The gorgeous new children’s book from the pens of Janet
Pereira (writer) and Gabriella Klepatski, (illustrator) had the pleasure of two
launches. The only option when the two creators
are at opposite ends of the country.
However in Auckland last night another person instrumental
in the book also made an appearance – well sort of! This gorgeous story of a Grandpop who loves
fishing and befriends a cat, who also loves fishing, is actually based on a
true story that Janet heard many years ago.
Bill, a taxi driver from Christchurch and a family member by marriage actually
had a cat befriend him at his favourite campground and it did know were the
good fishing spots were.
So the extremely talented Gabriella made this wonderful model
of Grandpop and the fisher cat which held pride of place on the signing table
with the books last night as Gabriella talked to the crowd about her experience/process
illustrating the book. The enthusiastic
crowd who attended at Takapuna Library also had the pleasure of hearing from
Jill Harris (launching The Red Suitcase)
and Bee & Lisa Pigneguy (launching Grow
Me Well)
Grandpop patiently awaiting the signing session
Gabriella talks about the book and its process
Gabriella talks about the book and its process
Janet also had a wonderful launch event in Dunedin, hosted
by University Bookshop. Her sister-in-law,
Robyn Belton a talented illustrator herself, praised the book saying ‘it has all the magical qualities of the best
picture books” and “it is the perfect
balance of words and images’. She went
on to say that she knows from experience the hard work and collaboration that
is required to produce a book like this and ‘Janet together with Gabriella you have given us all a treasure. It is a
beautiful book. Blackie has won our hearts.’
Janet Pereira (middle) with sister-in-law Robyn Belton (right)
and a guest
Blackie the
fisher-cat
Craig Potton Publishing
PB $19.99 | ISBN: 9781927213032
HB $29.99 | ISBN: 9781927213049
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