Finally I can show you this: the cover for my new book, ‘My Dead Bunny’.
Written by debut author Sigi Cohen and published by Walker Books Australia, ‘My Dead Bunny’ will stink up bookstores from October 1st.
More info coming soon.
Category: books
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.
Continue reading “How to make Viking costumes for kids (or grown-ups)”
Evolution of a scene: the final version of ‘Big Trouble’
Last week I posted the roughs for this scene from The Last Viking Returns. This post will show how I got from my almost-final rough to my final illustration.
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Evolution of a scene: the rough sketches for ‘Big Trouble’
There’s a scene in The Last Viking Returns called ‘Big Trouble’ where Fafnir the dragon is finally revealed in all his terrible glory. The scene went through a lot of changes during development, so I thought I’d share them here.
It’s a lot of pics though so I’ll share them in two parts. This post will show you the roughs, and next week’s post will show how the final illustration was put together.
(And if you haven’t read the book yet, there’s a few SPOILERS below.)
Continue reading “Evolution of a scene: the rough sketches for ‘Big Trouble’”
The Last Viking Returns out now
My new children’s book The Last Viking Returns is finally out!
Written by Norman Jorgensen, it’s the sequel to The Last Viking. Here’s the official synopsis:
Josh is still as brave as a Viking warrior, and not much can scare a Viking … but the two littlest Vikings have grown up a bit since the first book, and they’re going berserk. They think they’re invincible, and that spells trouble!
When Pop takes the family to Viking World, Josh finds out just how far he’ll go to keep them safe.
You can find The Last Viking Returns at your local bookstore and online.
Hit the link for more photos from the official launches!
Reviews for The Last Viking Returns
We’ve had a few more reviews filter through – one for The Last Viking Returns and a belated but very welcome one for The Last Viking.
THE LAST VIKING RETURNS
“A very humorous account of two worlds colliding: the mortal and the Viking Asgard. Young Josh, alias Knut, must look after his younger twin siblings at the Viking theme park but Odin and the other Viking gods get caught up in the problem that occurs when the twins go berserk …
Not only is the simple story full of action but the full colour animated spreads further make this book an exciting adventure for the reader. The front end paper brings the theme park alive with its keyed map while the back end paper offers a runic alphabet and code for the more advanced reader. This landscape production will be a sure winner with young readers up to middle primary and perhaps beyond.” – John Cohen, the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Reading Time blog
THE LAST VIKING
“This is an intricately crafted picture book of the highest quality. A CBCA Notable Book in 2012, it manages to both entertain and inspire, while touching on issues ranging from childhood fears and bullying to the power of myth and storytelling. Josh’s creativity as he builds a Viking longship is a joy to behold. His bravery in the face of terror as he marches out to confront a pack of bullying children is formidable. And the way in which his problems are resolved is delightful.
There’s a lovely wry humour running throughout this book that will give parents a great deal of enjoyment too. And I absolutely loved the way the illustrations are allowed to tell entire chunks of the story. In fact, I pretty much loved everything about this book, which is why I can’t wait for the sequel.” –Anouska Jones, Kids’ Book Review
The Last Viking Returns is out now!
Find it at your local bookshop or order it online.
Designing Viking World – the entrance gate
There’s only a fortnight until the release of The Last Viking Returns on Sept 1st! This is my last behind-the-scenes post before then.
I’ve been focusing on one of the main settings in the book – a theme park called Viking World. There’s a moment early in the book where the family arrives at the park for the first time, and I wanted Josh to have a sense of awe. The text only says “Wow”, so I was free to fill in the rest.
My first sketch looked like this. Not terribly impressive, not awe-inspiring at all, but it helped me to figure out what goes where.
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Designing Viking World – the visitor map
There’s only 3 (!) weeks until the release of The Last Viking Returns on September 1, and I’ve got a couple more behind-the-scenes things to show.
I’ve been focusing on one of the main settings in the book – a theme park called Viking World. I had to figure out the rough layout of the park early on so that I could map the journey made by Pop, Josh and the family. I also wanted to make the backgrounds of each illustration consistent with the map so that the reader could really believe in the fictional setting.
The Last Viking Returns – official launch details
My new book The Last Viking Returns will be in bookshops from September 1, and we’re throwing a huge launch party to celebrate.
You’ll be able to see original artwork from The Last Viking Returns, meet the author Norman Jorgensen and I, and you might even meet some real Viking warriors.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Here’s the details:
The Last Viking Returns
To be launched by Mrs Tonya McCusker
Wednesday 10th September
6pm for a 6:30pm start
The Place, State Library of WA
25 Francis St, Perth
DRESS CODE: Leather, sheepskin and horned helmets.
(You may be asked to leave your weaponry at the door).
RSVP by 5th September to (08) 9430 6331 or admin@fremantlepress.com.au
THE LAST VIKING RETURNS is a thrilling showdown
Here’s a fantastic review for The Last Viking Returns from today’s Weekend Australian (Review section, pg.22).
The Last Viking Returns is a sequel to one of our favourite books of 2012, the inspirational The Last Viking.
Author Norman Jorgensen and illustrator James Foley reacquaint us with young Josh (who, a braver boy now, calls himself Knut) and his little dog Wolverine (still wearing a colander helmet).
When Josh’s grandfather decides to take them to a Viking theme park for the day, the god Thor, watching from Asgard, decides to pop down to earth and join in the fun. “What could possibly go wrong?” he asks … The answer is Fafnir, “the most evil dragon imaginable”, who has been waiting for Thor to let his hair down.
The resulting showdown between boy, dog, god and fire-breathing beast is thrilling.
Thanks to Stephen Romei and his co-reviewer Syd for the review.
