Meet the illustrator Clotilde Perrin

Last weekend I visited one of our independent bookstores here in Sydney - The Constant Reader. How lucky are we to have a shop like this - with one whole store just for kids! One of the staff showed me a few of her new discoveries and among them were several books by Clotilde Perrin - we both gushed over the fabulous books available from Gecko Press and talked about how wonderful that they translate books from around the world into English for our readers. (Scroll down on this link to see her Gecko Press titles). The bookseller especially loves the delightfully named book The Kerfuffle. I have added it to my Pinterest of books that feature walls. 

Here is a quote from Clotilde Perrin's web page: I was born in the Vosges in France. My father made paper by hand, my mother drew. And in this mountain, you can meet wild beasts as well as imaginary beings. The dark fir trees of the Vosges forests have inspired me more than once. I also have fantastic memories of reading Arnold Lobel's "Porculus," John S. Goodall's "Jacko," Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and Michael Ende's "The Neverending Story." I was also terrified by the monsters of Etienne Delessert and the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch. Thus began my journey into images and the desire to share them.

Clotilde Perrin is an illustrator and author living in Strasbourg, France. She has published over 30 books including the international lift-the-flap bestseller Inside the Villains. Here is her Instagram page.

In this interview with Books for Keeps Clotilde talks about her book The Remarkables. 

Two of the books that I saw that 'blew my mind' were these although I am not sure they can really be added to a school library - better as gifts for an individual child:

Bookseller blurb: An extraordinary pop-up book that reveals the secrets of the most famous fairy-tale villains-the giant, the wolf and the witch-with interactive flaps, a twist on well-known tales, and personality cards for each villain. Lift the flaps to see the diabolical thoughts inside the villains' heads, what hides beneath their disguises, or the victims of their last meals (now comfortably settled inside their stomachs!). Read all about each villain on their personality card, which shows strengths and weaknesses, pastimes, physical characteristics, their best meal and-of course-their favorite books. And if the wolf bites your fingers while you're reading, you can always pull his tail... 

Read the Kirkus Star review. This book is huge/tall - you might get a shock when you see it. 

Bookseller blurb: Are you lost? Come in! You’re in luck there’s no one here just now Shhh… Be as quiet as you can, and very, very careful! In The House of Madame M, we explore a strange house: hallway, living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Each room is full of surprises to make even the bravest shiver. Are we in the house of an ogre? A witch? Something else altogether? This visit to Madame M’s brings the thrill of finding what lurks in the wardrobe, behind the door, tucked under the furniture. Full of humour and detail, it will mesmerise readers of all ages. This book has 25 flaps, pull tabs and other secrets hide jokes and spine-shivering surprises.

The most, and best, (pop-up) haunted house in decades. Kirkus Star review

I haven't talked about this book here but I have seen this one from 2014:

A very fine working of story, information, art and culture. Kirkus Star review

Here is a partial book list of titles by Clotilde Perrin (Note some may only be available in French). You can see all the titles here:

Heart of a Witch (November 2026)

Blades of grass (August 2025)

The confusion (April 2025)

Such cute ogrillons (November 2023)

The Remarkables or the most amazing children I have met (October 2023)

Ha! In a monstrous game of hide-and-seek (October 2021)

Inside the suitcase (October 2020)

Madame M’s House (October 2019)

Hurry, hurry, hurry! (October 2019)

Gotcha! – A Funny Fairy Tale Hide-and-Seek

The Garden of Inside-Outside by Chiara Mezzalama illustrated by Regis Lejonic translated by Sarah Ardizzone

"Why do people wage wars?' I used to ask her. 

'Sometimes, people grow mad - with anger, with hatred - they lose their grip on words 

and choose weapons instead. 
The truth is I don't know the answer to your question."

In 1979, the Shah of Iran was overthrown by the Islamic Revolution. On 4th November 1979 fifty-two American diplomats and citizens were taken hostage in their embassy. They were held there for 444 days. During this time the father of the author of this book was appointed Italy's ambassador to Iran. This story begins in the summer of 1981.

Inside the children have a place to play filled with flowers and insects and ponds and hiding places. Outside "gunfire, exploding bombs and cries drowned out every sound."

"The city had grown. So had the women and men. People queued for food. Everywhere there were soldiers with heavy boots and big beards, their riffles slung across their shoulders. The city-monster made us feel very frightened."

