The Orchard Book of Stories from the Seven Seas
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Cover Story
The cover of this issue is a design incorporating illustrations from four books illustrated by the subject of our Authorgraph, Ian Beck. The top left illustration is from Five Little Ducks (Orchard), the top right from Poppy and Pip's Picnic (to be published Autumn '97 by HarperCollins), the bottom left from The Owl and the Pussy-cat (Transworld) and the bottom right from Home Before Dark (to be published September '97 by Scholastic). Ian Beck's Picture Book (Hippo) is reviewed in this issue.
Beck talks to BfK's interviewer, Julia Eccleshare, also in this issue. His distinctive decorative style with its sensitive pen line and cross hatching has a nostalgic but sometimes also a surreal quality - he describes it as 'a look that is floating, strong and wistful all at the same time'.
Thanks to Orchard, HarperCollins, Transworld and Scholastic for their help in producing this composite cover.
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The Orchard Book of Stories from the Seven Seas
Sheila Moxley
A welcome addition to Orchard's beautifully-produced series of traditional stories. It is wonderful to find books like these, well-told and superbly illustrated collections that deserve to become classroom and family treasures. This collection, ten tales with a salty theme from around the world, is lavishly and imaginatively illustrated by Sheila Moxley - I particularly enjoyed her St Ives School-style harbour in the Cornish tale! The stories are retold by an established storyteller and read aloud well. Brief notes at the end of the book provide more details about the tales, some of which are found in local variants throughout the world. The current availability of myths, legends and folk tales in attractive, high quality retellings is a joy - my six-year-old audience was spellbound by the sheer satisfaction of a well-resolved, timeless tale. Read aloud to Year 2+; older children may enjoy reading the stories independently, but nothing beats hearing stories like these!