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Gone To The Woods by Gary Paulsen

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 11 Jan 2021
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“A rich, compelling read that is emotive and expressive without forcing empathy from the reader. Both brightly funny and darkly tragic, it is fresh in its honest portrayal of difficult themes.Readers will fall into this narrative of succeeding against overwhelming odds amid deep trauma.” KIRKUS
“Beautifully written, Paulsen’s memoir demonstrates that good can triumph over bad beginnings.” BOOKLIST
“Read like a wolf eats. Read when they tell you not to read, and read what they tell you not to read.” Gary Paulsen

If not for his six-hundred-mile journey from the busy Chicago city to a captivating Minnesotan farm aged five, there never would have been a Hatchet. Without the encouragement of the librarian who handed him his first book aged thirteen, he may never have become a reader. And without his daring teenage enlistment in the army, he might not have discovered his true calling as a storyteller.

Gone to the Woods: A True Story of Growing Up in the Wild is the  true story of Gary Paulsen’s childhood, of grit and growing up, and is Paulsen at his rawest and most real.


 

 

Meet An Illustrator 1 – Jim Field

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self-portrait © Jim Field

We’re delighted to have Jim Field as the first subject of our new Meet An Illustrator feature.

Jim’s first picture book was Cats Ahoy written by Peter Bently, which won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2011. He has become known for drawing frogs on logs since the picture book Oi Frog! written by Kes Gray became a best-seller.
 
Last year he published his first self-authored picture book Monsieur Roscoe On Holiday and is currently at work on a second Monsieur Roscoe title.
 

This year we can look forward to:

 

As a child, what were the first illustrations you remember being pleased with? 

A Summer Fair Poster I illustrated when I was 5 years old, it was picked as the winning illustration to be used for my School. The drawing is still somewhere at my parents’ house.

 

Who/what inspired you when you were young?

Characters were a big inspiration to me from a very young age – from cartoons and books, Tom and Jerry, Wile-E Coyote and Roadrunner, Richard Scarry’s Busy Town. My dream was to make animated cartoons as a child.

 

Who inspires you today?

Many things inspire me from music, my surroundings, my family, walks in nature, films, exhibitions, other illustrators (too many to name here). 

 

Did you study art or illustration? If so, where?

I studied a BA in Animation at Hull School of Art and Design from 1999-2002.

 

What is your favourite artist tool/product?

A Jumbo Faber Castell 4B pencil.

 

Where do you buy your art supplies?

Rougier et Plé in Paris 11éme.

 

What software/apps do you use?

Photoshop. I’ve been using it for 20 years, we have a love/hate relationship.

 

What was your first commission?

I designed a logo of a super-hero character for a Carpet Company back in 2002. 

 

What are you working on at the moment?

I am just starting work on my second self-authored/illustrated bilingual book, Monsieur Roscoe; Book 2 (title still to be confirmed!) 

 

Twitter or Instagram? Instagram

Coffee or tea? Tea

Cat or dog? Dog

Grape or grain? Grain

Sunrise or sunset? Sunset

 

What do you listen to when you are working?

Oh I love to listen to many types of music while I work, such as Bill Callahan, Ravi Shankar, Eternal Tapestry, Brian Eno. 

 

Where can we follow you on social media?

@_JimField on Twitter

@_JimField on Instagram

 

This will be a regular weekend feature, publishing every Saturday.

20th Phil Earle Novel Snapped Up By Andersen Press

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Andersen Press has announced acquisition of the 20th children’s novel  by Phil Earle, marking 10 years since his first book was released.

When the Sky Falls will be Phil’s first book with Andersen, and is an emotionally charged, classic-in-the-making to be released in June. World rights for two books were won by Charlie Sheppard, Andersen Press’ Publishing Director, from Jodie Hodges at United Agents. A second book will be released in 2022.