One day a little boy from outside finds a way to come inside their garden. The children do not share a language, but they do share their imaginations. They play a game of princes and princesses set in times past where people were free to play music and dance and enjoy beautiful things. After their game the little girl tries to give a gift to the boy, but he rejects her t-shirt and flees. He is gone for a long time but when he eventually returns he has a gift for the girl.

"It wasn't a gift. It was a swap."

With exquisitely detailed and evocative images recalling fairy tales and exploring Iran’s artistic heritage – fantasies and ideas about Iran swirling together with glimpsed experiences – this book offers an unusual and breathtaking perspective on conflict: it’s noisy and terrifying even from the safety of their diplomatic compound, so how must it feel out there on the street? This is also a story of childhood defiance and testing barriers. It’s a timely reminder to adults that while we put up barriers to keep our children safe, they still need space to rebel, to find their own freedom and privacy. But above all, it’s a book about the need for friendship, even when there is no common language. Chiara has her brother, but he’s not the same. Her agony is real when she worries she has scared Massoud off or insulted him by offering him a gift of her t-shirt to replace his torn one. She fears she won’t see him again. But he does brave the jump over the wall again, wearing her t-shirt, and he gives her something, a tiny cat carved out of wood. “It wasn’t a gift, it was a swap.” They couldn’t talk, they didn’t know each for long, but they had both entered each other’s lives and made a lasting impression. Book Island Instagram

The Garden of Inside-Outside was first published in French as Le jardin du dedans-dehors, Les Editions des Elephants, France, 2017. Here is some background reading for teachers.

More than a story of childhood fantasy, this book provides a powerful treatise on civil war and its impact on young lives, on both sides of any political conflict. It raises interesting philosophical thoughts for readers of all ages on the futility of war and the power of friendship to overcome political, cultural and physical barriers. IBBY.uk

With war and political division as widespread and relevant today, this is a touching story about breaching walls and bridging cultures. The kindness of childhood friendship contrasts with the brutality of adult conflict. Inside the physically imprisoning garden wall, the children establish trust, overcome misunderstanding and find freedom, while terror grips the city outside. The bright colours and black outlines of the illustrations capture effectively both the bloody, unyielding horrors of war and the vivid dream-world of the children as they explore the garden. Children's Books Ireland

You can see inside this book here. 

The publisher Book Island have some teachers resources which include:

• Introduction by the publisher (video) (She mentions the Book Island author interview but this is no longer available).
• Interview with the illustrator (video)
• Art class with the illustrator (PDF): draw your own marvellous garden in eight steps
• Drama activities (PDF), including suitcase stories and soundscapes
• Narration of the story
• Teaching notes written by Dr Ann Alston

Here is an interview with the illustrator Regis Lejonic with Library Mice.

I am not entirely sure about the audience for The Garden of Inside-Outside. I am going to suggest this is a picture book for older readers from Grades 5-8. You could most certainly use the illustrator video interview with a High School art group. See full size images from the book. I put graphic novel as a descriptor but this book is not exactly a graphic novel nor is it a conventional picture book. 

Régis Lejonc is a French illustrator, cartoonist, screen writer and author. He has illustrated over 60 books and was the first French illustrator to win the prestigious Prix Sorcières, the French Independent Booksellers’ Award twice in one year. 

Here are some other books about walls for older readers:

Suri's Wall

With older students you could used these novels as companion reads:

The wall between us

A Great escape

Bruno by Catharina Valckx illustrated by Nicolas Hubesch translated by Antony Shugaar

It would be fun to read this book to class when the children return to school perhaps. Teachers sometimes set the dreaded "what did you do in the holidays" writing task for their class. It might be fun to reverse this and ask the class to describe an ordinary day with friends or family. 

This book was published in 2017 by the wonderful Gecko Press. They sure do find some quirky and fun books to translate! Bruno has good days, bad days, so-so days, and even one perfect day. He is joined by his friends Ringo, the old pony; Bup, the fish; Georgette, the turtledove; and Tweety the mixed-up canary.

There are six 'chapters' in this book or rather six days with various, slightly inconsequential yet quirky, fun, odd and for Bruno even slightly annoying events.

