The Festival of Ice and Snow by Angie Cui illustrated by Anna Wilson

"As the sun sets, the massive ice sculptures sparkly with multicoloured lights. 
It's like being inside a kaleidoscope."

Sometimes a memory or a fragment of a memory can be the impetus for a moving personal story. This book is based on the author's own childhood memory of visiting the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in China. Angie Cui writes her story in both English and simplified Chinese.

The character I liked most in this story is the grandfather - he is brave enough to go on a 500 metre slide but not so sure about riding on the Ferris wheel.  I also loved the way he shared delicious sweet treats with his granddaughter and her cousin. There is a joy also in this story where we witness the shared experience of a child with their grandfather and the special memories they are creating.

The 210-meter-high Snowflake Ferries Wheel is absolutely another crowd favorites. A 20-minute ride treats you to breathtaking panoramic views of the entire Ice and Snow World in winter—especially spectacular at sunset and night. In summer, you'll be greeted by the lush, green wetlands lining both sides of the Songhua River.

You can see the giant Ferris Wheel in this photo:

I learnt a few new food names in this book: Madieer ice cream; and tanghulu (candied hawthorns, grapes, strawberries or pineapple).

Tanghulu are candied fruits popular in China as street food that combine the natural beauty of fresh fruit with a sweet sugar coating. It is carried by a bamboo stick or skewer. You can find it everywhere on the street, especially on cold winter days near the Chinese New Year. Typically Tanghuluis are made with hawthorn berries, which is a hard and sour fruit, but you can make Tanghulu with other favorite fruits.

This book could also be a jumping off point if you are talking about China - the story mentions The Great Wall and the Forbidden City and of course you will want to find a map so you can locate Harbin in Northern China.

Anna Wilson is sure to have enjoyed exploring the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. There are so many fabulous photos you can search for showing the ice sculptures and the lights.

The Harbin Ice and Snow World is the largest ice and snow theme park in the world, officially certified by Guinness World Records. ...  The park features over 2,000 ice and snow sculptures that blend cultural heritage with immersive tech-light effects, surpassing the monotonous displays found in most other countries. ... the Harbin Ice and Snow World has opened for 27 consecutive years. Each year, it builds delicate ice and snow sculptures under different themes. Visitors can marvel at the dazzling night views illuminated by colorful lights, participate in winter sports, snow shows, and other unique activities. To ensure a cozy and comfortable experience even in the bone-chilling cold, heated rest areas and warm food halls are readily available across the park. Source

This is a new book which will be released tomorrow. Thank you to UQP for my advance copy. Here are the teachers notes for The Festival of Ice and Snow (but I do suggest you and your young reading companion or class or library group plan to read and enjoy this book before you share some of the teaching idea ideas which analyse the page designs, word choices and illustrations).

You will recognise the name Angie Cui from her book My Mum is a Bird. It was a CBCA 2026 Notable title but I am sorry to say it is a book that just didn't resonate with me.

I previously talked about these books illustrated by Anna Wilson. I thought she was from the UK but now I discover she lives in Castlemaine, Victoria:

The Librarian's Stories

Love Birds

A taste of Home

And I have these books on my 'to read' list for a long time:

If the idea of visiting an ice and snow theme park interests you (it most certainly interests me!) I found this table comparing the Harbin event with others from around the world:

Finally take a look at this post about the book Our World Full of Wonder - if you visit China you might also like to see Rainbow Mountain China (Zhangye National Geopark).

Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children's Books

Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children's Books is a museum and visitor centre dedicated to children's literature and based in the Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne, close to the city's regenerated Quayside. The renovated Victorian mill in which it is housed has seven levels.

Why seven? The theory is that there are seven story topics or themes:

• Quest
• Overcoming the Monster
• Rags to Riches
• Voyage and Return
• Tragedy
• Rebirth
• Comedy

In 2012 I attended the London IBBY Congress and that is when I first heard about Seven Stories which opened in 2005. Actually, while I was at the London event I visited a similar museum in Oxford which was just about to open - The Story Museum. 