Based on a true story, When the Sky Falls is set in 1941, as war rages. One angry boy has been sent to the city, where bombers rule the skies. There, Joseph will live with Mrs F, a gruff woman with no fondness for children. Her only loves are the rundown zoo she owns and its mighty silverback gorilla, Adonis. As the weeks pass, bonds deepen and secrets are revealed, but if the bombers set Adonis rampaging free, will Mrs F or Joseph be able to end the life of the one thing they truly love?

The book is already generating pre-release buzz from some big names in children’s books:

‘An extraordinary story with historical and family truth at its heart, that tells us as much about the present as the past. Deeply felt, movingly written, a remarkable achievement’ – Michael Morpurgo

‘Complex, dark, intense and mysterious. An astounding work of fiction’ – Anthony McGowan

‘A story about love and friendship and how animals can connect people in the darkest of times and allow them to heal’ – Gill Lewis

 Speaking about the book Phil Earle has said, ‘Although it feels surreal to have been published for ten years now, I couldn’t be prouder that When the Sky Falls will be my twentieth book, or happier that it will be published by Andersen Press. The passion everyone there has shown for Joseph and Adonis’s story has been overwhelming, and although it’s always nerve-wracking when your book travels out in the world, I honestly couldn’t be more excited.’

available for pe-order

 

When the Sky Falls, written by Phil Earle and published by Andersen Press will be released 3/6/2021, paperback, £7.99.

 

Everything Comes Next: Collected and New Poems by Naomi Shihab Nye ill. Rafael Lopez

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 8 Jan 2020

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“Emotionally resonant and stirring, this is a must-have title.”
KIRKUS
“Lucky the reader who would have this collection lying around for visiting and revisiting.”
HORN BOOK

Everything Comes Next is a treasure chest of Naomi Shihab Nye’s poems from the past 40 years, including several not previously published. From favourites such as “Famous” and “A Valentine for Ernest Mann,” to the widely shared “Kindness” and “Gate A-4,” this collection celebrates her term as Young People’s Poet Laureate in the US. The book is an introduction to her work for new readers as well as a comprehensive edition for classroom and family sharing. Writing prompts and tips by the award-winning poet make this an outstanding choice for aspiring poets of all ages.

Follow Naomi Shihab Nye on Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/naomishihabnye/
Follow the book’s illustrator, Rafael Lopez, on Twitter:

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Rafael Lopez (@rafael_l61)


Fidget the Wonder Dog by Patricia Forde ill. Rachael Saunders

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 7 Jan 2020

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What a sense of character illustrator Rachael Saunders has given Fidget! This is a book that combines humour and heart with a faultless read-aloud rhythm. One that will be requested and read over and over.

An epic tale of love, loss, reunion and adventure on the high seas told through the friendship of a girl and her beloved dog, Fidget.

This is Patricia Forde’s first picture book. The illustrator, Rachael Saunders is described as a rising star, and we can see why. 

Follow the illustrator on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_rachaelsaunders/

Last One To Die by Cynthia Murphy

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 6 Jan 2021

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Are you a teen who thrills to be terrified? This book is for you.
Promoted as “Point Horror for the social media generation” [The book is published by Scholastic]
We love the striking jacket design.

Young, brunette women are being attacked in London. 16-year-old, Irish-born Niamh has just arrived for a summer of freedom, and quickly discovers that the girls being attacked look frighteningly similar to her. Niamh is determined not to let her fear destroy her summer. But can her new friends be trusted? Will she be able to stay ahead of the attacker? Or will she be next? Packed with voice-driven whodunit storytelling, and a retro slasher-movie feel reminiscent of cult classics, this dark, pacy, and irresistibly-creepy debut really has something for everybody!

Last One to Die is a YA horror novel and you’ve mentioned that Point Horror has been a big influence for you. Can you tell us a bit more about your debut, and the inspiration behind it?