Walker Books (agent for Gecko Press in Australia) blurb: Bruno, the cat in the checkered cap, takes life as it comes. When it’s too rainy to go outside, his friends come around for breakfast. When a fish invites him into the river, he follows it. Why not! When the canary forgets how to talk, Bruno helps out. Days come and go, and for Bruno they always bring something interesting. And once in a while, a day comes along that is just about perfect!

Readers and listeners with a taste for the quietly surreal may find this an (almost) perfect option; the rest will find other ways to fill their days, and that’s OK. Kirkus

Betsy Bird included this book in her Early Chapter book list of 2017. 

Bruno does contain the word 'stupid'. I know from past experience this word sometimes shocks young children. As always you do need to read this book for yourself before sharing it with a group of children.

Here are two other books that I loved by Catharina Vlackx:

Lisette's Green Sock

Zanzibar

A Swallow in Winter - A Christmas Miracle by Timothée de Fombelle illustrated by Thomas Campi

"Sitting in his van for hours, he would brood over the great unrest of our times, how everything had gone to rack and ruin, invaded, unrecognisable."

"This call, Gloria sensed, was intended for her alone and for her freedom. Somebody was waiting for her, up north."

"Gloria was determined to understand everything. Sorrow, loves, wars, even children's games. During her long voyages in springtime and at the summer's end, Gloria roamed battlefields and burnt-out residential blocks. She followed wedding processions and families taking to the road in search of peace."

Every so often I read a book that just makes me sigh with happiness and marvel at the power and wonder of storytelling. With a book like this one - A Swallow in Winter - I want to rush out and buy a handful of copies to keep in my bag - why? Because I would love to thrust this book (and others such as Wishtree by Katherine Applegate and Captain Rosalie also by Timothee de Fombelle) into the hands of adults who challenge my love of children's books, who scoff at my passion for reading, almost exclusively, books written for children. At nearly every social occasion, especially over Christmas, I endure this kind of censure and I guess you can tell it annoys me.

I have listed this book as a French picture book but really it is a novella. It is a small, almost hand-sized volume with full colour and full page rich illustrations. A Swallow in Winter was written in 2019 in French and translated by Sarah Ardizzone into English in 2022. The French title is Quelqu'un m'attend derrière la neige. Take a look here to see inside this book. 

There are three narrative threads in this story. The swallow from the title has decided not to follow her instinct to fly south and instead she has headed to the North on this cold snowy winter night. Her decision has come following an accident many years ago where she crashed into the coloured window of a church. Later we discover her name is Gloria.

The second narrative thread is where we meet a man who drives an ice cream van. Freddy d'Angelo has worked for the gelato company - Pepino & schultz for thirty-seven years. It is Christmas Eve and he is driving from Genoa to London. His van contains six hundred tubs in two flavours - almond milk and chestnut. 

"Freddy had been counting. It would soon be a hundred days since anybody had spoken to him properly."

So we have a tiny bird flying through the cold night. We have a lonely man in his truck who has never even tasted the ice cream he delivers. But what of the third narrative thread? Sorry dear reader but I am not going to share this with you. I will only say the ending of this story is sure to surprise, delight and shock you. At the end of this small volume Timothee de Fombelle will take you to an extraordinary story destination. 

Thomas Campi is an Italian illustrator. One critic said "Delicately put into images by the Italian cartoonist Thomas Campi, who produces almost every two pages of superb illustrations in warm and rich colours, this text proves to be as unclassifiable as its heroes."

This might be a spoiler but take a close look at this illustration:

In this short French video, Timothee de Fombelle reads from his book - and you can hear a soft sound track of Frank Sinatra which Freddy, the truck driver, plays on his old cassette player all year round.

When the three destinies meet, it seems their search for hope, belonging and kindness has finally ended. An atmospheric and heart-warming story, perfect for this very special time of year. Reading Zone

And ... by Philippe Jalbert

"No! Don't touch the butterfly! If you do, it will fly away and ... "

Open to the very first page of this book and stop - the story has begun. A little girl sees a pretty butterfly hovering near a red flower. She crouches down for a closer look but her mother says - no! If you touch this butterfly it will fly away, a flower petal will fall and it will land on a dung beetle and his ball of dung will roll into a river and this will cause the water to rise and the dam wall will break and ...

"I promise I won't touch the butterfly, and ... "

Make sure you turn to the very last page because it is the perfect 'oh no' moment.

