Author Zeb Soanes first mentioned a possible Christmas book several years ago, a touching tale with real heart. How wonderful that this week it came to fruition as “Gaspard’s Christmas”, the 4th title in the Gaspard The Fox series, illustrated by me.
As it turned out, I was illustrating snowy London streets in the Summer, but I loved this heartwarming tale of a homeless man with a snowy white beard, on Christmas Eve… he is discovered by Gaspard, who is out snuffling for food scraps. But can a cold hungry urban fox save a freezing man? With a little help – maybe he can! A story full of kindness and thoughtful themes, it was fitting it should be launched at the crypt of St-Martin-In-The-Fields, whose homeless charity will benefit, in perpetuity, from the royalties from this book. As Zeb says:
“Nearly 100 years ago, JM Barrie gifted his Peter Pan royalties to @GreatOrmondSt. This inspired us to make @SMITFCharity benefit from sales of GASPARD’S CHRISTMAS in perpetuity, helping people across the UK out of homelessness. Give a gift that does a little good this Christmas.”
The book launched opened with a performance of a new Christmas Carol – “Christmas Is Here” with words by Zeb Soanes and music by the great Jonathan Dove. This was an extract from the new concert work by Jonathan, an adaptation for narrator and orchestra, commissioned by the Royal Scottish National orchestra, and to be premiered in Glasgow and Edinburgh this Christmas. Zeb will be narrating and I’ll be painting live!
For information on tickets, visit: https://www.rsno.org.uk/liveevent/gaspards-christmas/
My contribution to the evening was a quick live drawing of Gaspard, which was auctioned off to raise further funds for the homeless.
Jonathan and the RSNO have previously collaborated on “Gaspard’s Foxtrot”, which reached thousands of Scottish school children over the last two years.
You can see a bit about that here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRk8wEeRQZs&t=3s
“Gaspard’s Christmas” is available from all good bookshops, in real life, and online. Signed copies can be purchased from the gift shop in The Crypt at St-Martin-In-The-Fields, just off Trafalgar Square.
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