Saturday 11 November 2017

Happiness is...

Through Albury Books’ streamlined 
Print-On-Demand publishing platform,
the Albury BookShelf, Rockpool Children’s Books 
are able to keep all of their extensive list available and in print, 
whilst retaining access to a host of more advanced print 
options and a global market-place.
This means that we have more time to focus on what we love - developing quality,
 inspiring, well-designed children’s books in all formats, 
richly diverse in both stories and illustration 
that can be enjoyed by children of all ages. 
Our books are available 24/7, globally.
 
 

Friday 20 October 2017

 

 Mining Art Gallery

After months in the making, the Mining Art Gallery opens on 
Saturday 21 October. It will transform the former 
Old Bank Chambers in Bishop Auckland Market Place, 
providing a permanent home for the North East’s largest 
collection of Mining Art.
With three permanent galleries and one temporary exhibition 
space on the ground floor, the gallery explores working life in the 
coalmines through original artefacts and artwork 
from prominent mining artists such as Tom McGuinness 
and Norman Cornish. Using powerful imagery, the downstairs galleries 
will help visitors to understand what it felt like to work in the 
claustrophobic coalmines and shed light on why some 
miners felt it necessary to paint this dark and clamorous world. 
The upstairs galleries celebrate the diversity and strength 
of mining communities, through the stark 
contrast of riotous colour at Gala Day and the rich lives 
led by miners in their time above ground.
The Mining Art Gallery shares the experience of life 
underground and life in the community through eyes of 
the people who lived it. 
The Gemini Collection, now in its permanent home, 
is an artistic record of an industry and a memorial 
to a former way of life. 
The work displayed showcases the skill and creativity 
of these labourers and celebrates the achievements of 
the mining artists as a vital aspect of coalfield heritage.

Available in the Mining Art Gallery shop is Derek Slater's book
The Coal Mine, published by Rockpool Children's Books.

Opening times and more information can be found via this link:

Thursday 19 October 2017

Rockpool Albury Bookshelf Ad


Rockpool Albury Bookshelf Ad


Rockpool Ad

Rockpool Albury Ad


Rockpool Albury Bookshelf


Rockpool Albury Bookshelf 
School Librarian Ad


Dual Language

Along with French versions of Rockpool's books, 
dual language books are now also becoming available 
throught the Rockpool Albury Bookshelf.
We've started with the Hippo books. 
French is available now, German is on it's way.





Maisey und die Piraten

Yep, that's right, 
we're publishing Sam Walshaws, 
Maisey and the Pirates - The Sea Monster,
in German on the Rockpool Albury Bookshelf.
Translated by Scarlett author Isabelle Marinov, it'll be
available in November 2017.


Fluke&Tash


Privileged to be the illustrator 
of Mark Elvy's 
Fluke & Tash books. 
Fun adventures as this intrepid pair travel 
through time on their magical time travelling suitcase!
Four books in the series...so far!



Thursday 6 July 2017

A new picture book from Sam Walshaw

A new picture book is coming in August
from the pen and Brush of Sam Walshaw.
It's the first book for a while from Sam,
author and illustrator of Maisey and the Pirates,
Little Fairies, Minnie the Minnow and Lulubell
and we at Rockpool Children's Books are
looking forward to it very much!

It will be available on the 


Scarlett and the Snail

Once, there was a little snail
who desperately wanted to fall in love.
“I wonder what love feels like
….could it be as good as nibbling
on a juicy leaf all day?” he thought.
Just then, he saw a lovely snail with
a brilliant red shell that
was as glossy as a cherry.

Wonderful picture book written by
Isabelle Marinov
and illustrated by
Sam Walshaw

Available through the 
in August. 





Saturday 15 April 2017

Maisey and the Pirates - The Sea Monster




The Purple Pop-eyed Pirate eating Sea Monster loves 
Sam Walshaw's 'Maisey and the Pirates - The Sea Monster' book 
so much...he's already chomping his way through them!
The good news is there's still plenty of unchewed ones 
still available on the Rockpool Albury Bookshelf! 
In fact that's the beauty of Rockpool Albury Print-on-Demand, 
there's an unlimited supply!
It's another fantastic picture book from Sam as, 
with map in hand, Maisey and the Pirates set sail to find
lots of lovely, shiny, treasure.
But watch out!
Something big, purple, and very, very, grumpy
is heading their way.
But, happily, all is not what it seems!



Friday 14 April 2017

Derek Slater - Painter - The Coal Mine



The Coal Miner has a history of working in a job which was arduous, 
dangerous and unhealthy, yet their contribution 
to so many aspects of life 
in coal mining communities and beyond is immeasurable.
Being employed in the mining industry for over 25 years, 
my interest in the portrayal of the pitman at work in different eras 
made it an obvious choice for my paintings. 
The cramped and hazardous conditions are a source of 
my endeavour to capture the miner in his working environment.
My interest in coal mining art is also well documented 
by pitmen painters in the North East such as Tom McGuinness, 
Oliver Kilbourn from the Ashington Group, 
Bob Olley and Norman Cornish. 
However it was also an inspiration for artists such as J.M.W.Turner, 
Sir Frank Brangwyn, Josef Herman, L.S. Lowry, 
Henry Moore and Keith Vaughan.


 

Rockpool 2017 Catalogue


A PDF of Rockpool Children's Books Catalogue is available on
the 'ABOUT' page of the website. Lot's of books, lot's of pictures,
and lot's of info....before you look at the catalogue you could 
have a look at the website too while you're there!