This book was originally published in French with the title Et...  Take a look at other books by Philippe Jalbert.

Here is another other picture book about the butterfly effect:

And here are my favourite books about actions and consequences:

The Night Walk by Marie Dorléans Translated by Polly Lawson

It is the middle of the night. Mum wakes up the two children. There is no grumbling. The family set off in the into the darkness. They can hear the crickets and smell the honeysuckle. The big hotel is still awake and the last house in the village "was almost asleep. It had one eye open."

The small group of four keeping walking out of the village and up the path through the forest. At the lake they see a wondrous sight of the full moon reflected in the water but this is not their final destination. Mum suggests they lie down on the grass to see the "vast, glittering sky." After a short rest the family continue their climb up the hillside over rocks guided only by torch light. 

"We got there just in time. We watched for a moment. And then ..."

Where were they going?  Why did they walk through the night? What did they see?

This beautiful and evocative book movingly recalls family trips and the excitement of unknown adventure, while celebrating the awe-inspiring power of the natural world. Floris Books

Never hurried, this eloquent story is a beautifully measured tale not unlike one giant inhale (the journey) followed by a long, happy exhale (the closing spreads). Pick up a copy and make a night of it. Julie Danielson for BookPage

The Night Walk (French title Nous Avons Rendez-vous) was awarded the Prix Landerneau, in the best children's picture book category.  Marie Dorléans is the author of The Epic Race.

Blob The Ugliest animal in the World by Joy Sorman illustrated by Olivier Tallec translated by Sarah Klinger

"Every year, Blob has made this difficult journey. Every year, he has stood before the jury, hoping to win the famous contest. But so far he has come in only second or third."

"Blob, we are counting on you to represent the ugly animals of land, sea and sky with elegance and pride."

What is this contest? The answer lies in the sub title - the ugliest animal in the world.

Previous winners have been a frog from Lake Titicaca, a Kapapo parakeet, and a Sea Pig. This year Blob is announced as:

"Blob, the fish! Consider his slimy and stunning array of facial features, his sea monster allure, his faceless silhouette, his formidably formless physique, and his sad sheepish demeanour."

It would have been fun to share this book when we were exploring the 2020 CBCA Book Week slogan Curious Creatures Wild Minds. Some of the "unusual" animals mentioned in this book are:

• The Bald Uakari Monkey
• The Naked Mole Rat
• The Aye Aye Lemur
• The Star-nosed Mole
• The Proboscius Monkey
• The Axolotl
• The Vietnamese Leaf-nosed Bat

I read some less positive reviews of this book but I think this book is both funny and also an astute commentary on popularity.  I am sure Blob will be appreciated by an older primary group and junior secondary students. This book is almost a graphic novel. In France it was first published with the title: Blob, l'animal le plus laid de monde.

Some funny parts of this story which could be used in a discussion with older students:

"... now great designers dress him, famous actresses pose with him, autograph collections hound him and fans beg to rub his slimy body for good luck" - How does this make you feel? How does this make Blob feel? Will his fame last? Why is this happening to Blob?

"Despite his baldness, Blob becomes the official spokesperson for the annual Global Hairstyling Conference." Why do you think this has happened? Discuss the idea of something being absurb.

Olivier Tallec includes a 'photo album' where we see Blob with Queen Elizabeth; The Dali Lama and others. Are there other famous people Blob could be photographed with? Why did you choose these people? Take a look here to see some illustrations from this book.

"Suddenly, he needs round the clock attention, caviar for breakfast, and of course a private jet. He fires his makeup artist without provocation and cancels appearances at the last minute. His tantrums are lengendy." This book was first published in 2015 - is that significant when considered in relation to the way Blob is behaving? 

Tallec's illustrations really steal the show, though, with oblong, corpulent Blob donning shades as he mugs with models and rappers, looking balefully out his penthouse window as his reign nears its end, and holding court with other underwater life when he returns home with his tales of glory.  Bulletin of the Centre for Children's Books

I would link this book with these. Sammy Streetsinger would make an excellent comparison text:

Forever by Beatrice Alemagna

"There are lots of things in life that don't last forever. 

Sometimes things change."

Using beautiful transparent overlays for each action or concept or idea in this book the reader is taken from before to after. We sleep then open our eyes; a scrape from a bike accident might not even leave a mark; soap bubble and musical sounds drift away; and tears always dry up.

