layered and ethereal. Picture book.
A Micronaut in the Wide Wide World: The Imaginative Life and Times of Graham Percy by Gregory O'Brien (AUP). Delicious publication about a little known NZ illustrator. I'll go back to it again and again.
Pick 'n' Mix Volume 2 (Scholastic). Stories by assorted NZ writers, illustrated by Jenny Cooper. 2nd in the series. Pretty good Kiwi-flavoured short fiction.
The Life Cycle of the Tuatara by Betty Brownlie (Scholastic). First non-fiction. All about a creature not often seen.
Who You Are is What You Do: Making Choices About Life After School by Heather McAllister (Beatnik). Workbook and resource in one to help teens find their way into life after school. Great design.
Sam & Poppy: A Dag of a Tale by Charles Nimmo, illustrated by Sam Wakelin. Two farm dogs and what they do. Fondly told by the farmer and fluid watercolour illustrations. Self published and not quite right in layout etc, but I really like it.
Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems (Walker). At last I have the sequel to KB1! Fantastic illustrations with black & white photographic backgrounds and illustrated characters. Picture book.
Super Finn by Leonie Agnew (Scholastic). Junior fiction. Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award winner. For a careers project at school Finn decides he wants to be a surperhero. In spite of everything going against him Finn somehow comes out the other end triumphant.
Violet Mackerel's Remarkable Recovery by Anna Branford, illustrated by Sarah Davis. Junior fiction, adorable young Violet has to have her tonsils out. Such a lovely character.
When the Cat's Away by Jackie Rutherford (Scholastic). Three teens are left home alone and through adversity learn to pull together. Easy teen read.
At the Lake by Jill Harris (HarperCollins). Boys stay with grandad at the lake and run into trouble with a neighbourhood bad guy. Junior fiction
The Travelling Restaurant by Barbara Else (Gecko Press). Superb novel for children (and adults) about a magical boat and those aboard as Jasper endeavours to save his sister, and expose the Provisional Monarch for the evil fraud she is. Totally excellent!
Dirt Bomb by Fleur Beale (Random House). Easy-read teen novel about a group of boys and the old car they turn into a paddock basher and all they learn along the way.
Still Alice by Lisa Genova (Simon & Schuster). Frightening novel about a 50 year old Harvard professor with early onset Altzheimers. So real, I couldn't stop reading even though it made me cry.
Enough Crumbs for Everyone by Janet Martin, illustrations by Ivar Treskon (Jampot) picturebook about sharing a picnic with lots of birds.
Tutu Taniwha Fun by Robyn Kahukiwa (Taniwha Toys and Tales). Picture book in Maori and English for pre-schoolers
Printmaking: A Contemporary Perspective by Paul Coldwell (Black Dog Publishing)
MARCH 2011
Monotype: Mediums and Methods for Painterly Printmaking by Julia Ayres (Watson-Guptill)
Symbol Sourcebook: An Authoriatative Guide to International Graphic Symbols by Henry Dreyfuss (VNR John Wiley & Sons)
Ark: The Ark Project by DGPH. An illustrated animal bible by artists from all over the world. (IDN)
Tools as Art: The Hechinger Collection by Pete Hamill (Harry N Abrams NY). An amazing collection of artworks all of various tools
The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger. A graphic novel with a spooky edge, all about librarians and bibliophiles.
The Big Picture: A History of New Zealand Art from 1642 by Hamish Keith
Paperwork by Peter Clark (Black Dog Publishing) Artist whose favourite media is maps and other ephemera. So clever. Not just amusing to look at, but added depths from the connections of the materials with the subject.
How to Draw Maps (Usborne Pocket Art) small square format book with an amazing amount of easy-to-swallow info about all kinds of maps.
The Map as Art: Contemporary Artists Explore Cartography by Katharine Harmon, Princeton Architectural Press NY
Design for Children: The Art of Graphic Design in... Games, Television, Signage & Museums, Children's Books, Toys, Records, Magazines, Poster, Newspapers by Steven Heller and Steven Guarnaccia
You Are Here: Personal Geographies and Other Maps of the Imagination by Katharine Harmon (Princeton Architectural Press NY). A wild variety of mapmaking revealing way more than just location.
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (Bloomsbury). Contemporary Paris meets the French Revolution. Gorgously flawed characters and a great history lesson about a time I previously knew little about. YA (for book group).
Over Rainbows and Down Rabbit Holes: The Art of Children's Books by Zora Charles and Lolly Robinson (The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art)
Rufus the Rooster by Jennifer Beck (Polygraphia). Jennifer's adventure into watercolour painting has resulted in this lovely story about a roadside rooster.
Stubborn Little Pony by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Heath McKenzie (Little Hare). New reader, part of series about children learning through caring for animals
Little Else: Trick Rider by Julie Hunt, illustrated by Beth Norling (Allen & Unwin). Early reader with great quirky characters. Pippi-like Else is courageous and imaginative.
Just One More by Joy Cowley, illustrations by Gavin Bishop (Gecko Press). Collection of short stories for newly independent readers with little monoprint/watercolour ink illustrations