 

The LFF Colouring & Activity Story Book


Barcelona, Valencia, Swansea, Partick Thistle, 
Blythe Spartans, Sheffield Utd, Liverpool, Ferryhill Celtic....
whoever you support the brilliance of 
the Little Football Fan Colouring & Activity-Story Book 
is that you can colour the little football fan's strip, in the book,
in your team colours. It's an any team in the world book!
There's also a nice story, written by Mark Williams, plus activities
to test your skills of observation.
Note: As it is a colouring book, it is black and white
apart from the cover.
Great story, great pictures, great book
www.rockpool.alburybooks.com



Roses Rainbow Pop Up Book

Found this delightful mock up of a pop up
of Sam's Little Fairies - Rose's Rainbow book
by the wonderful Ron van de Meer!


Not yet published.


Thursday 13 April 2017

The Coal Mine - for minors and miners





The Coal Mine book available on the 
Rockpool Albury Bookshelf
is a picture book that spans ages and interests.
It's interesting for the young as it tells the
story of a different era, of industrial
practices that today seem incredible - how men
worked in such extreme and dangerous conditions. 
It's a book interesting to those who worked in
the mining industry as Derek Slater's
paintings capture brilliantly the working day
familiar to those who were involved.
It's also interesting to those interested in 
fine art as Derek's paintings are showcased
beautifully in this book. 






The Funny Little Moon Man - A Very Special Visitor


There's two great space adventure books
available on the Rockpool Albury Bookshelf.
The Funny Little Moon Man books are by Simon Partington,
and the first is 'A Very Special Visitor'.
Sam is amazed to see a rocket
heading towards his house!
It lands and out pops a funny little moon man...
and so begins a wonderful space adventure! 






Nosy Barker


Now available on the Rockpool Albury Bookshelf
'Nosy Barker' - words and pictures by Stuart Trotter.
Nosy Barker is the little dog with a very big
inquisitive nose that gets him into all sorts
of trouble as he ‘sniff, sniff, sniffs’ into everything!





Lulubell Ladybird

Available on the Rockpool Albury Bookshelf is Sam Walshaw's
wonderful 'Lulubell Ladybird'.
Mrs Ladybird is very busy, with so many children, 
and so much to do. Thank goodness for caring Lulubell, who, 
as usual, steps in and helps
in a way that only Lulubell can!
Lovely, colourful pictures illustrate this charming story
for the very young.







The Northern Echo - The Coal Mine



AN artist’s collection of pitman paintings has been pulled together 
to create an illustrated picture book that explains 
coal mining to children. Working with children’s author and 
Rupert Bear illustrator, Stuart Trotter, Derek Slater, of Ferryhill, 
said he is proud to see his art in another format. 


The Coal Mine is Mr Slater’s first book although he 
hasn’t ruled out the prospect of another.
The fine art graduate said: “I have really enjoyed the process and 
it’s nice to have something with my name on.
“My family and friends think it’s great, 
and my grandchildren each have a copy.
“I painted my first oil painting in 1978 and I still have it today.
“There are around 40 of my paintings in the book, 
I also paint portraits and make ecological pictures.” 


The 32-page book has been published by 
Mr Trotter’s publishing company, Rockpool Children’s Books.
Mr Trotter said: “The idea to create a story using Derek’s pictures 
came after we were introduced and he told me he was a painter.
“We’ve collaborated on the text and now Derek has this 
wonderful book that acts as a window into his artwork.” 


                                        Stacey-Lee Christon - The Northern Echo

 

Thursday 26 January 2017

Library figures

Wonderful news for Sam, 
and Rockpool Children's Books, 
when the library lending figures 
revealed that two of her books, 
and  
were borrowed, collectively,
7,724 times 
between June 2015 - June 2016!


Great pictures, great stories, great books from
Rockpool Children's Books

Sunday 22 January 2017

Polar White


Polar White 

It’s snowing!
In fact it’s always snowing where Polar White lives,
so it’s a perfect day for the beach.
Join him as he and Rusky the Husky take little Ted off to
the seaside for another exciting day of snowy fun!


Polar Whites Woo Hoo Day 

It’s snowing!
In fact it’s always snowing where Polar White lives,
so as the Jungle Express roars in bringing
the most colourful of winter holidaymakers, join them
and Polar White on their “Woo hoo day” of snowy fun!



Great pictures, great stories, great books from
Rockpool Children's Books



Boomerang Bear

Boomerang Bear 

Eddy thinks he’s too old for a teddy.

So he throws his toy away.

But Teddy, it turns out, is not that easy to get rid of.
Delightful story and pictures, perfect for reading
alone or aloud.



Great pictures, great stories, great books from

Monday 16 January 2017

The Coal Mine - Derek Slater




A first for Rockpool Children’s Books, 
a non-fiction book!
The Coal Mine tells the story of deep coal mining.
The story is told through the dramatic paintings of
North East pitmen painter Derek Slater.
His paintings depict the hard working pitmen in harsh,
difficult conditions deep underground as they toil to fulfill the
unrelenting demands of industry and homes for coal.
The Coal Mine shows not only a way of life, which has
been consigned to history, but also a superb example
of the pitmen painter genre.

The Coal Mine at the Rockpool Albury BookShelf 



Rockpool Albury BookShelf

See inside is available for all of the books on
This allows you to see and read up to 5 spreads of
a book so you know it's the right one for you!
 

Rockpool Albury BookShelf

The Rockpool Children's Books Albury BookShelf 
is now open for business 
with nearly 60 titles on offer, old, new and French.
Also several delightful new picture books
in various stages of production.
I'd like to thank Imago and Hannah for all
of the help they've given me in this process.
Lot of hard work on both sides, so many thanks! 
I'd also like to thank Sam Walshaw, Heather Heyworth,
Rosie Brooks, Simon Partington, Mark Williams, Lisa Slater
and Derek Slater ( no relation )
for their faith, patience and continued support.