“It rained…”
The opening words of Jackie Morris’ book Mrs. Noah’s Pockets, published by Otter-Barry Books, could not have been more apt. For rain it did, in bucket loads.
We were at the Edinburgh Book Festival to launch the book, although it would have made more sense to launch an ark! But it is always such a joy to be in magnificent Edinburgh, and the friendly, warm welcome quickly reminded me why I love this city and this book festival so much.
Jackie and I shared the stage, gently teasing (in every sense) out the story of how we met, created first Can You See A Little Bear and then eventually this new title. I also explained how my designs for a production of Britten’s opera Noye’s Fludde led me to try a whole new way of illustrating, using lino cuts and collage.
I then demonstrated, with Jackie’s assistance, how the images were constructed from many bits of paper, and made this dragon with music in his wings…
Clearly Alastair, aged 8, was inspired, as his mother sent me a snap of these marvellous monsters created after he got home from the festival… wonderful to see!
At last the sun came out (if there was rainbow, I missed it) and at the book signing, I carefully hand printed an original lino cut, created for the book, in every copy – again with Jackie’s assistance, for my recently broken wrist is still quite vulnerable, alas.
We were also thrilled to see Iranian illustrator Ehsan Abdollahi there, whose presence at the festival represented a triumph of determination, for he faced a monumental series hurdles to get a visa, only granted after a major public outcry here in the UK. His books When I Coloured the World, and Bottle of Happiness are unmissable.
A few evenings earlier I was honoured to join panel with Ehsan and Beverly Naidoo, and his gorgeous publisher, Tiny Owl, to discuss the importance of cultural exchange and diversity in books, at the House of Illustration. It was an important evening and I felt incredibly honoured to meet Ehsan (who signed his books for me) and all the panellists. We were all presented with a knitted “Tiny Owl” – a lovely touch from these lovely people.
I was also able to catch up with Linda McClelland at the National Galleries – we’ll be collaborating in December (see the events listing). All in all, a memorable few days, many miles travelled, old friendships renewed, new friendships made and books celebrated.
My sincere thanks to Janetta Otter-Barry for being there to support and for publishing this book and Jackie herself for this magnificent, inspirational, perfect text. I hope Mrs Noah floats off and has many adventures and finds many new friends herself!
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