Claire Lebourg – författare

An unmitigated delight.' - The New York Times. What exactly is a piece of art? What is it meant to capture? And how do we find the courage to believe in our work? It's the week of her gallery opening and none of Paty's paintings are ready. She asks her friends to pose in her studio, and the outcome is... just dreadful. After seeing the way Paty has portrayed them, one after the other, they leave in a huff. Paty wonders whether she should cancel the whole thing. Fortunately, Michou, the gallery owner, forbids it. And Paty is in for a surprise on opening day... What exactly is a piece of art? What is it meant to capture? How do we find the courage to believe in our work? Claire Lebourg's watercolor illustrations convey all the worry and self-doubt that comes with any creative practice and show us that maybe the secret lies in believing in yourself.

The second volume of Mousse - a new series for early readers - follows Mousse and Barnacle on a trip to the beach, where the addition of a new friend makes Mousse jealous. Mousse wakes up to a clap of thunder and pouring rain. He tries to enjoy his coffee in his favorite armchair, but the tide washes into his living room with wave after wave. When he goes out to the beach to collect the day's treasures, he doesn't find anything - or anyone. Where has everyone gone? 'They've all left for the South,' a mussel calls out. So Mousse decides to head South, too, to take a much deserved vacation. Surrounded by velvety sand and colorful shells, he invites his good friend Barnacle to join him. They relax on the beach, take a mud bath and a dip. Everything about the trip is going as planned, until Felix starts tagging along, and three feels like company . . .

In the third volume of this critically acclaimed series, Mousse learns during a visit from his niece that some treasures are truly priceless. Mousse has meticulously prepared for his niece Pistachio's arrival. He's gone to the bakery to buy fresh bread and cheese. In her room, he's set out a fresh notebook, with pens and colored pencils, and put together a small library with his favorite books. But Pistachio has plans of her own: she only wants to play in the waves. When Mousse receives a letter from his friend Barnacle about a rummage sale, he and Pistachio rush to the attic to prepare, stumbling upon the treasures hidden in his old house. What memories do they hold?

Mousse learns that it doesn't matter where you spend the holidays, it's who you spend them with that counts! The holiday season is here. Mousse has chosen and trimmed the perfect tree. Then he gets a call from his sister inviting him to spend Christmas with her and Pistachio in the big city. Crowds and tall buildings aren't his cup of tea (or coffee), but Mousse wants to see his family: he packs his bags. With his niece Pistachio as his guide, Mousse finds a little bit of home amid the wonders of the city. As Christmas draws to a close, Mousse invites Pistachio to ring in the New Year. A quiet celebration, just the two of them and the sea. They return to Mousse's house to find a note from his old friend Barnacle on the door: he wants Mousse to host a new year's party and will bring a few guests. Together, Mousse and Pistachio set out to cook for what they suspect will be more than a few guests. Then the doorbell rings and Mousse dons his party socks, prepared for what is sure to be an unforgettable celebration...