Duck Creek Press releases three new “ducklings” on first birthday

 Takapuna Library celebrated the first birthday of Duck Creek Press, David Ling’s picture book imprint, at a crowded event last night. Belynda Smith, Takapuna Children’s Librarian and now Duck Creek author, says she stopped counting the guests when she got to 130!

David Ling was delighted to have new titles to join the original three. Just released are:

The quirky The House That Went to Sea by Melinda Szymanik, whimsically illustrated by Gabriella Klepatski.

Goodnight Pumpkin, by Belynda Smith, illustrated by Marie Sanders – a first for both author and artist, it’s a real tale with a twist starring the Smith’s younger daughter.

Whetu: the Little Blue Duck, by Jennifer Beck has a conservation theme, and it is young illustrator Renee Haggo’s second book for Duck Creek.

Of the original trio published last year, A Dog Like That! and The Mountain Who Wanted to Live in a House, received Storylines Notable Book Awards. A Dog Like That! was also a finalist for both the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards and LIANZA’s Russell Clark Award for illustration.

David says by the end of the year four of the books will be available as iPhone and iPad apps. Check out the new titles and the originals on www.davidling.co.nz

David Ling cutting the birthday cake with authors and illustrators (from left) Marie Sanders, Belynda Smith, Gabriella Klepatski, Jennifer Beck, Melinda Szymanik and Renee Haggo.

The crowd was large and sales were brisk.