FOUR BOOKS TO OWN

Quentin Blake’s quirky drawings never fail to bring stories to life. Get to know the illustrator through these gems.

	PATRICK By Quentin Blake, Red Fox, $17.50, from Woods in the Books Patrick doesn’t need a wand to make magic happen. When he plays the old violin he bought from Mr Onions, fish fly, trees grow cakes and everything becomes multicoloured. This is Blake’s first attempt at writing and also his protest against being stereotyped as a black-and-white illustrator. Recommended for kids aged four to seven.
	THE MAGIC FINGER By Roald Dahl, Puffin Books, $24.50, from Woods in the Books When the main character in this story gets angry, her right forefinger involuntarily tingles, points and casts amusing spells on her aggressor. Blake enjoyed a 15-year friendship with Roald Dahl, from 1975 to the author’s death in 1990. There is perhaps no literary collaboration as famous as theirs. Recommended for kids aged eight to 12.
	MR STINK By David Walliams, Harpercollins Children’s Books, $14.87, from Kinokuniya After working with Blake for The Boy in the Dress, Walliams once again adapts his humour for children. Mr Stink the tramp, well, really stinks. But Chloe senses that behind the smell is an interesting story. This book tackles prejudice in a light-hearted manner and is one of Blake’s recent works. Recommended for kids aged nine to 12.
	MICHAEL ROSEN’S SAD BOOK By Michael Rosen, Walker Books, $15.89, from Kinokuniya The book details how Rosen copes with grief after his son’s death. Blake says the illustration of Rosen masking his emotions with a fixed smile is the most difficult one he has ever done. This brilliant pairing of two former children’s laureates has resulted in an exceptional book. Recommended for kids aged four to 12.

More Quentin Blake facts

• Born in 1932, Blake first had his drawings published 
in Punch, when he was 16. In his 63-
year career, he
has illustrated over 300 books.

• He was named the first children’s laureate in 1999, won the 2002 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration, and in 2007, was knighted by the French government
in the Order of Arts and Letters.
• He likes cycling around the French countryside, looking at birds. Herons are his favourites.
• Find out more at www.quentinblake.com.

Read the June 2011 issue of Young Parents for more expert advice and local tips to make you a better mum or dad.