Shadow of the Boyd by Diana Menefy (HarperCollins) Fictional telling of the fate of The Boyd' whose crew was slaughtered and boat burned by Maori in revenge for the poor treatment of one of their own. Gory but great telling of the sailing experience
Maisy's Wonderful Weather Book by Lucy Cousins (Walker Books). A first science books with flaps, tabs and wheels and lots of glorious colour
FEBRUARY 2011
Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick (Orian) YA novel (for book group) set in the desolate Arctic Circle
Cloudstreet by Tim Winton (Penguin). A sprawling Australian family saga
Starkey the Gentle Pirate by Peter Bland, illustrations by Nikki Slade Robinson (Steele Roberts). Small size landscape format picture book with lovely sketchy illustrations about a lovely if disabled pirate. Oddly, there's not copyright page.
THe Emerald Casket by Richard Newsome (Text) Intermediate adventure novel set mainly in India
THe Naughty Kids Book of Nature by Des Hunt, illustrations by Scott Tulloch (HarperCollins)
Can We Save the Tiger? by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Vicky White (Walker Books). Divnely illustrated (in pencil/pastel) picture book about animal conservation.
The Exquisite Book: 100 Artists Play a Collaborative Game by Julia Rothman, Jenny Volvovski & Matt Lamothe. Forward by Dave Eggers (Chronicle Books). Amazing sets of series of illustrations which fold out, created a la Exquisite Corpse.
The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers. An Unconventional Memoir by Josh Kilmer -Purcell (Harper/HarperCollins)
Made From Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life by Jenna Woginrich
Something's Drastic: Poems by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Tim Archbold (Collins Big Cat) children's poetry
In Me Own Words: The Autobiography of Bigfoot, words and pictures by Graham Roumieu (Manic D Press) graphic novel
JANUARY 2011
Zou and the Box of Kisses by Michel Gay, translated by Linda Burgess (Gecko Press) picture book
When Gulls Fly High Poems for Children by Peter Bland, illustrated by Joanna Bland (Puffin)
Too Many Cats! by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Amber Edwards (Edwards) picture book
Tigerbuttah by Frank Gibson & Becky Dreistadt (Patty Pan Press) picture book
The Torchlight List: Around the World in 200 Books by Jim Flynn (Awa Press)
The Taniwha of Wellington Harbour by Moira Wairama, illustrated by Bruce Potter (Puffin) picture book
The Peco Incident by Des Hunt (HarperCollins) Intermediate fiction
The Book of Love by Phillipa Fioretti (Hachette Australia), novel
The Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd (David Fickling)
Staying Home: My True Diary of Survival by Jessie O (Puffin) Intermediate fiction
Quaky Cat by Diana Noonan, illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Scholastic) picture book
Pick 'n' Mix: Assorted Kiwi Stories by various NZ authors, illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Scholastic) short stories for children
Peace Story by authors and illustrators from 22 countries (NAMIBooks) Illustrated stories for children
Obsessive Consumption: What Did You Buy Today? by Kate Bingaman-Burt (Princeton Architectural Press)
Mr Tripp Smells a Rat by Sandy McKay, illustrated by Ruth Paul (Walker Books) Junior novel
Just My Type: A Book About Fonts by Simon Garfield (Profile Books)
Boy Zero Wannabe Hero: The Attack of the Brain-dead Breakdancing Zombies by Peter Millett, illustrated by Steve May (Faber & Faber) junior novel
Bloodlines by TK Roxborogh (Penguin) YA novel, sequel to Banquo's Son (sequel to Macbeth)
Artists @ Work: NZ Painters & Sculptors in the Studio by Richard Wolfe, photos by Stephen Robinson (Penguin)
Addie Accident by Shirley Corlett (Scholastic) junior novel
99 Ways into NZ Poetry by Paula Green & Harry Ricketts (Vintage)
Science Verse by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith (Viking | Penguin). Fantastic rhyming picture book all about scientific stuff. Every element of this picture book is superior - the writing, illustrations with amazing texture, and design by Molly Leach.
Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein, Illustrated by Ed Young. (Little Brown & Co). A picture book with a spine at the top which aligns with Japanese way of reading, dealing with the delicate concept of wabi sabi - finding beauty and hamony in what is simple, imperfect, natural, modest and mysterious - a feeling rather than an idea. Collage, paint, natural materials. Gorgeous.
Say Hello to Zorro! by Carter Goodrich. Picture book about a household with a well established dog who is put out to have a new dog join the family. Lovely smudgy illustrations.
Handmade Living: A Fresh Take on Scandinavian Style by Lotta Jansdotter (Chronicle). Clean and beautiful design and craft. Lots of easy projects and gorgeous interiors.
This is Paris by M Sasek (Universe) as per This is London.
This is London by M Sasek (Universe). Classic picture book about London, originally published in 1959, republished in 2004 with notes of changes at end of book but content is as original.
Handmade Nation: THe Rise of DIY, Art, Craft and Design by Faythe Levine and Cortney Heimerl (Princeton Architectural Press). A tour of America visiting contemporary crafters. Lively, inspiring with handcrafted aesthetic to the whole book.
This is Ireland by M Sasek (WH Allen). Classic picture book about the people and places in Ireland. 1964.

Pages

Monday, November 22, 2010

Where shall we go today? sample pages

3 comments: