I checked this book out from the library a bit back and now I have to own it. The girls like it too, but I am completely smitten with it. It's called Half A World Away, by Libby Gleeson. The illustrations are by Freya Blackwood and are completely blowing my mind. I can't put my finger on exactly why I love her style so much. It's tight but has a sparse quality, and the clothes and facial expressions are so very good. I have a hard time reading the story aloud because I get so distracted looking at the pictures. She also has some wonderful aerial drawings of houses and cities which are amazing. I just love her hand. The story is nice too. Sad/nice, but very sweet.
She has another, earlier book which after a cursory search, I didn't find here in the US. It also looks amazing. Has anyone seen it here? And if not, would anyone overseas be interested in a swap? I know the artist is from New Zealand and it looks like the book is available there and Australia. . .
and unrelated to books-I sure am diggin' on Sally's big tissue paper flowers right now. That might be a good craft project this week. And I am also itching to try some smocking like Hannah. I have never tried this before and the idea of elastic thread excites me. So does the impending Superbuzzy update. Sorry to be so pushy, Mariko. That's just me.