Last One to Die came about after a huge writing slump. I was actually trying to write something else when I started listening to a podcast called Lore and an episode about a creepy Victorian villain, Spring Heeled Jack. I had never heard of him, but it planted a little seed which I kept coming back to. I shelved what I was writing and started to brainstorm a teen horror. I have always been a huge fan of anything remotely scary so went and re-watched all of the classics from my teens – Scream, Final Destination, The Craft – and I knew that I wanted to write something scary but also fun. I wanted to recapture that feeling I had as a teen where I was thrilled to be terrified!

from Curtis Brown’s website

 

Stick Boy by Paul Coomey

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 4 Jan 2021
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It’s tough fitting in when you’re born to stick out!
From the moment Stick Boy and his family move to Little Town, there is way more to worry about than being the new kid. There’s a mysterious plot involving Baron Ben’s new Mega Mall, pop star Jonny Vidwire and the highly suspicious HomeBots that are infiltrating every home in town. Can Stick Boy and his friends uncover the evil plan behind it all before it’s too late?

Follow Paul Coomey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr.coomey/
The book has its own website: https://stickboy.tv

A peak inside:


 

Do Creatives Need Websites?

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There is ongoing debate about whether or not creatives need to have a web presence in addition to being on Twitter, Instagram and/or Facebook.

Many authors and illustrators have decided that their presence on social media is sufficient.

Some, who have had websites in the past, have let them crash and burn and seem to have no intention of resurrecting them.

For those who dislike social media, a website is really essential.

One of the troubles with websites is that they can so quickly go out of date, both in terms of content and design.

It is important that an author or illustrator retains control of their site, and that updates are easy to instigate.

There is no point in having a fancy and elaborate website that can only be appreciated on a laptop. A website needs to be mobile-friendly – just as functional on a mobile phone as on a full-size screen.

Many people assume having a website will involve high ongoing costs. Not so.

Annually renewing costs are limited to hosting and domain charges.

An author/illustrator site should cost no more than £50 a year to host and the domain name registration (usually free in the first year) will be a further £10. So that’s £60 a year, or just £5 a month.

A simple WordPress site is relatively straightforward to set up; much more so than it used to be. There are other options but I would strongly recommend WordPress.

Many people will like to have a little help with this initial setup. There are businesses that specialise in website design. Expect to pay upwards of £500 for bespoke design services.

But help can be found from freelancers for as little as £100. My own fee for WordPress setup ranges from £100 to £500, depending on requirements. Most of my freelance time is currently spent copyediting but I am always happy to help authors with website issues – updating an existing site, or starting one afresh. Reach out (as they say) if you need some advice.
[Other freelancers can be found on Upwork.com]

Isn't WordPress for bloggers?

Not any more, it isn’t. It’s a rich and highly versatile CMS – Content Management System. A WordPress website consists of a mix of Posts and Pages. The balance is entirely up to you. If you don’t want to blog, you don’t need to – your site can consist entirely of menu-related Pages.

So, for as little as £150 in the first year and £5 a month thereafter, you could have a professional and functional online presence.

It's a good time to take stock and decide. Ask yourself:
  • Do I need a website?
  • Is my current website fit for purpose?
  • Do I think an online presence is worth £5 a month?
  • Can I set something up myself with the help of YouTube videos?
  • Do I need the help of a freelancer?
  • Am I flush with funds and able to hire a design company?

An example of a WordPress site we like is that of Lucy Christopher:
https://www.lucychristopher.com

If you do not have a website currently,
or you have a site that is old and no longer fit-for-purpose,
take a moment to consider whether
a site like this would benefit your profile.

 

Happy News For 2021, Especially For Fans Of Hilary McKay

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AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Macmillan Children’s Books has just announced The Swallows’ Flight – the eagerly anticipated companion to Hilary McKay’s bestselling WWI novel, The Skylarks’ War. The Swallow’s Flight will publish in hardback on 27th May 2021. UK and Commonwealth rights were acquired from Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency.

