Graffeg News August 2024
AUGUST NEWS
The Shy Book
08 August 2024
A new interactive picture book about combatting shyness
Paperback | 36 pages
230 x 230mm | Ages 3-5 | £7.99
Perfect for children going to school or nursery for the first time or anyone starting a new school, The Shy Book is an interactive picture book which features the book itself as the main character. The book is shy, so thinks the reader will find it boring, but as the book starts asking the reader questions, it becomes braver and gains confidence.
Author Howard Perlstein says,
‘As a naturally introverted person,
I know how uncomfortable speaking up, sharing, or talking to others can be. With this book, I wanted to let shy children know that there’s nothing wrong with feeling shy and that they’re great just the way they are. Beyond letting them know that they’re not alone, I also wanted to provide a bit of practical advice that could help them feel more comfortable when interacting with people.’
Howard Pearlstein is the award-winning author of nine picture books that have been translated into five languages. His other upcoming titles in 2024 and 2025 include This Book Is Not For You and The Bad Book for Good Kids. Howard is based in the US.
Two New Titles for
Ebb and Flo Series
22 August 2024
These two new additions to the popular children's books series add more waterside fun and friendship
Paperback | 36 pages
230 x 230mm | £7.99
After re-publishing the first four Ebb and Flo titles in 2022, Graffeg continue the series with two new titles: Ebb and Flo: A Blowy Day and Ebb and Flo and the New Boat, adapted from episodes of the animated series created by Kate Canning Studios and inspired by Jane Simmons book characters.
Perfect for children aged 3-5, these new stories show Ebb, Flo, Bird and Ma flying a kite, rescuing some washing in high winds, meeting a new neighbour and coping with the upset when a friend moves away. They also contain teaching notes at the back of the book that contain useful hints and tips of how these stories can be used in a classroom, but also how they can be used in home education. Topics covered include the wind, descriptive words, friendship, boats, birds and even other languages.
The animated series was created by Kate Canning, published by Bogglesox and narrated by Fiona Shaw. You can view the animations here.
Kate Canning formed Canning Factory over 25 years ago to be the umbrella for her animations and picture books for children. Titles include her classic character James the Cat, (UNICEF endorsed) and Painted Tales books and films for C4 TV. Developed by Kate, from the original books by Jane Simmons, Ebb & Flo is an animated pre-school series, shown internationally. Kate is currently adapting further Ebb and Flo picture books from the show, to be published by Graffeg in 2025.
David Griffiths: Portraits
29 August 2024
A collection of famous faces feature in this collection of portraits by David Griffiths
Hardback | 128 pages
250 x 250mm | £30.00
David Griffiths soon established himself as one of the nation’s foremost portrait painters after Graduating from the Slade School of Art. His subjects have included many of the most eminent figures in contemporary society: royalty, ambassadors, archbishops and distinguished members of the government, industry, medicine and academic and legal professions. David is based in Cardiff.
EVENTS IN AUGUST
Children's Storytelling: Frog's Bog
Leith Hill Place, Dorking, Surrey,
National Trust Property
11:00am, 02 August 2024
Join local author Marielle Bayliss for a reading from her book Frog's Bog. Plus enjoy fun frog facts, frog jokes and activity sheets to take home or complete in the library. Suitable for ages 2-6 years.
ABC of Opera at the
National Eisteddfod 2024
Pentref Plant, National Eisteddfod,
Rhondda Cynon Taf
12:00pm, 04 August 2024
Leave the land of song as you open TRUNK and travel back to 1597 to the land of pizza and pasta. Meet Academi Benwan the composer, Professore Peri, Lully Anlwcus, Tortellini Rossini, Windy Wolfie and a host of others as well a few Welsh heroes. Join ABC for a fun interactive adventurous workshop packed with stories and music.
Sue Kent at
Shrewsbury Flower Show
Shrewbury Flower Show
9–10 August 2024
Sue Kent, author of the accessible, perennial gardening notebook Garden Notes, will be one of the celebrity gardeners at this year's Shrewsbury Flower Show.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Catch up on recent releases and news in last month's July News.
Below are a selection of stories you may have missed.
Jack Brock Author
Ali Stearn Featured in Country Life
Author and illustrator Ali Stearn, whose first children's picture book, Jack Brock, will be published on 19 September 2024, has been featured in a profile by Country Life. Together the pair have raised thousands for dementia charities.
Bucked in the Yarn
Launched at
Dawe's Twineworks
British Wildlife Photography Awards
Exhibition
This renowned exhibition celebrates British wildlife and wild spaces through a collection of inspirational images, showcasing the best of our natural heritage, and opened at Nature in Art, Gloucester, on 23rd July, running until 1st September. Entry to this exhibition is included in the admission price to the museum.
Melita Thomas
at Harvington Hall
History Festival
1000 Tudor People author Melita Thomas discussed the book at this year's Harvington History Festival on 27th July, vividly revealing many fascinating stories based on her meticulous research.