Congratulations to Anthony Browne

Congratulations to Anthony Browne who has become the latest Children's Laureate. Anthony Browne is one of the greatest and surely best-loved illustrators of the modern era, whose books are known throughout the world and whose artwork hugely admired.

I have been very fortunate to have known him through a family connection with publishing since I was a child, and first recall meeting him sipping tea around our kitchen table at home in what I then considered to be a distinctly gorilla-like fashion.

Since starting ‘the cupboard’ in ‘95 he has always been an enthusiastic supporter and I am delighted to have worked with Anthony for over a decade representing him with his original artwork at our events and exhibitions. We all wish him every success in the task ahead, and confident that his informative discussion and all-encompassing charm will herald a successful and rewarding stewardship of this post.

Shaun Tan in London

With the advent of The Ashes test cricket series only weeks away Australians are very much in the field of play this summer. As befitting this forthcoming sporting event we were excited by the prospect of the book-launch and evening reception for Shaun Tan. This rapidly rising star is proving to be a veritable Dennis Lilee of the book illustration world and as such is taking the globe by storm.

Having just completed his run-up with a tour of the US, Shaun arrived at the crease hot-foot from a sun-soaked Hay Festival book signing and was no less mobbed at our evening reception. Courtesy of Hodder Children’s Books and Templar Publishing the chilled drinks circulated and the crowd spilled out on to Bury St. in a carnival atmosphere. With perfect delivery Shaun spoke a few well-chosen words to the hushed and expectant crowd, and backed-up well in exemplary fashion fielding a lengthy queue of visitors keen to spend a few moments with this talented and engaging artist.

Although the over came all too soon, and now basking back in the pavilion of a Western Australian winter we have continued by turning a brief match into an ongoing series - Shaun kindly produced four original pastels for us (£1250) based on his published books, as well as producing a selection of fine limited giclée editions (£295) which are hanging in the main gallery here at Bury St. until 21 June. These can be viewed or purchased directly from our website at www.illustrationcupboard.com. Signed first editions of the latest book Tales from Outer Suburbia are also available for £12.99. Without having to labour a silly point these represent a terrific bargain.

(Above: Shaun Tan chats with Shirley Hughes at the reception photo courtesy of Mara Ferreri)

Summers' arrived.

Linda Summers: It was with much pleasure that I attended a select and enjoyable evening reception last night celebrating Linda Summers' retirement from Random House Children's Books. I have known Linda for a large percentage of my life and she has been a loyal, trusted and terrific family friend throughout these many years. There is little that can be added to the words spoken by Julia MacRae and Philippa Dickinson save to say that there a handful of people without whom the IC would not be basking on sunny Bury St today; Linda is one of them. On more than one occasion I have bribed her with dreadful cooking and embarrassingly lukewarm chardonnay to sit around my kitchen table and stuff thousands of envelopes, not what one would normally ask of one of the most respected associate publishers in the industry. Thank you Linda. Needless to say there was an impressive turnout of friends, colleagues, artists and writers and I enjoyed catching up with those I know and meeting those I didn't. In the erudite publishing atmosphere I considerably improved my sketchy grasp of English grammar and am now relishing my new editorial knowledge of ellipses . Manzanilla is served at 11am ...

March hares and tea-parties - our review of the Budget.

As we know only too well for fiscal calendars April is the end of one year and the start of the next and as such it is the time for the government's annual budget announcement. No surprise then that it is a time associated with mad March hares and April fools. Little seems to have altered this year amidst the global economic meltdown save a remarkable co-incidence with our own schedule at the gallery.

I couldn't help but notice as I passed by the newsstand outside the Ritz a witty post-budget tabloid headline which read Alistair in Wonderland. This made me chuckle as I opened the doors on our own exhibition of artwork for the newly published version of the book to which this alludes. In stark contrast to the fanciful machination of the chancellor, JohnVernon Lord's artwork for this exquisite publication by Artists' Choice Editions is a masterpiece.

Top of his game and deservedly regarded as one of the great illustrators of our generation John's illustrations are truly worth the journey to visit to this exhibition. The elegance of the line drawing is almost musical, and the sophistication of interpretation of such a popular book can only be regarded as unrivalled. Of particular interest is the textual blue highlight of Alice's speech throughout the story, and coupled with the somewhat unusual feature that Alice does not appear until the final page-spread all contribute to this being a throroughly original chapter in the canon of Alices. It goes without saying that we have had a stream of enthused visitors pouring through the gallery doors since our tea-party on the 21st. Perhaps Mr Darling should heed some advice and not try to paint white roses red, or it may be off with his head.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, published by Artists' Choice Editions:
Sold exclusively through The Illustration Cupboard these beautifully crafted books are limited to 280 copies at £68, or the lavishly produced slip-case editions with leather bindings (60 copies only) at £260. These latter rarities feature the endpapers on the casing and include two of John's limited edition engravings of which one is beautifully hand-coloured. All the books are signed and numbered by the artist and would make an ideal special gift or welcome addition to any serious collection.

Cards on the table

McKee Oils

Along with the first rays of spring David McKee's exhibition of landscapes still-lifes and portraits brought the warmth of southern french colour bursting in to Bury St. The skill and ability of David's oil painting is astonishing and has received great favour from a swathe of intrigued visitors, no less than the great colourist herself Bridget Riley who reportedly came by.

Has this focus on fine art prevented David from writing and illustrating his best-selling books? Publisher Klaus Flugge may think so, and is pictured here quietly throttle his leading writer as he signs copies of Elmer.... time to get back to the books maybe!

A Noisy Event

A great pleasure to launch our new year festivities with a noisy start for the launch of the new book written by Sue Eves, The Quiet Woman and the Noisy Dog. Far from barking up the wrong tree the gallery was packed with supporters, enthusiasts and even pet dogs. We wish Sue every success with the new book and in eager anticipation of her next best seller for Andersen Press we can but paws for breath.

The Great Blizzard of ' 09

It is not often that I allow myself the luxury of walking to the gallery on a Monday morning, and less common to find myself shin-deep amongst fresh powder snow in St James's Park. However these are strange days and rare times which future generations will reverently refer to as the' the great blizzard of '09'.

With the inspiration of the great Captain Oates in mind, I was indeed 'sometime' in arriving at my destination. It was nonetheless a very pleasant journey witnessed by a fine array of recently constructed snowmen adorning the snow-cloaked avenues of Hyde Park. I was however slightly disconcerted to be overtaken on no less than two occasions, once by a downhill skier sporting a fine pair of carving skis crossing the cricket pitch in Holland Park, and latterly by a snowboarder who narrowly missed me as I passed by Buckingham Palace.

A somewhat unusual morning.