Today the blog tour for The Jelly That Wouldn’t Wobble by Angela Mitchell and Sarah Horne (see my review here) stops here at Library Mice and for the occasion, Sarah Horne  has kindly agreed to take part in my Fabulous Five feature. 










Sarah Horne was born in Cheshire and grew up in Derbyshire. She first studied at Falmouth College of Arts and then completed a Masters in Illustration from Kingston University in 2004. Sarah has illustrated a huge selection of books, from picture books to fiction for young readers. Amongst them, Rhino, What Rhino? (see my review here), the Vulgar the Viking series (see my review here), and Guinea Pigs Online (see my review here).
Check out her website and her blog, which gives great insight into her work.

Five Fabulous Mad & Brilliant Picture Booksby Sarah Horne





Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus!
Mo Willems


The title and premise is hilarious. The pigeon is instantly likable, cute, cheeky and very lovable. We are told by the bus driver that under no circumstances, are we to let the pigeon drive the bus – it has happened before?

The pigeon then tries all manner of tactics to drive the bus.  Pleading, bribery, looking painfully cute then huffily telling us he has dreams too. It all ends, as things must with an almighty temper tantrum!

I just love the simplicity of this book. It is a real skill to keep it simple in both text and artwork, yet get across so much character and wit.




The Incredible Book Eating Boy
Oliver Jeffers


I instantly loved the humour and detail. Licking a book rather his ice-lolly whilst distracted by a cat having a poo, kicks off the whole scenario. It’s then quickly followed by a Moby Dick book on a plate next to some chips, as he gets a taste for books. Completed by whizzing up some reference books in the blender. Very witty.


From a technical side, the beautiful, muted colour palette of browns and teal greens is wonderful. The use of collage and colour is intelligent and delicate; the background is a cover of an old book painted over in thick oil or acrylic paint. Obscure yet brilliant.


  


The Great Dog Bottom Swap 

Peter Bently (text) & Mei Matsuoka (illustrations)


I remember reading this in a large bookshop and laughing so much, I feared I might be asked to leave. One of the many things I love about this book are the unusual compositions, especially the dinner table spread where there seems to no up or down, and the dining dogs fill every side and edge of the grand round table. Really great stuff, some lovely ideas here.




Pirate Pete sets Sail
Jean Pierre Jaggi  (text) & Alan Clarke (illustrations)


This is a prime example of how illustration can really add a different take and angle on a story. Alan Clarke’s (www.mralanclarke.com ) artwork has a fantastical wit about it that really sneaks up behind you. Wonderful extra detail, mad characters, crazy perspectives and absolute first class draftsmanship. Check it out you won’t regret it.





Horton Hears a Who
Dr Seuss


I’ve always been fascinated with scale. For example, one big character, and one small. One fat, one thin… One exceedingly joyful character next to an absolute all out horror-grump with permanent rain cloud overhead! It’s funny. In the case of Suess’s Horton Hears A Who, a huge great elephant discovers tiny world perching on the edge of a dandelion. Mad, brilliant and mind blowing.

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Thank you so much Sarah for this great selection! I had never heard of “Pirate Pete Sets Sail” and I look forward to checking it out!

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