Illustration rock 'n' roll
Some illustration stuff for today:
Beautiful new Bugs and Butterflies stamps (“fla fla” Amelia would say as she opens and shuts her hand like a flapping butterfly) were released last Thursday from Australia Post with sublime illustrations by Graeme Base (of Animalia fame and fortune). I bought Amelia a first day cover for her treasure box and a box of 100 stamps for me to use on special mail.
Speaking of fame and fortune; While Madonna’s new kid’s book The English Roses (the first of five) meets with mixed reviews, there is no doubting that the illustrations are quite luscious in all their candy-coloured loveliness. I had a look at a copy of the book last week and searched for the name of the illustrator on the cover. No such luck! Not even in weeny tiny letters. I managed to find Jeffrey Fulvimari’s name buried on the title page.
Likewise her second book Mr Peabody’s Apples, which will be released in November, has no mention of the illustrator on the cover… and after much searching online, I find a tiny little shout-out on a Madonna fan forum that it’s illustrator Loren Long.
Madonna’s publisher Callaway tells us that “Each of Madonnaยs books will feature a different, internationally acclaimed artist” but not so acclaimed that they are worth a by-line on the cover?
Meanwhile, Madonna turns up to book launches and book signings in her new “children’s book writer” chic attire. She’s a little bit J K Rowling and a little bit beatnik…
The Illustrations are luscious! I only glanced through the book to look at pics…Glad you found out who the illustrators are, and that your mention will definitely give more credit than the book would!
That always irks me, when I have to go digging for an artist’s name. ๐ I won’t buy Madonna’s books ’cause I think she’s a hypocrite, but I’ll probably take a look through the book at the store to see the illustrations.
I love Graeme Base. How funny you mention this because I was just thinking the other day about how I used to read Animalia and the 11th Hour over and over when I was younger.
I loved the drawings in “The English Roses” too. It’s kinda sad they have to take a second seat to Attention devouring Madonna. Well, for Madonna, it’s the latest hobby. the illustrators are the real thing
That is sort of a cheap shot by Madonna’s publisher … the illustrator’s definitely deserve a lot of credit, particularly for a children’s book! (I could maybe understand being buried where the illustrations are small and only one per chapter or something… but even then, not really.)
Anyway, have you seen The Wolves in the Walls? It’s a cute (slightly scary, but not really) children’s book written by one of my favorite authors and illustrated sublimely by Dave McKean. It’s definitely worth a gander. I found myself reading through the entire thing in my local bookstore despite the many strange glances I received from other patrons. ๐ Even when I was done, I wished that I could afford to buy it.
when it was about to be launched, i wasn’t sure how it would be, a children’s book by madonna. i am biased against it, i will probably read it at the local bookstore just to look at the lovely illos.
i thought it was grand that she had a tea party launch for the book in london.
I think it’s just another thing Madonna can grasp onto to try to stay in the limelight. After her latest movies and other projects, she is trying to get all of the attention she can. That’s sad about the illustrator credit and that’s just not right.
I’m not suprised though.
-sigh- oh the memories of collecting stamps!
Do you collect some stamps? Wanna trade? ehhehe
oh i collect ‘pretty’ stamps especially bug ones and i saw them in the paper too… need to go and get them!
sometimes the come with postcards. they are coolest.
Oh I also collect stamps! Not in a “know their value way”. I just love the designs.
The whole thing about the lack of illustrator name on the book covers speaks volumes.
We had the coolest Bat stamps here – I love the Xmas ones where the Madonna and child are always so lovely.
The first Madonna of course =)
Today is Amelia J birthday! Congratulations!!! ๐
Well, I see that in Australia YESTERDAY was Amelia’s birthday… but here in Spain, it’s STILL October 3rd!So… congratulations again!
I leafed through ‘English Roses’ the other day and really didn’t like the illustrations. i thought they were a little weak and saccharine. but i’m a (self-proclaimed) children’s book snob…
I love the illustrations in the book and my daughter(she is six) LOVES her new book. She loves reading it every night.I will definitely be getting her all of the five books. ๐
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/09/26/1064083180276.html
Congrats, Looby -> the only change I’d make to this article is put you higher on the list.
Hi! I’m so glad you found the illustrator’s name! I have yet to go to the bookstore to check out the book and I tried looking online for the illustrator’s name, since they normally make it prominent when the illustrations are a large part of the book (makes sense, no?) but alas, it was not anywhere to be found. So, thanks, from a reader who wishes she could draw…
First of all, I just wanted to mention that your site is delightful and I hope I get my act together soon enough to order your holiday cards.
And thanks for pointing out the glaring omission for what makes “English Roses” terrific–the illustrator! How completely gauche that his name was omitted from the cover…was that just a major oversight or did Madonna’s gargantuan ego edge him off the page?