Walker Studio – serie

A beautiful collection of paintings, drawings and reflections on creatures, our constant companions, from the masterful narrative artist Shaun Tan.A creature does not necessarily represent one thing or another; it just is. A mysterious being in a mysterious world, much like you and me, trying to fit in, trying to be unique, or just trying to make sense of things as best we can, to exist.World-renowned artist Shaun Tan turns his hand to the theme of creatures. The first thing Shaun ever drew as a child was a creature, and they are still at the heart of his work. This volume collects together unseen and stand-alone drawings and paintings, along with rich and thoughtful commentary from Shaun on his inspirations. Delving deep into the timeless allure of non-human creatures, and what they might tell us about our 'normal' human selves, this book is perfect for artists, writers and dreamers alike.

See all the famous sights of London in this stylish picture book from Ingela P. Arrhenius.Red buses, black cabs and Buckingham Palace - there's so much to see in London! Visit the Beefeaters at the Tower, soar high on the London Eye and travel down the Thames in this gorgeous first book of London from Ingela P. Arrhenius. With striking illustrations of everything from iconic landmarks to the traditional full English breakfast, this is a stylish gift for any visitor to this famous city.

“Norse Myths […] will delight both the newcomer and the Norse aficionado." - The Guardian"A book to be treasured for generations” - Daily MailThe gods of the Vikings come to life as never before in this extraordinary illustrated anthology by Carnegie Medal-winning author Kevin Crossley-Holland and artist Jeffrey Alan Love. These dramatic, enthralling and atmospheric tales are based on the Scandinavian myth cycle – one of the greatest and most culturally significant stories in the world – and tell of Odin with his one eye, Thor with his mighty hammer and Loki, the red-haired, shape-shifting trickster. In this stunning collection of myths, the strange world of ancient magic, giants, dwarfs and monsters is unforgettably imagined.

Award-winning artist Shaun Tan brings his story-making to life in this beautiful sketchbook, now with brand new content.A treasure trove of sketchbook pages, jottings, doodles and drawings from life reveal much about Shaun's personal style and themes in this inspiring collection. Extensive brand new content includes pencil sketches for upcoming books, development work for Eric and cover design ideas for Cicada, along with new oil paint landscape sketches and character studies. This is a must-have for any Shaun Tan fan, particularly art and illustration students, as well as any lover of story and the creative process.

A lyrical, captivating and beautiful picture book by Carnegie Medal-winner David Almond, illustrated by Kate Greenaway Medal-winner Levi Pinfold.When a great dam was built by the Kielder Water in Northumberland, the valley below slowly filled with water. But just before this, when the villagers had been moved out, two musicians went back to the abandoned valley. They tore down the boards over the houses, stepped inside and started to play – for this would be the last time that music would be heard in this place. In this astonishing picture book that combines themes of loss, hope and music David Almond pays homage to all musicians, showing the ancient and unstoppable power of creativity.

Dive into the magical world of the night sea in this stunning lift-the-flap picture book.From award-winning illustrator Thea Lu comes a uniquely stunning journey through the night sea. Swooping manta rays, vibrant coral reefs and sleeping whales are just a few of the wonders waiting to be discovered in this eye-catching and atmospheric picture book. Lift the flaps to uncover the secrets of the night sea and fascinating facts about the creatures that live there. What will you discover?

Take a journey into the fantastical worlds of the imagination in this breath-taking, stunningly illustrated gift book.From King Arthur's Round Table at Camelot to the majestic hall of slain heroes in Asgard, visit incredible lands from myth, legend and fairy tale in this beautiful gift book. Follow the story of Dawn Gable, a scientist who shuns the world of stories in favour of dry facts, as she is taken on an unbelievable voyage to open her eyes to the power of imagination. With incredible, intricate art from David Wyatt, explore a city of robots, the ancient city of Kor, the miniature world of Lilliput and flying island of Laputa, a mountainous home of mythical beasts, the primeval island of Buyan and more. An absorbing and breath-taking gift for everyone who believes in the transformative power of stories.

Follow Victorian naturalist and explorer Alfred Russel Wallace on his intrepid journeys across the globe and find out how he developed his own theory of evolution in this beautiful illustrated gift hardback.In 1858, Alfred Russel Wallace’s travels in the Amazon Basin and Malay Archipelago led him to discover natural selection independently of Charles Darwin. Darwin's Rival traces Wallace’s life from his childhood in the Welsh countryside to his rise to prominence among the scientific community, via dense tropical jungles and perilous journeys – and shines a light on one of the most important contributors to the theory of evolution. With evocative illustrations by Harry Tennant, this stunning gift book will appeal to children and adults alike, and is the perfect introduction to the man so often eclipsed by his contemporary and friend Charles Darwin.

