Click here to see some more of Aki Fukuoka's gorgeous Billie sketches. This time for The Big Sister. I love seeing the way Aki's illustrations develop. I am such a fan of her work. Recently, one of the Billie B Brown books, The Secret Message, was chosen for the 2011 Get Reading! campaign. This year's '50 Books You Can't Put Down' list features 35 Australian titles, with 13 of the 50 titles being children's/young adult books. This is obviously very exciting news, but for me, the best thing about this news is that Aki and I might get to do some gigs together and finally meet in person. Aki lives in New Zealand, so up until now we have only been able to correspond by email or through our blogs. Wouldn't it be fun if Aki and I could do some Billie events together? If this happens, I will definitely let you know. Fingers crossed!
aw I love this cover. The teddy is so cute :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? It's such a thrill seeing Aki's illustrations each time. Usually I am the one illustrating other writer's texts so I am especially enjoying having these roles reversed.
ReplyDeletethat's such a good point!
ReplyDeleteis there a specific reason why you're not illustrating these books?
Yep. Time, mainly. If I'm going to write ten Billie books in a year there's no way I'm going to be able to illustrate them as well. Aki is literally illustrating them as I write them. She's amazing. And fast. And also about a million times younger and groovier than me, which is kind of the look we were going for with these books.
ReplyDeleteGiven what you have said about Ali in your posts and in your replies, I feel there is something very serendipitous about the title of your latest Billie B Brown, The Big Sister, a sense of rightness about how the relationship between both of you has and is probably still developing. It is lovely to watch, like watching a flower bloom, but watching it in real time, as opposed to some gimmicky time-lapse photography. Congratulations to both of you. R x
ReplyDeleteAki, not Ali. Apologies for my clumsy, fat fingers.
ReplyDeleteThank you for highlighting me! Sally I love your stories, I am so privileged to be illustrating for you! Can't wait to come see you and the rest of the BBB team! xox
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