After attending the 2024 IBBY Congress in Trieste I travelled to Newcastle-on-Tyne so I could spend a day at Seven Stories. Unfortunately, possibly because it was a Monday, no one was there. I had hoped to meet an administrator or a member of the museum staff. I did email several times prior to my visit and I followed and commented on their social media posts over the previousl weeks. Seven Stories does open on a Monday so I went along to the first story time of the day with Tom (see below). Oddly I was the only one there. Tom reads a picture book three times a day on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and once each hour on the weekend. I also met the education staff who were very busy preparing for several school visits the following week. On my visit Tom read Into the Forest by Anthony Browne.

The exhibitions in Seven Stories at the time of my visit were - Judith Kerr and The Tiger who Came to Tea; Judith Kerr and the Mog series; Bob Graham original art from Jethro Byrd Fairy child winner of the 2002 Kate Greenaway Medal; art by Helen Craig for her Angelina Ballerina series; Tony Ross; Nicholas Allen; and Helen Cooper. The bookshop also had some wonderful picture books, middle grade and YA titles for sale. 

I was thrilled by one display. A display case with the author notebook showing the inspiration for this dystopian novel. I adored the book Where the River Runs Gold by Sita Brahmachari. 

If you are in the UK or you live in the UK do go to Seven Stories but take some children - ideally aged 4-8. There are interactive activities, dressing up clothes, small stages, colouring pages, and creative spaces on every level along with tons of books which are scattered around ready to read. 

The other thing I sadly missed out on this visit was an exploration of the archives. These are held in the city library and are available if you make an appointment. I discovered this on the day of my visit, so I was too late to make a booking. If I had been able to prepare for this, I might have asked to see the box with 45 pieces relating to Sunshine by Jan Ormerod, or work by PJ Lynch (9 pieces including Catkin), or Martin Waddell, or Barbara Firth or Angela Barrett (The Snow Queen). They have:

• Over 250 authors and illustrators  
• Book collection of over 36,000 texts  
• 1000 metres of shelving = about 10 football pitches long! 
• Material is stored in over 2500 boxes 
• The oldest item is almost 250 years old! 

Britain has a wonderful heritage of writing and illustration for children – from The Famous Five to We're Going on a Bear Hunt, British children’s books are among the best known and most widely read in the world. Seven Stories are the custodians of a unique and ever-growing national archive of modern and contemporary British children’s literature dating from the 1930s to the present. Our Collection includes artwork, manuscripts, dummy books, correspondence, editors notes, proofs, and anything else that helps us explore how books are created. The collection includes material by over 250 authors and illustrators including Enid Blyton, Philip Pullman, Robert Westall, Judith Kerr, Edward Ardizzone and Kaye Webb.

Here are the addresses:

Seven Stories
The National Centre for Children’s Books
30 Lime Street, Ouseburn
Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 2PQ

City Library

Charles Avison Building

33 New Bridge Street West

Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8AX

If you live in Australia, we do have our own National Centre for Australian Children's Literature in Canberra. They have a wealth of resources and fabulous databases and from time to time they host exhibitions. 

And after your visit Seven Stories you should also head up the road to The Biscuit Factory - it's an art space with painting, sculpture, jewelry and more all for sale plus a bonus wonderful cafe. The Seven Stories cafe is quite basic so I highly recommend heading to The Biscuit Factory instead. I had the most delicious meal there. 

Brian Wildsmith exhibition South Yorkshire

For the first time Brian’s personal collection of over 40 colourful original illustrations, early works, drawings and paintings will be on display in the beautiful setting of the Cooper Gallery. The walls will be filled with colour and vivid characters. It’s a perfect destination for art lovers of all ages and our younger visitors can enjoy our specially created forest activity area ‘Brian’s Wild Wood’, upstairs in the Sadler Room.

