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