WINNER OF THE BOLOGNA RAGAZZI FOR NON-FICTION, THE PREMIO ANDERSEN AND THE CENTO PRIZE. A witty, magnificently produced exploration of the idea of "sorting" and categories, from the bestselling illustrator of The Silk Roads and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The animal kingdom, modes of transport, musical instruments, art and architectural movements, cloud classification … anything and everything can be sorted into groups! Framed by a charming narrative about a father and son, this is a book about categories; on a journey into town, a boy called Arvo explores the many ways in which we classify the world around us, to charming – and often amusing – effect. One of a Kind marks Neil Packer’s debut as an author-illustrator, following his extraordinary artwork for The Silk Roads and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, together with Jim Kay. With a charming text and breath-taking artwork, this is a book which deserves its title: a true original by a huge talent."A magnificent book that is as captivating and witty as it is beautifully illustrated. I loved it." – Peter Frankopan, bestselling author of The Silk Roads"Beautifully communicates fascinating information... A book to lose yourself in." - Lauren Child, former Children's Laureate"One of the best illustrated works this year... Really, really beautiful - and very original." - Jim Kay, Kate Greenaway Medal-winning artist of A Monster Calls "A great achievement." – Alexis Deacon, award-winning author, artist and graphic novelist"Wonderful." – Gillian Cross, Carnegie Medal-winning author of The Demon Headmaster

Discover animals under threat all over the world in this beautiful gift book from conservation biologist and award-winning author Martin Jenkins.From the mighty Asian elephant to the tiny rosalia longicorn beetle, creatures all over the world are under threat like never before in human history. In this timely book, conservation biologist and award-winning author Martin Jenkins introduces just a few of the species under threat, exploring why they are in danger and how we can help them. With striking graphic stamps from printmaker Tom Frost, this is a beautiful and illuminating journey through the world of endangered animals.

An enchanting tale of haunting places and mystical bargains, as a young girl makes a deal with the mysterious ruler of Paradise Sands, sumptuously illustrated by Levi Pinfold.Washed clean in his pool, we fall under his ruleAway from what is, for we are now his.When a young girl and her brothers step into the ghostly Paradise Sands hotel, they fall under the rule of the mysterious Teller. She makes a deal with him to free them all from his haunting paradise. But can she hold up her side of the bargain?Praise for Paradise Sands“Gorgeously illustrated, Paradise Sands is a modern fairy-tale. […] It’s mysterious and each page feels heavy with underlying messages to decode.” The Independent“Succinct, carefully chosen text and hauntingly beautiful artwork create a story that demands that its readers return to each page” Kirkus Reviews"Pinfold's stunning illustrations, with majestic animals, stretching landscapes and Charn-like edifices, stayed with me long after I closed the final page." The Bookseller“A stunning, unusual picture book which reads like a traditional fable.” Irish Independent“This breathtaking, high concept story can barely be contained in the pages of a humble book. Levi’s masterful storytelling transports readers to an entrancing and unsettling adventure […] A spell-binding work of art.” WRD

This limited gift box edition includes an exclusive signed and numbered print. A stunningly presented collection of twenty-five illustrated short stories exploring the relationship between humans and animals, from award-winning visual storyteller Shaun Tan.Where can we live if not in each other's shadow?World-renowned artist Shaun Tan applies his extraordinary talent to a reflection on the nature of humans and animals, and our urban co-existence. From crocodile to frog; tiger to bee, this is a dark and surreal exploration of the perennial love and destruction we feel and inflict – of how animals can save us, and how we are entwined, for better or for worse. Tales from the Inner City is a truly masterly work, bearing all of Shaun Tan’s trademark wit and poignancy in both its prose and exquisite illustrations. This limited gift box edition includes an exclusive signed and numbered print.

See the city of London like never before in a stunning gift book from the award-winning Laura Carlin.Explore the rich history and culture of London through the eyes of an award-winning illustrator. Laura Carlin's gorgeous art is paired with a collection of poems, quotes and historical accounts to tell an idiosyncratic story of the greatest city in the world. From pre-history to present day, from famous events to the lives of everyday people, thousands of years of London's history are celebrated through poems, excerpts and spellbinding illustrations in this beautiful and fascinating compendium.

A beautiful, lyrical picture book celebrating all kinds of birds and how they inspire and move us.Birds come in many different colours, shapes and personalities - but they all make our imaginations soar. This stunning picture book takes a poetic look at all kinds of birds - loud, quiet, big, small - and celebrates their impact on our lives. From the happy songs that greet us every morning to the messages of peace they bear, this colourful picture book invites the reader to appreciate the beautiful birds all around them.