The Skylarks’ War won the 2018 Costa Children’s Book of the Year Award, was selected as a Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month in January 2019, picked as The Times & The Sunday Times’ Children’s Book of the Year and was published to universal critical acclaim.

The Swallows’ Flight is a moving WWII story of family and friendship set on opposite sides of a devastating conflict.

Four ordinary lives connected by extraordinary circumstances, Hilary McKay’s stunning companion novel to the Costa Award-winning The Skylarks’ War features the next generation of characters as they move from childhood to the threshold of adulthood amid the chaos and conflict of the Second World War.

Erik and Hans admire swallows over the rooftops of Berlin, little thinking that one day they will be flying above England, risking their lives in a war they both detest. Ruby and Kate, great friends despite their differences, find themselves racing towards a danger that neither of them could possibly have imagined. Meanwhile Rupert and Clarry work secretly for peace – and a brighter future for them all . . .

Samantha Smith, Publisher, Publisher, Fiction, Non-Fiction and Picture Books, comments, ‘I couldn’t be more delighted to introduce Hilary’s new novel, which reunites us with many of the characters we fell in love with in The Skylarks’ War. This is a story of such hope, just the story we all need as we head towards summer 2021.’

The author talking about The Skylarks’ War

 

Hans Christian Andersen Nominees – the full list

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Sixty-two candidates from 33 countries have been nominated for the 2022 Hans Christian Andersen Award.
 
     Argentina: Author María Cristina Ramos; Illustrator Gusti
     Australia: Author Margaret Wild; Illustrator Tohby Riddle
     Austria: Author Heinz Janisch; Illustrator Linda Wolfsgruber
     Belgium: Author Thomas Lavachery; Illustrator Carll Cneut
     Brazil: Author Marina Colasanti; Illustrator Nelson Cruz
     Canada: Author Angèle Delaunois; Illustrator Sydney Smith
     China: Author Jin Bo; Illustrator Xiong Liang
     Colombia & Venezuela: Illustrator Ivar Da Coll
     Croatia: Illustrator Dubravka Kolanović
     Cyprus: Author Anna Kouppanou; Illustrator Dora Oronti
     Estonia: Author Andrus Kivirähk; Illustrator Piret Raud
     France: Author Marie-Aude Murail; Illustrator Gilles Bachelet
     Germany: Author Andreas Steinhöfel; Illustrator Nikolaus Heidelbach
     Greece: Author Maria Papayanni; Illustrator Iris Samartzi
     Hungary: Author András Dániel; Illustrator László Herbszt
     Iran: Author Jamshid Khanian; Illustrator Pejman Rahimizadeh
     Italy: Author Roberto Piumini; Illustrator Beatrice Alemagna
     Japan: Author Joko Iwase; Illustrator Ryoji Arai
     Republic of Korea: Author Yi Hyeon; Illustrator Suzy Lee
     Latvia: Illustrator Aleksejs Naumovs
     Lebanon: Author Fatima Sharafeddine; Illustrator Sinan Hallak
     Lithuania: Illustrator Kestutis Kasparavičius
     Netherlands: Author Tonke Dragt; Illustrator Sylvia Weve
     Poland: Author Marcin Szczygielski; Illustrator Iwona Chmielewska
     Russia: Author Sergey Makhotin; Illustrator Julja Gukova
     Slovenia: Author Peter Svetina; Illustrator Damijan Stepančič
     Spain: Author Jordi Sierra i Fabra; Illustrator Elena Odriozola
     Sweden: Author Annika Thor; Illustrator Anna Bengtsson
     Switzerland: Author Franz Hohler; Illustrator Catherine Louis
     Turkey: Author Behiç Ak; Illustrator Mustafa Delioğlu
     Ukraine: Author Halyna Malyk; Illustrator Kost Lavro
     United Kingdom: Author Marcus Sedgwick; Illustrator David McKee
     USA: Author Linda Sue Park; Illustrator Kadir Nelson

The Shortlist will be announced in January 2022 and the Winners at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in March/April 2022.