Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Original Artworks by Karen Lloyd-Jones

We are excited to announce original artworks for sale from Karen Lloyd-Jones' intricately detailed books Spiders Spin Webs, Zoo Album and Butterflies Fly. These exquisitely painted illustrations would be perfect for any animal and insect enthusiast!

Karen Lloyd-Jones lived as a child in Nairobi, Kenya, which informed her love of nature and animals. Spiders Spin Webs, her first picture book, was an award-winning book in Australia and was extremely well received in the US.

Karen`s book illustrations are created in watercolour, gouache and coloured pencil. She continues to work as an artist and is currently in her final year of a Diploma in Visual Arts, concentrating on oil painting and print-making.

To view more of Karen's work on our web site just click on the image below.



Thursday, May 19, 2011

News from Clunes Back to Booktown

We had an excellent time at this year's Clunes Back to Booktown weekend festival (May 14 and 15) and thought we'd share a few fun photographs from the day!
Back to Booktown is a held at Clunes each year around this time. It spans one weekend and every nook and cranny in this fascinating historic goldmining town is filled with books - mostly old, many rare, all waiting for a new home and collectors, browsers and book lovers of all ages have a delicious time on the hunt. Some travelled up by stream-train from Melbourne this year!   It was great weather (better than in Melbourne) and a lovely bustling atmosphere with a fabulous crowd.  There are visiting author talks (including Blanche & Bob this year!), Punch & Judy (no, not Blanche & Bob), an interesting range of good food, the school big band, and booky activities for kids too.  It'll be on again around the same time next year - and we'll be there - come and say hi!

Visitors enjoying the exhibition of prints & picture books

Two very enthusiastic customers, with our display in the background


A ballerina illustration that Ann J painted for a lovely young customer.

Nick and Dot enjoying Autumn in Clunes during a break from bookselling



Monday, May 9, 2011

Hello from Ann James in Korea!

Here I am at the opening of the Children's Festival at Paju Book City celebrating Australia-Korea Friendship Year. 

The opening was very formal with many speeches - mine, as you can see in the last photograph - was translated by yo-jin Lee, the Korean Director of the Australia-Korea Foundation (Australian Embassy in Seoul).

More on our exhibition and workshops later ...


The opening ceremony of Australian-Korea Friendship Year 2011

The performers at the opening ceremony

Me giving the opening speech 

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Back to Booktown 2011 - how are you getting to this book-lovers heaven?

Heritage Express train to Clunes Booktown
(image c/o Seymour Railway Heritage website).

We hope to see you all at Clunes Booktown Festival on Saturday 14 - Sunday 15th of May, and if you haven't worked out how to get there yet ...

On Saturday 14th May catch the Clunes Booktown Express, a heritage train from Melbourne, destination Clunes Booktown, where thousands of rare second-hand and collectable books are on sale.

The weekend includes free Writers' Talks , street theatre, the Australia Fair Grand Concert Street Organ, wine, food and live music.

Books Illustrated's stand - with a wide variety of books and limited edition prints on offer - will be part of a special Children's Booktown including book whispering from La trobe University, the magic of paper marbling, story telling, artists' demonstrations and hay bales to climb.

Event details
Dates: 14 -15 May 2011
Venue: Clunes Booktown - Clunes was the site of Victoria's first gold strike and is located in a hidden valley surrounded by rounded hills, situated 30 km north of Ballarat.