Yesterday was publication day for Trouble at the Bug Hotel!
I was lucky enough to illustrate this funny and kind-spirited text by Kathryn Simmonds, and I love the book as it’s come out. This wasn’t my first foray into making books about bugs - I wrote one called Ambrose Goes for Gold back in 2012, about a medal-winning termite. So it was lovely to return to the job of bug-drawing over ten years later.
And what’s the book about? Well, Branwell isn’t having a good day – Kevin has sat on his nest. What’s a solitary bee to do? Perhaps there’ll be room for him at the Bug Hotel? It’s certainly a nice place, but Branwell isn’t great at fitting in. Solitary by name, solitary by nature. When a familiar (enormous) face shows itself, and the daddy-long-legs is trembling and the grasshopper is losing it, maybe Branwell can save the day and make some friends in the process!
Thanks to Kathryn for writing a wonderful text, and editor Pauliina Malinen and designer Ines Amaral at Walker Books for being ace to work with!
I’ve continued with promotion for Boss of the Underworld over the last few weeks, with school assemblies and my first bookshop window-painting. This was for the really lovely Kew Bookshop in south west London. I spent a morning there earlier this week - and a morning was apparently all my knees were willing to accommodate. Getting older is such a cliché!
So it’s been a busy few weeks! In other book news, The Temptation of Mr Rose and my sketch zine, Hot and Bothered, are back in stock in my online shop - truly a sultry duo.
Wishing you good weekends!
Wonderful!! Can’t wait to get my mitts on a copy!!! 🙌🏻 Looks ace Tor!
I’m so excited for my copy of Bug Hotel! The colour palette is truly yummy, and that big face!! Well done on the window - it looks great! I love Shirley falling through/down it!
And love the pics of J & J! Xxxx