An in-depth yet easy-to-read guide to the physics of the universe for older children, with stunning illustrations throughout. The perfect gift for a child interested in science, physics, astronomy and space.Divided into four sections – In the Beginning, Starlife, The Solar System and The Big Universe – Dr Ben Still guides us from the very tiniest particles right up to the largest things in our universe, from quarks to quasars. Illustrated by Thomas Pullin, the artwork throughout is a stunning mixture of technical, information-led drawings and beautiful impressions of galaxies and the wider universe.

A picture-book quest through the worlds of fantasy, myth and magic, for all young reading heroes.Join our every-hero Rider on their quest through the story worlds of fantasy and myth. Packed with vivid dragons, wolves and sea-monsters from the stunning imagination of celebrated cult fantasy artist, Jeffrey Alan Love (Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor and Loki), this book immerses readers into a picture-book Game of Thrones world for children aged 6 and up.

The extraordinary companion title to the critically-acclaimed Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor and Loki, from a Carnegie Medal-winning author.Enter an ancient world of green glades and glaciers, where gods and goddesses spread their magic whilst rock-giants and mountain-trolls roam. This astonishing new collection of Norse tales from the award-winning Kevin Crossley-Holland – with Jeffrey Alan Love’s arresting illustrations – will enthral readers of all ages.

A surreal and gorgeous alphabet book from exceptional artist Norman Messenger.The ingenious Norman Messenger transforms the ordinary letters of the alphabet into extraordinary objects in this visionary collection of flora, fauna and more. This is a book for all ages to delight in and it would make a beautiful gift. "A stunner." Observer"While parents puzzle over the meanings, small children will be tracing the curious shapes with their fingers - just as they ought to learn their letters." Wall Street Journal"All ages will delight in this stunningly illustrated book which helps us to look at letters in unexpected ways." Parents in Touch

A moving picture book that celebrates family and belonging, from acclaimed screenwriter Irena Brignull.A little girl wants to know where she came from and why she doesn’t have a father. When her mother cannot tell her, the girl decides to find out for herself. Her journey leads her on a quest through the woods, tracing her own story back to its source with the help of the animals she meets, until she discovers what truly matters in making a family. A timeless story with sumptuous illustrations, this picture book will be shared and treasured by all families whatever their shape or size."A joy to pore over." The Irish Independent, Children’s Books of the Year

Discover incredible birds from around the world with this exquisite picture book.Discover incredible birds from around the world with this exquisite picture book. From the bird-of-paradise that performs its extravagantly colourful courtship dance in the rainforest to the bar-tailed godwit that flies thousands of miles across the ocean without stopping, explore the world of magnificent birds in this beautiful gift book. Narisa Togo's stunning, stylish lino-cut prints capture the beauty and the drama of these wonderful winged creatures, making this a non-fiction book like no other.

A collection of vivid and powerful stories drawn on the front lines of migration by award-winning artist George Butler.For thousands of years humans have moved around the world, to seek a better life, to flee disaster or to escape war. Migration is a fact of life – and one of the most pressing issues of our time. In striking and intimate illustrations, award-winning artist George Butler introduces us to the people behind the headlines. Drawings made on front lines, in refugee camps and on the move vividly capture stories of leaving home, travelling into the unknown and trying to make a new life. These powerful portraits of migration are a timely reminder of the humanity we all share and our universal need to seek safety and a better life. A stunning, illuminating and sensitive look at stories that deserve to be told.

A gorgeously illustrated and engaging guide to the world of art.Immerse yourself in the amazing world of art in this beautiful book with text by Helena Hunt, stylishly illustrated by the inimitable print-maker James Brown. What is art, and how have we used it to express ourselves throughout history? From cave painting right up to pop art; the Renaissance to twentieth-century sculpture, discover the stories behind great movements, processes and artists – both the household names and the perhaps not-so-familiar. Covering thirty topics, including printing, pigment, ceramics and pattern and photography, as well as Impressionism, Romanticism and Surrealism, this is a thoughtful and easily digestible approach to a huge subject.

A gorgeous and evocative story of how the animals got their colours, from Carnegie Medal-winner Tanya Landman and V&A Illustration Award winner Laura Carlin.The earth was young and full of colour. But the animals were dull and drab. The painter decided: something must be done! With dabs and sweeps the painter's brush creates the stripes on the zebra, the sharp suit of the penguin and the bright splashes on parrots. But what can he give the nightingale when his paintbox has run dry? A beautiful and gently moving tale from the award-winning Tanya Landman and Laura Carlin.

