Category: Illustrators

Announcements, authors, Books, Cover reveals, Illustrators, News

Cover reveal for our fabulous Christmas title!

christmaspresspicturebooks

A Toy Christmas Cover Final-jpegWe’re delighted to reveal the gorgeous cover for our Christmas title, A Toy Christmas, which will be released on November 10. That beautiful cover illustration is by Fiona McDonald, design by Beattie Alvarez and David Allan.

Compiled and edited by award-winning author Sophie Masson, this fabulous anthology of new, original seasonal tales, written by some of Australia’s most talented authors, both established and emerging, features the special magic of toys at Christmas. Illustrated in full colour, this is the perfect book to snuggle up with in the festive season—and well beyond!

With an introduction by Sophie Masson.

Featuring:

Natalie Jane Prior—Meredith Costain—Michael Grey—Fiona McDonald—Juliet Marillier–Anna Bell–Ian Irvine—Kathy Creamer—George Ivanoff—Goldie Alexander—David Allan—Rebecca Fung—Beattie Alvarez.

Have a look here at what Natalie Jane Prior, has said on her blog about the experience of writing The Dolls’ Nativity, her story for the anthology.

Book details:

ISBN 9780994234063

RRP: $24.99

Format: Large Paperback

Page extent: 96 pages, illustrated in full colour

 

Announcements, authors, celebrations, Events, Illustrators, New releases

Celebration of Two Tales of Brothers from Ancient Mesopotamia

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Absolutely fantastic event last night at Walcha Gallery of Art, celebrating John Heffernan and Kate Durack’s gorgeous book with Christmas Press, Two Tales of Brothers from Ancient Mesopotamia. The evening featured a great exhibition of Kate’s original art from the book and a fabulous talk by John about the experience of writing the book, and the extraordinary Epic of Gilgamesh, which is the source of the stories he retold. The big,enthusiastic crowd just loved it and all the stock of books went in a flash!

Fiona McDonald and Sophie Masson represented Christmas Press at the celebration, and had a lovely time!
Thank you to the Walcha Gallery of Art, Reader’s Companion, and everyone who helped make this such a great event. And congratulations to that fantastically creative duo, John Heffernan and Kate Durack.

authors, Books, celebrations, Illustrators, Launches, New releases

From a modern war zone comes an ancient tale..

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From the Advocate (Walcha):

John Heffernan has a new picture book out, illustrated by local artist Kate Durack. Two Tales of Brothers from Ancient Mesopotamia tells two pivotal stories from the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest tales ever written. “These are stories of great warriors and grand battles from the mists of time,” says John Heffernan. “And yet they are set around an area that has recently seen some of the most brutal fighting in the Middle East, Syria and Iraq. To me there is something disturbingly timeless about that.”

The book has only been published a few weeks but has already had three glowing reviews, including a Highly Recommended from Reading Time, the magazine of the Children’s Book Council of Australia. “I can’t claim any credit for that,” John insists. “Gilgamesh is already a thumping good yarn, pumped with action; I’ve only had to re-tell it. Kate’s visuals are what lift this book to that special level. I hope everyone in Walcha will have a look at it.”

And everyone can have a look. The book will be launched at the Walcha Gallery of Art on Friday June 17th at 6.30pm, along with an exhibition of drawings and paintings by Kate. Author and publisher Sophie Masson will launch the book, Kate will say a few words, and John will give a short reading. Copies will be available for sale and signing.

As an added bonus, there will also be an exhibition of works by Stephen King: TO BIRDSVILLE AND BACK.

Two Tales of Brothers from Ancient Mesopotamia is published by Christmas Press.

ISBN 978-0-99423-404-9  RRP $19.99launch brothers

Announcements, authors, Books, celebrations, Illustrators, New releases

Publication week for Two Tales of Brothers from Ancient Mesopotamia!

christmaspresspicturebooks

Two Tales of Brothers cover higher resIt’s a celebration! This week sees the publication of our latest picture book: Two Tales of Brothers from Ancient Mesopotamia, written by John Heffernan and illustrated by Kate Durack. It’s a gorgeous book, with John’s lively retellings of two stories from the Epic of Gilgamesh, interpreted by Kate’s striking pictures that are influenced both by ancient Mesopotamian art and the dynamic power of graphic novels. Congratulations to John and Kate on a stunning book, and may it find many, many readers!

Two Tales of Brothers from Ancient Mesopotamia  also represents something of a landmark for us. With our trademark pairing of established author and emerging illustrator, it’s our tenth published title and the sixth title in our ‘Two Tales’ series of picture books that has formed the backbone of  our publishing list since 2013.

We will be showcasing the book at some great events this week and next: at the Society of Women Writers’ lunch function at the State Library of NSW on May 11, where one of our founding directors, Sophie Masson, will be giving the keynote address and speaking about the history and development of Christmas Press; and at the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s conference, at the Menzies Hotel in Sydney on May 19-21.

John and Kate will be at the CBCA conference on Saturday May 21 to sign books–even if you aren’t coming to the conference, you can still come into the bookshop and trade display area to get your copy and have it signed!   kate durackJohn Heffernan author pic

Announcements, authors, Books, Illustrators, News

Our upcoming picture book title

christmaspresspicturebooks

Two Tales of Brothers cover higher resWe are delighted to present advance information about our upcoming new picture book title, Two Tales of Brothers from Ancient Mesopotamia, by John Heffernan and Kate Durack, coming out in mid-May. It’s our tenth published title, and the sixth title in our ‘Two Tales’ series.

Two Tales of Brothers from Ancient Mesopotamia

Retold by John Heffernan

Illustrated by Kate Durack

Published by Christmas Press

May 13, 2016

Hardcover, A4 size

ISBN: 9780994234049

RRP: $19.99

The ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia, located in what is now Iraq, Syria and Kuwait, produced one of the world’s great heroic sagas, the Epic of Gilgamesh.

In this exciting, lively retelling, popular author John Heffernan brings two stories from the Epic to engaging life for young readers, while new illustrator Kate Durack’s striking illustrations, inspired by Ancient Mesopotamian art, superbly illuminate the mythical world of the heroic brothers.

John Heffernan is a well-known, award-winning Australian author who has written for children and teenagers in a variety of genres and styles, from picture books to young adult novels, reality to fantasy.

Born and raised in Brisbane, artist and illustrator Kate Durack lived and worked in Sydney and Malaysia before moving to the regional NSW town of Walcha, where she now lives. Her work has featured in several exhibitions. Two Tales of Brothers from Mesopotamia is her first picture book.

Announcements, Awards, Books, Illustrators

Congratulations, Ingrid!

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wolfskin and huntressCongratulations to wonderful illustrator Ingrid Kallick, whose gorgeous illustration for Charlotte McConaghy’s story, Wolfskin and the Huntress, in our Once Upon A Christmas anthology(edited and compiled by Beattie Alvarez, published 2014) has just won the Society of Illustrators (USA) Bronze Medal for Children’s Illustration! It has also been chosen to feature in the Society of Illustrators’ big show in Los Angeles.

We are absolutely delighted!

Once Upon a Christmas front cover