Loved to Pieces . . . with Abigail Halpin!

HOORAY! We are delighted to have the talented illustrator Abigail Halpin visiting the Cottage today. 

Abigail's drawings have appeared in assorted picture books and middle grade novels including Bella's Rules, The Year of the Book and The Problem With Being Slightly Heroic.

Abigail's brought a special book to share with you. It's her very own loved-to-pieces copy of The Random House Book of Fairy Tales.

Tell us about it, Abigail. . . .


"I was a kindergartner the Christmas my parents gave me The Random House Book of Fairy Tales, adapted by Amy Ehrlich and illustrated by Diane Goode. I remember as soon as I cracked open the cover, I fell deeply, completely and unequivocally in love with the book. Long-haired maidens, twirling vines, deftly-shaded scenes of magic abounded and I couldn't get enough. 

"Beauty and the Beast" Copyright 1978 by Diane Goode.

 
Without a doubt, that book of fairy tales made a huge impression on me, launching a life-long love of folklore and fantasy. And as a young girl, I know the example of female illustrators like Diane Goode (along with Tasha Tudor and Trina Schart Hyman) encouraged my own dreams of someday illustrating picture books.

Trust me that when I say I love this book, it's not just hyperbole. I still have my copy of The Random House Book of Fairy Tales, complete with cracked spine and dog-eared pages, in a bookcase near my bed. When life feels banal, I pick it up and flip through the pages. As soon as I do so, I'm instantly six and full of wonder. Cats talk, witches plot and glass footwear can change the course of someone's life. And if only for a minute, life is magical again and full of limitless possibility, reminding me why I illustrate books in the first place."

Abigail Halpin is an illustrator, living in Southern Maine, a stone's throw from the ocean. Her drawings have appeared in assorted picture books and middle grade novels including Bella's Rules, The Year of the Book and The Problem With Being Slightly Heroic. 

You can see more of Abigail's work at www.theodesign.com.

 

BELLA'S RULES

by Elissa Haden Guest

Illustrated by Abigail Halpin

Dial Books (May 2013) 

An adorable tale of two well-intentioned rule breakers who show each other how friends deserve to be treated. 

"Halpin’s mixed-media illustrations highlight Bella’s exuberance and her family’s calm." --Booklist 

"A winner." --Kirkus

"Bubbly brunette Bella is an appropriately lively figure, but it's plump-tummied Puppy, with his floppy brown ears and cute brown eyespot, who will captivate kids (they'll especially enjoy the illustration of Puppy breaking the 'No peeing indoors' rule)." --BCCB

Watch the BELLA'S RULES book trailer!