Subscribers of my email newsletter The James Foley-O will know that I have a new book coming out in October. It’s about a pet rabbit that dies and comes back from the dead as a zombie; it’s called My Dead Bunny. It’s written by Sigi Cohen and published by Walker Books Australia. I’m busting to show you the cover! I’ll reveal more in the next couple of months. In the meantime, here’s some pictures of other zombie animals …
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Making a marionette
Late last year I was feeling overworked; firstly I was working too hard, but secondly I wasn’t doing anything creative just for myself. Then along came an opportunity to do something different … Spare Parts Puppet Theatre was running a 6 week marionette-making course.
Spare Parts is an incredible company that creates original puppetry productions; they’ve also adapted quite a few children’s books for the stage over the years. They’re based in my hometown of Fremantle, and I remember seeing some of their shows as a kid. I signed up for the course straight away.
Room To Read’s World Change Challenge 2015
I’ve recently become a writer-ambassador for an NGO called Room To Read, who (along with kids’ author Tristan Bancks) is running a campaign called the World Change Challenge.
The aim is to raise money for school children in Nepal.
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How to make a picture book in a day
Narrogin Primary School kids are creative legends. Last August I got to hang out with 20 of them, making a picture book in a day.
Impossible! I hear you cry. What form of sorcery is this? It cannot be done! Well, we did do it, and here’s how.
How to make Viking costumes for kids (or grown-ups)
I made some kid-size Viking costumes for my talk at the Perth Writers’ Festival. Here’s how.
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Making a mural at the Perth Writers Festival
The Perth Writers Festival is over for another year. The weekend goes by so quick! I was very happy to be back this year as a presenter on the schools’ day and family day, and this year I also got to work on something a bit different – a massive mural.
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How to survive as an illustrator: advice for a student
Once or twice a year I get an email from an illustration student. They usually have an assignment to write, which requires them to ask a professional illustrator about their work. I got one of these emails last week, asking me for advice on how I got started, how I survive in the industry and how I self-promote. This is my reply.
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The Little Girl Giant and her giant picture book
If you live in Perth in Western Australia, you couldn’t have missed the buzz about The Giants back in February. For three days, giant marionettes walked the streets of the city with over a million people turning up to welcome them. I was excited just to see the Giants, but even more excited for the Little Girl Giant to finally receive the enormous picture book I helped out with.
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Perth Writers’ Festival sessions, and advice from Andy Griffiths
I first presented at the Perth Writers’ Festival in 2013. I sat on a signing table next to Andy Griffiths. And this year I’m back for more sessions about my latest book, The Last Viking Returns.
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How to make a book for a Giant
This year’s Perth International Arts Festival will see a 6 metre-tall girl walking down St George’s Terrace. She’s called ‘the Little Girl Giant’, and as part of her visit she’ll receive an enormous book from the children of the City of Perth. I helped schoolkids produce some art for the book. More details on the Giants and the book below.
James Foley 