Category Archives: Local children’s authors

Local Children’s Illustrator’s success with Brian and the Vikings.

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Freelance Illustrator and Graphic Designer Mark Wickham has had tremendous success with the publication of his first picture book, ‘Brian and the Vikings’.   Mark, originally of Bantry, worked in collaboration with well known children’s author Chris Judge to produce the book which tells the story of a young Brian Boru who, although the smallest boy in the village is also the smartest and how his clever invention helps thwart the Vikings.   The book has been published by O’Briens Press and there was a large turnout at the book-launch which was held at the Gutter Bookshop in Temple Bar, Dublin.

Brian and the Vikings

Mark says ‘I was always doodling and drawing since I was a kid. But I have always been wary about doing it as a full time job because I don’t want it to take the enjoyment out of it.  But I have been gradually doing more and more illustration work and it is still highly enjoyable, so it will work out’.   The illustrations have a very modern and unique aspect to them and the popular children’s surreal cartoon, Adventure Time, has been a strong influence. When asked what his advice to any young people hoping to get into illustration is, Mark said ‘Keep drawing every single day.  A lot of my work has been done on computers but nothing beats paper and a pencil’.

 

Mark

Hoggis and Figgis, Ireland’s oldest Bookshop which was established in 1768, displayed an enormous dragon from the story made by Mick Minogue, which was a crowd-pleaser.  Mark and Chris are delighted with the sales of the book as it is very rare that a children’s picture book makes it onto a Hoggis and Figgis top 20 bestseller list.

Now that Mark knows the demands of the market from sample-spreads to storyboards, he says he has a few good ideas up his sleeve for the future.

Local Author Caroline Twomey – The Dream Catcher

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‘The Dream Catcher’ by Caroline Twomey

The Dream Catcher by Caroline Twomey

Local West Cork author delves into the complexity of nightmares in newly published children’s picture book

‘The Dream Catcher’ was officially launched by local author Caroline Twomey in the award winning bookshop, Whyte Books, owned by Sheila Whyte in Main Street Schull.

Caroline 2

‘The Dream Catcher’ is a beautifully illustrated picture book aimed at children aged between 3-8 years of age. The book deals with the issue of childhood nightmares and fears of the dark and the story is told from the viewpoint of a 6 year old boy, Jamie. Jamie’s fears are faced and conquered by himself and his stuffed friends, empowering the child to overcome his fears utilising imaginative and fun solutions. Inspired by her own son’s experience with nightmares, Caroline has received great success with the publication of her first picture book, ‘The Dream Catcher’.

‘The Dream Catcher’ retails for just €9 and is now available to purchase in local bookstores as well as online.

Caroline Twomey

Caroline is a children’s book author who lives in Schull.  She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Ireland (SCBWI), Children’s Books Ireland (CBI) and a postgraduate of University College Cork (UCC) and The Publishing Training Centre, London (PTC).

Administrator for the SCBWI Scribblers 2 critique group, Caroline is also an active member of writing groups including 12×12, ReFoReMo, Revimo and PiBoIdMo.

When she is not writing or editing, Caroline can be found running around after her two little boys, who are a major source of her ideas and inspiration for her children’s stories.

For more information or to contact Caroline, visit her website at www.carolinetwomey.com

Bantry Author Launches Branded Series of Children’s Books

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Melanie O’Sullivan, originally from South Africa, but who has been living in the Mealagh Valley for the past 8 years with her husband Tim and their four beautiful children, launched her first book ‘Let the Adventures Begin’ in the Spottea and Dottea series at the Maritime on the 29th May.

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Cathal McCarthy, resource teacher and friend, introduced Mel to the audience and his humour and rapport set a warm tone to the entire evening.  He claims that when initially approached for help, he had thought he was saying yes to assist with a flat tyre or a heavy box of groceries and did not realise he had just said yes to the task of being master of ceremonies!

 

Melanie thanked her family and friends for all their encouragement and support,  ‘This journey started a year ago and people have supported me from the beginning.’  Melanie is a warm and caring  woman with Christian views and firmly believes in the power of prayer.  Not only is Melanie a popular substitute teacher in over 12 schools across West Cork, she holds a Higher Diploma in Education, B-Ed Honors and BA degrees.  During her encounters with children, Melanie realised that many of them seem to ‘lack a sense of purpose and are also being affected by stress and depression that many adults suffer from’.   Wanting to make a difference, Melanie decided ‘to write a book that would be appealing to children but still carry the message of scripture’. And so, her ladybird characters, Spottea and Dottea were born.   Melanie addressed the packed room of over 250 guests by saying that everyone present was ‘entirely unique’ and that ‘having grown up in Africa, I know that no two Zebra have the same stripes, nor any two giraffe the same patterns.  And just as no  two snowflakes in a blizzard are the same, we are all different, unique and created for a purpose.  We all have a purpose.’

 

Melanie found interest and publishing support from Maurice Wylie of Maurice Wylie Media in Northern Ireland who was so enthusiastic about the book when he first heard the idea, that he says ‘when I saw such potential,I realised that it was not a book, but a brand – and one that will touch children’s lives and help mould character and development.’   The central theme of this unique children’s brand is ‘education through truth’ and each book will inspire children to reach their potential through spiritual and educational growth.

 

Upon arrival, each person got an entry form to fill in for a draw.  The first prize was a set of the first 4 books in the series, (which shows the commitment to future editions) and was won by Michelle Bishop from Glenkreigh . Second prize, which was two copies of ‘Let the Adventures Begin’, was won by Ber O’Sullivan of Caherdaniel and in third place, Aoife Barrett of Drimoleague won herself a copy of the book.

 

Melanie signing a copy of the first book in the Spottea and Dottea series

Melanie signing a copy of the first book in the Spottea and Dottea series

The second book in the series should be ready to hit the shelves by the end of June and Melanie is hoping to bring out a book a month after that. For more information and to see other products in the series, including gift cards, jig-saws and mugs, please visit www.spotteadottea.com