Read more about this exhibition here. And also here on the Brian Wildsmith web page. I hope to visit later this month. He illustrated well over 100 books and also did many book covers early early in his career. He illustrated the cover of our Australian book Tangara by Nan Chauncy in 1960. 

Liberty fabrics have made a range of material to celebrate his work and in the video you can hear Brian Wildsmith's voice. 

Brian Lawrence Wildsmith was born on 22 January 1930 in Penistone. In 1946 he enrolled at the Barnsley School of Art. In 1962 he was Awarded the Kate Greenaway medal for his work on the book, ‘ABC’. His vibrant use of colour and depictions of animals became his trademark. In the 1970s Brian and his family moved permanently to France. In 1994 a Brian Wildsmith Art Museum was opened in Izu-kogen, in the south of Tokyo in Japan, closing the year he died in 2016. (source Barnsley Museums Blog) Read more here. 

Here are some Kirkus review comments:

• As usual with Wildsmith's work, the animals and birds are superb ...
• ... no one should forgo Wildsmith's delectable art with its delicately glowing colors and wonderfully imaginative juxtapositions of harmonious images.
• Wildsmith has outdone himself in splendid paintings of a lush tropical isle aglow between a richly luminous sky and a gloriously beautiful sea.

This gorgeous budgie illustration comes from his book Circus:

This sweet little hedgehog is from his book Wild Animals

You can see cover images of all books by Brian Wildsmith here. My own favourites are:

Daisy

I used to own these glorious alphabet cards and animal cards (hope the person who has them now loves them as much as I did).

Animal Gallery the cover at the top of this post is a book about collective nouns - a pride of lions; a corps of giraffes; a wedge of swans; a party of rainbow fish; a stare of owls; and more.

Awards:

1963 Kate Greenaway Medal: The Lion and the Rat.

Kate Greenaway Medal: The Oxford Book of Poetry for Children.

1964 Horn Book Honor List. 

New York Times Book Review List of Outstanding Books.

1965 The Brooklyn Art Books for Children Citation: 1 2 3.

New York Times Book Review List of Outstanding Books.

1966 Hans Christian Andersen Award: runner-up.

New York Times Book Review List of Outstanding Books. 

1967 The Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal: Birds.

New York Times: Best illustrated book of the year: Birds.

New York Times Book Review List of Outstanding Books.

1968 Hans Christian Andersen Award: runner up.

1971 Kate Greenaway Medal: The Owl and the Woodpecker.

1982 Kurt Maschler Award short-listed: Pelican.

1991 Ushio Publication Culture Award: In recognition of his distinguished achievements.

1994 Selected as one of The Children’s Books of the Year: The Easter Story.

1995 The CD Rom of: The Christmas Story, won the Grand Prix of European Multi-Media.

1998 National Jewish Book Awards, Finalist: Exodus/Moses.

2000 Parent Council Ltd, Selected as outstanding: The Easter Story.

Children’s Literature, Choice List: Moses.

2001 - 2002 Children’s Crown Award reading Programs, Nominee List: Moses.

2005 Book Sense, Easter/Passover, Top Ten Picks List: Moses.

Meet the illustrator Mark Wilson

 

Image source: Kids' Book Review

Begin here with Mark Wilson's web page.

Mark Wilson generously donated a piece of original art for our recent IBBY Australian mini masterpiece art auction.  Moonlight over the Bay. And Mark has generously supported IBBY with other art pieces in the past for our member events. 

From the Booked out Speakers agency:

What are you passionate about?

I am determined to encourage young children to have confidence in telling and illustrating their own stories. I am also passionate about conservation and the environment, and deal with these subjects in my books and workshops.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?

Have confidence in your own writing and drawing. Like anything else, it just takes practice. Also look into your family history and record the stories you find there. You will find that truth can be stranger than fiction.

