Here’s some Katie news! In advance of the big celebrations for her 25th anniversary next year, I have chosen to revise and re-illustrate the first title: Katie’s Picture Show. This was my very first book and in my day, there were no courses in children’s book illustration. I was so inexperienced! Orchard Books kindly led me by the hand, but I was learning on the job, and I have always looked back at that very first book and thought: “if I had my time again”.
And so next year a newly illustrated edition of this classic title – which has been firmly in print for a quarter of a century – will be published. It feels like an ideal way to celebrate the anniversary.
ALL the books will be reissued gradually throughout the year, with new cover designs and in a sumptuous new larger format.
HOWEVER that’s only the beginning. Plans are falling into place for events at the National Galleries in London and Edinburgh. The Scottish gallery will host a major exhibition of original Katie art in October 2014, to coincide with the publication of the new book, Katie’s London Christmas.
And now… DRUM ROLL … big news for schools and teachers.
For WORLD BOOK DAY you can WIN a most unusual prize:
ME!
Orchard books, together with the World Book Day organisation are hosting a major competition open to all UK schools. The brief is simple – we want to see how creatively YOU can respond to the art in the Katie books. Maybe you can create paintings, stories, installations, a theatre show. There is no limit to how big or small your entry is. You can submit pictures, books, films anything you like. I will be choosing the winner, and I’m looking for the school that I think will make me the most welcome on World Book Day.
World Book Day is March 6th. So keep it free if you want me to visit your school and tell stories and paint pictures for free!
Oh and a handy tip if you really want to win me over. World Book Day 2014 is the day before my 50th birthday!
So I want to celebrate Katie and my own landmark.
FULL DETAILS ARE ONLINE HERE:
http://www.worldbookday.com/competitions/katie/
So teachers! children! GET THINKING!
2014 is the year of Katie!
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