Author: James Foley

James Foley makes children’s books for children who read books. If you’re a child and you’re eating his books, you’re doing it wrong. His books include the Secret Agent Mole graphic novel series, the S.Tinker Inc graphic novel series, and the multi-award winning Stellarphant. James lives in Perth with his wife, 2 kids, and a labrador. He is a massive Marvel movie nerd and comes from a long line of queuing enthusiasts. Follow him on socials ( @jamesfoleybooks ) or at www.jamesfoley.com.au .

Quokka- Sculptures by the Sea (Cottesloe)

The annual Sculptures by the Sea exhibition is on now at Cottesloe Beach.

Quokka, issue 710, March 18 2010- Sculptures by the Sea (Cottesloe)

Art fans may recognise the sculptures: Michaelangelo’s David, Rodin’s The Thinker, the Venus de Milo, and Myron’s Discobolus.

The original draft for this cover had a pop culture reference that didn’t quite fit:

“You finally did it, you maniacs!”

Quokka- dealership

Those who follow the news in Perth will remember hearing about a doctor living here in Perth whose yellow lamborghini was impounded for 28 days under the  ‘Hoon laws’. Problem was, he wasn’t driving it at the time it was caught speeding- his mechanic was. The doctor said he needed his car back for home visits.

For a laugh, the original sketch for this cover had ‘1DOC.123’ on the license plate, and the sign said ‘One previous owner’. Some friends suggested having a mechanic hiding in the background, perhaps running from some quokka policemen. Quokka covers steer away from politics, so those details didn’t make it to the final version… but I’m glad the lamborghini stayed ( it was fun to draw).

Whenever I put a license plate in I like to make it meaningful – the numbers often relate to the birthdays of family and friends. In this cover, the license plate 1LEA.603′ is for my friend Lea, who’s birthday is this weekend on the 6th of March. Happy Birthday!

Quokka, issue 708, March 4 2010- dealership

Do you know your Very Hungry Caterpillar from your Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge?

So you think you know picture books?

Here’s your chance to prove it. The Children’s Book Council of Australia (WA Branch) has a great event coming up- the inaugural BooKwiz.

It’s a children’s book-based quiz in the style of  Spicks and Specks. There’ll be local authors and illustrators on the panels, but you’ll get to join in too with your own team. Details below- the CBCA(WA) commissioned me to design the flyer…

Bookwiz final