Today I will meet Mark Wilson in person! He has an exhibition at Dromkeen, Riddells Creek, Victoria. Read more about Dromkeen homestead here. His newest book is Caroline - see inside here. 

Subbie and his mate

Rachel's War

I mention Flapper VC in this post

A CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) Notable title 2023

A Day to Remember - the story of ANZAC Day

Awards:

2018 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA)Book of the Year Award: Notable Picture Book

Flapper, VC

2018 Young Australian’s Best Book Award (YABBA): Shortlisted Picture Book

Flapper, VC

2016 Whitley Award for Children’s Literature

Migaloo: The White Whale

2015 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Eve Pownall Award: Notable Children’s Book

The Afghanistan Pup

2015 OLQP Picture Book of the Year Award

The Afghanistan Pup

2014 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Award: Notable Picture Book

Vietnam Diary

2014 West Australian Young Readers’ Award: Shortlisted Picture Book

Ben and Gracies Art Adventure 

2013 Whitley Award for Children’s Literature

Deepsea Whale Rescue 

2013 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Award: Notable Picture Book

A Day to Remember – with Jackie French

2013 Aurealis Award 2013 : Shortlisted

Inside The World of Tom Roberts 

2013 White Ravens Award

Trust Me Too  – Illustrated short story collection (Top 250 books from around the world, prepared by the International Youth Library).              

Various Authors & Illustrators, edited by Paul Collins, Ford Street

2011 Dromkeen Medal

Services to Children’s Literature

The Dromkeen Medal, initiated in 1982, is bestowed annually to an Australian resident for outstanding achievement in the creation of Australian children's and young adult literature. The Dromkeen Medal was designed by Robert Ingpen and depicts the Dromkeen Homestead, a sickle moon and boughs of wattle. Previous Medal recipients include celebrated children's book illustrators and authors such as Alison Lester, Shaun Tan, Bronwyn Bancroft, Ruth Park, Andy Griffiths, Ercia Wagner, John Marsden and Graeme Base. 

2011 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Award: Notable Picture Book

Angel of Kokoda

2011 Wilderness Society – Environment Award for Children’s Literature: Shortlisted Picture Book

Stranded with Jan Ramage

2010 Whitley Award for Children’s Literature

Journey of The Sea Turtle 

2010 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Award: Notable Picture Book

My Mother’s Eyes, The Story of a Boy Soldier 

2008 Wilderness Society – Environment Award for Children’s Literature: Shortlisted Picture Book

The Last Tree

2008 Whitley Award for Children’s Literature

The Last Tree

2006 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Award: Notable Picture Book

Young Murphy-A Boy’s Adventure with Gary Crew

2005 Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards: Shortlist

Rodeo Darcy with Alison Gregory

2005 Whiteley Award for Children’s Literature

I Said Nothing, The Extinction of the Paradise Parrot with Gary Crew

2004 Whitley Award for Children’s Literature 

I Saw Nothing, The Extinction of the Thylacine, with Gary Crew

2004 Wilderness Society – Environment Award for Children’s Literature

The extinction series – Mark Wilson and Gary Crew

     I Saw Nothing, The Extinction of the Thylacine

     I Said Nothing, The Extinction of the Paradise Parrot

     I Did Nothing, The Extinction of the Gastric Brooding Frog.                     

2004 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Award: Notable Picture Book

I Saw Nothing, The Extinction of the Thylacine, with Gary Crew

2003 Wilderness Society – Environment Award for Children’s Literature

Yellow-eye, with David Spillman

2003 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Award: Notable Picture Book

Yellow-eye, with David Spillman

1996 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Award: Notable Picture Book

The Penguin Shore, with Tim O’Brien

Dromkeen Medal recipients:

