A Child of Books
Age 6+
Picture Books
“A gorgeous, innovative musing on the power of storytelling. . . . A masterpiece.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
A little girl sails her raft across a sea of words, arriving at the house of a small boy and calling him away on an adventure. Through forests of fairy tales and across mountains of make-believe, the two travel together on a fantastical journey that unlocks the boy’s imagination. Now a lifetime of magic and adventure lies ahead of him . . . but who will be next? Combining elegant images by New York Times best-selling author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers with fine artist Sam Winston’s typographical landscapes that are shaped from excerpts of children’s classics, A Child of Books is a stunning prose poem on the rewards of sharing stories—an immersive and unforgettable reading experience that readers will want to pass on to others.
Creators
Oliver Jeffers is an artist whose work ranges from figurative painting and installation to illustration. His picture books include Lost and Found, How to Catch a Star, This Moose Belongs to Me and The Day the Crayons Quit, all of which have been translated into over 30 languages worldwide. Oliver's talent has been recognized by several high-profile awards, including the Irish Book of the Year and the Blue Peter Book of the Year; as well as shortlists for the British Book of the Year, the Roald Dahl Prize and the Kate Greenaway Medal. Born in Australia, Oliver was brought up in Northern Ireland and now lives and works in New York.
Sam Winston is a fine artist who exhibits internationally and whose books can be found in many special collections worldwide, including New York's Museum of Modern Art, the Getty Research Institute, the Tate Gallery London, and the V&A Museum. His work is also collected by the Library of Congress and commissioned by The New York Times. Sam lives and works in London.
Reviews
A gorgeous homage to the power of the written word.
The Guardian
The message – and indeed the last line – is, of course, that imagination is free; that there’s a little crack you can look through and see a whole universe. […] Like all the best children’s books, it can be enjoyed superficially or you can get into the nitty gritty of the texts – the reader can go as deep as he likes.
The Daily Telegraph
It’s a hymn of books, reading and stories, a unique reading experience and an inspirational gift for book lovers young and old.
The Bookseller
“This incredible book will seed a life-long love of reading.”
The Sun
A groundbreaking, inspiring and hauntingly beautiful story from picture book giant Oliver Jeffers and typographic fine artist Sam Winston. This magical and unforgettable book is a completely unique reading experience, blending illustration and the printed and written word like never before. A child of Books will encourage readers of all ages to question, to explore and to imagine – an infinite reminder of what books are, and all that they can do.
Ni4Kids