Beatrice Alemagna is an Italian illustrator. Forever was originally published in French under the title Les choses qui s'en vont.  Forever would is a book you should add to your school library collection and it is one to also share with art teachers and anyone interested in exquisite book design. Take a look here to see more of the pages.

Beatrice Alemagna has published 30 books for children and they are translated into Swedish, English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, German, Greek, Portuguese, Polish, Dutch, Lithuanian. Here are some of her previous books I have shared on this blog:

The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty

Annie Lumsden, the girl from the sea

What is a child?

My pictures after the storm by Eric Veille

I have begun collecting books translated into English. Gecko Press always publish some fabulous examples. My pictures after the storm is a quirky book or perhaps a better word as used by Gecko is 'funky'. If you share this book with a young child you are sure to find lots to talk about. This book was published in 2017 and it is still available.

My pictures ... After is the format. 

After the elephant; After lunch; After the baby; After some magic; and After the Hairdresser.

You may know Eric Veille from his previous book:

If you like the idea of opposites or exploring before and after try to find this book too. It is a little more sophisticated but you are sure to enjoy sharing it with your young reading companion:

The Epic Race by Marie Dorleans

"They're off. The competitors take off at a brisk pace, amid a deafening roar. The horses leap forward, the rides hold on tight, the spectators cheer. Meanwhile ..."

I love this word - meanwhile. The page turn is perfectly placed at this point. Turn the page and we see the riders at the back of group "still trying to cross the starting line." The officials disqualify the donkey, rocking horse and statue. But something crazy is happening. Some riders in the race are reclining on chairs, some have come off their mounts and are flying along holding the tail of the horse and one guy has attached a rocket to his back!

Wait a minute. As the horses almost reach the finish line a small white mouse steps onto the track. CRASH.  But one rider is determined to carry on - literally - carry on by carrying his horse on his own back all the way to the finish line!

"But alas, when the trophy is awarded, the rider doesn't quite get the prize he was hoping for ... "

Do you remember the scene in My Fair Lady at the races? The opening pages of The Epic Race

This is the PERFECT book to share with any Primary school class on Melbourne Cup day which might be why the Australian publisher Wilkins Farago invested in translating this book from French into English.  Translation by Philippine McDonald.

I would link this book with The Emperor's new Clothes Horse by Tony Wilson illustrated by Sue DeGennaro.

The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty by Beatrice Alemagna

Edith (Eddie) is determined to find the right birthday present for her mum. She over hears some words - fluffy, squishy, itty and bitty.  Armed with this knowledge she sets off into town.  The friendly shop keepers supply her with curious things, which is wonderful, but none are quite right. Here is a list of the things she collects:

Baker - warm sticky bun
Florist - four leaf clover
Fashion shop - pearl button
Antique shop - a rare stamp

It starts to snow so Eddie huddles under an awning. Luckily she looks up. On the roof she spies an adorable creature. "Not very tasty, not very stylish, but fluffy, squishy, strange and rare. It was a real Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty, the perfect present and useful for so many things!"

Now how can she retrieve this little creature.  Remember all of those things she collected earlier?  One reviewer describes this as a treasure hunt.  Then we discover each has a role to play in a simply delightful way.

This is a story with two halves which fit neatly together. The illustrations are filled with joy and colour. Eddie is a resourceful, polite and happy girl who makes some wonderful discoveries about the "marvellous" people in her town. Kirkus use the word "effervescent" and that seems perfect!

I have included the French, UK and USA covers above.  As I have mentioned previously I am again puzzled as to why the US market needed to change the title and the font.  The Marvellous Squishy Itty Bitty (under the title The wonderful fluffy little squishy) won the 2016 Mildred L Batchelder award. Take a look at Playing by the Book where you can see some ideas for using this book in your family and view the delightful Thames and Hudson book trailer. In this post Beatrice talks about writing and illustrating her book. Here is the web site for Beatrice Alemagna where you can see her other books.

There is so much to delight and discover in The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty that it’s hard to know where to start: the tongue-twisting title, the Paris streets and old shops windows crammed with things everyday things, the eye-popping pink highlights…Here is a classic picture book that readers from three and up will read again and again with delight. French Picture Books in English