2018    John Marsden

2017    Erica Wagner

2016    Alison Lester

2015    Andy Griffiths

2014    Helen Chamberlin

2012    Patricia Mullins

2011    Libby Gleeson AM

2010    Shaun Tan

2009    Bronwyn Bancroft

2008    Ruth Park

2007    Dr Patricia Edgar

2006    Walter McVitty

2005    Roland Harvey

2004    Margaret Hamilton

2003    Ivan Southall

2002    Ann James

2001    Julie Watts

2000    Paul Jennings

1999    Barbara Ker Wilson

1998    Graeme Base

1997    Colin Thiele

1996    Dr Belle Alderman

1995    Jennifer Rowe

1994    Agnes Nieuwenhuizen

1993    Alf Mappin

1992    Julie Vivas

1991    Robin Klein

1990    Mem Fox

1989    Robert Ingpen

1988    Patricia Scott

1987    Joan Phipson

1986    Albert Ullin

1985    Anne Bower Ingram

1984    Patricia Wrightson

1983    Maurice Saxby

1982    Lu Rees

WONDER: Wordless Picture Books by 7 artists from South Korea

 

When you begin to read the stories of picture books without words, the question mark now hovering over your head will become an exclamation mark of amazement.

This week I visited this exhibition Wonder: Wordless Picture Books -  in Sydney with two friends and we all agreed this is one of VERY BEST picture book exhibitions we have ever attended. One friend commented "The curator has done a superb job ... (the author of the commentary) is a real wordsmith."

The exhibition features books, original illustrations, preliminary sketches, drawings, artists’ video and ephemera from 7 Korean artists; Nahye, Hyungshik Nam, Inkyung Noh, Barim, Gihun Lee, Sumi Lee and JiHyeon Lee.

Why was this exhibition so special?

• Lots of space to move around allowing you to stand back and then move in closer to view the art
• Generous examples of art from the featured books by the seven Korean illustrators
• A shelf under every illustrator profile with a collection of the books to read
• An activity table for young children
• A small library shelf area with all the books from the exhibition and many more Korean picture books along with comfy seating for children and parents
• Intriguing wordless or as we call them in IBBY Silent books for all ages from very young children through to adults - we found ourselves exclaiming over so many of them
• We puzzled over the images of whales in so many of the books (see the whale from Pool below)
• A table display of artist materials and techniques (it was difficult not to touch this display)
• A very informative and huge video display where the seven artists discuss their work
• Places to sit and read and read and read - make sure you peel back any dust jackets to reveal the surprises often found underneath

This description of the exhibition and the way wordless books work is so beautifully expressed:

We feel disconcerted when we open a book without words. And then we wonder, what does this book want to tell us? Instead of ‘reading words’ as we are accustomed to, we concentrate on paying attention to the pictures and ‘reading the story of pictures.’ Picture book artists create a story from pictures, which is complete when the people who read it add to the story with their imagination. 

The artists who create picture books without words meticulously consider and plan each picture’s colour, composition, page layout and pagination to build this visual literacy. They also use the synergy that often occurs with the juxtaposition of multiple images.

These seven Korean picture book artists are renowned in Korea and around the world for their diverse techniques, compositions and unique subjects. With their works, we are drawn into a variety of different stories. 

Her books are Pool; Door; A Strange House; and Last Island

Read more about Pool here. And see inside the book here.

Whale from Pool

Book: Find "One day a child unexpectedly turns into a bear ... "

Book: Running

Book: The Breath

Book: Swish, Tap Tap Boom!

Books: The Egg; The Tin Bear; and 09.47 

Book: In the Museum

My favourite books (so far - I am going back next week) were The Breath, A Strange House and Pool. I will add more photos to this post after my next visit. IBBY focus on wordless books which they call Silent Books - read more here. I do hope many of the books from this selection have been submitted to IBBY for the Lampedusa collections. Korean illustrator Suzy Lee won the Hans Christian Andersen award in 2022, her work is not part of this exhibition but a number of her wordless or silent books have been included by IBBY in their Silent Book collections. 

If you visit this exhibition in Sydney you could also call into the State Library of NSW to see their illustration exhbition - Imagine.