It's soft! It's warm! It's cold! It's in the air! Explore the familiar world in imaginative new ways in this stylish board book from the celebrated illustrator Ingela P. Arrhenius.What do a phone and a hammer have in common? Would it help if a fire engine, a trumpet and a crying baby joined the crowd? Noisy!With her trademark sense of whimsy and her bold, retro illustration, Ingela P. Arrhenius delights young children as well as design lovers, as she looks at the everyday world through imaginative common themes. Flowers, a new book and a freshly bathed baby all smell great, but a skunk, old fish bones and a baby in need of a change? Not so good! Whether up in the air, in the water or things to be found at Home Sweet Home, readers are invited to take a playful tour of the world around them to discover the way that things are alike, and how they are wonderfully unique.

Follow the journey from the very beginning of our planet to the arrival of humans, in an energetic and engaging picture book.In the beginning there was nothing, and then – BANG! – the universe was born. Discover the incredible story of billions of years of life on Earth, from the first tiny cells, through the age of dinosaurs and prehistoric beasts, all the way to the first humans. With playful text and stylish illustrations, this awe-inspiring history is perfect for curious young minds.

"The incredible story of how a house was witness to German history" Telegraph"A touching picturebook which shows children that large events can have repercussions even in small and unheralded places" Wall Street JournalA beautiful picture-book adaptation of Thomas Harding's Costa-shortlisted biography for adults, exquisitely illustrated by Britta Teckentrup.On the outskirts of Berlin, a wooden cottage stands on the shore of a lake. Over the course of a century, this little house played host to a loving Jewish family, a renowned Nazi composer, wartime refugees and a Stasi informant; in that time, a world war came and went, and the Berlin Wall was built a stone's throw from the cottage's back door. Thomas Harding first shared this remarkable story in his Costa-shortlisted biography The House by the Lake – now he has rendered it into a deeply moving picture-book for young readers. With words that read like a haunting fairy-tale, and magnificent artwork by Britta Teckentrup, this is the astonishing true story of the house by the lake."An atmospheric and ultimately uplifting tale with delicate, ethereal images" The Financial TimesPRAISE FOR THE ORIGINAL BIOGRAPHY OF THE HOUSE BY THE LAKE: A Radio 4 Book of the WeekNamed a Best Book of the Year by: The Times >> New Statesman >> Daily Express >> Commonweal magazineShortlisted for the Costa Biography Award 2015Longlisted for the Orwell Prize 2016Over 50 five-star reviews on Amazon"A passionate memoir." – Neil MacGregor"A superb portrait of twentieth century Germany seen through the prism of a house which was lived in, and lost, by five different families. A remarkable book." – Tom Holland"A book that will stay with me for a very long time." – Rachel Joyce"A superb work of social history." – The Sunday Times "Diamond brilliant ... an extraordinary book." – Sunday Express"A deft history of a cabin containing many secrets." – Independent"A fascinating window on a tumultuous period" – Financial Times"Original, personal, moving and uplifting" – Literary Review"This is a history that is often poignant, sometimes heartening, and never other than intimate." – Spectator"An extraordinary book…. Harding has extracted the past from the dust that collects between floorboards and from layers of peeling wallpaper.” – Washington PostSEE ALSO THOMAS HARDING'S NEW BIOGRAPHY, LEGACY:"I was riveted: this is a fascinating social history." – Nigella Lawson"Written with love and imagination ... a masterclass in historical empathy." – TLS"Nobody quite stirs the soup of historical detail like Harding." – Express

A stunning non-fiction book illuminating the secrets of animal camouflage with a search-and-find twist.Now you see them, now you don’t. Cloaked in a riot of colour, pattern and texture are a dozen creatures – from chameleons and polar bears to Gaboon vipers and mimic octopuses – that have unique and impressive techniques for staying out of sight. As we travel around the planet, fact-packed pages for each of these twelve animals are interspersed with clever and beautifully illustrated search-and-find spreads that put readers’ newfound knowledge of each elusive creature and its ecosystem to the test.

Discover the most brilliant skills animals have ever evolved in a stylish and fascinating picture book.Body armour, seeing with sound, gliding without wings - wherever you look in the animal kingdom, you can find amazing super skills to deal with nature's trickiest challenges. In fact, these skills are so amazing that they have evolved again and again in totally unrelated animals! From tiny insects to ginormous giraffes, meet the creatures that have the same ingenious ways of surviving and thriving on planet Earth. Discover the wonders of evolution in this vibrant picture book packed with incredible facts from zoologist Dr Nick Crumpton, and illustrated by award-winning new talent Viola Wang.