Promotional Information

A beautiful children’s picture book from international bestseller Oliver Jeffers

About the Author

Oliver Jeffers is a fresh new talent in picture books. He graduated from The University of Ulster in 2001 with First Class honours and has since exhibited his paintings around the world. His outstanding talent has already been recognised by several high-profile awards, including the Nestle Children's Book Prize Gold Award, the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award and the Irish Children's Book of the Year.

Reviews

Praise for 'The Incredible Book Eating Boy' "Mouth-wateringly irresistible" The Guardian "This is a book that children will devour." The Observer "The whole thing looks good enough to eat." Times Educational Supplement A beautifully produced edition that really is good enough to eat." The Bookseller "With IBEB, Jeffers has produced his most appealing work yet, conjuring up a magical piece of fiction that is not only divinely illustrated and wittily told, but perfectly realised." Junior Praise for 'Lost and Found': 'An uplifting story!pictures of such spare beauty, suffused with a dreamlike quality.' Independent Online 'Oliver Jeffers makes impressive use of space in this affecting story of friendship. Illustrations capture feelings of loss and loneliness through the most delicate nuances of facial expression!and body language.' Julia Eccleshare, The Guardian 'Beautifully illustrated, simple warm story. Little children will love to share it.' Carousel 'Jeffers has a unique writing and illustrative style. It's a wonderful picture book.' Publishing News 'My picture book of the year, a joyful exploration of the power of friendship.' Irish Independent Praise for 'How to Catch a Star': 'The best recent picture book by light years! stylishly spellbinding.' Telegraph 'A story about possibilities and disappointments with a triumphant ending, all of which Jeffers captures through the beautifully expressive changing moods of his little boy.' The Guardian 'This is a magical, beautifully illustrated tale about reaching for dreams.' Mail on Sunday 'Hail to new talent! If only all picture books could be this good.' The Bookseller "How To Catch A Star" is a beautiful debut picture book from an extremely talented and innovative illustrator. This is a fantastic story which teaches children that if you wish hard enough your dreams just may come true.' The Bookseller 'Adults tend to think of waiting as tedious, but the magic of this book is that it understands waiting as children wait - alert, apprehensive and using their imaginations.' Mail on Sunday 'A stunning debut!' New Talent, Books for Keeps 'If the title sounds magical and optimistic to you, it's probably because that's exactly what this book is.' Book of the Month, Junior Praise for 'Lost and Found': 'Completely captivating and definitely one of my favourite picture books of the year.' Becky Stradwick, Children's Buyer - Borders UK, Publishing News 'Deeply satisfying book.' Books For Keeps 'Wonderfully illustrated book.' The Bookseller 'Heart-warming, irresistible story.' Financial Times Magazine 'Exceptional picture book! The strong, graphic water colour illustrations are magical.' Bookfest

PreS-Gr 2-Surprised but unfazed to find an airplane in his closet, a boy flies it to the moon, runs out of gas, meets a similarly stranded Martian, and makes a new friend. The charm of this story is how completely it maintains a childlike perspective. The boy is putting a full-size rowboat away when he finds the airplane: "He didn't remember leaving it in there, but he thought he'd take it out for a go right away." This approach continues in the watercolor, graphite, and collage artwork. Figures consist of circle heads, box bodies, and stick legs; the backgrounds are flat colors with a few scribbled-in clouds or puffs of exhaust. Humorous details abound. Before his initial flight, the boy systematically dresses in jacket, scarf, helmet, goggles, and gloves, then does a few stretches to prepare fully. After meeting the Martian, he parachutes home for supplies but gets distracted by his favorite television show. The Martian waits, impatiently checking his wristwatch. Eventually, the boy returns to the moon via a rope, both vehicles are repaired, and the travelers prepare to depart, wondering if they will ever meet again. The last page provides hope of keeping in touch when the boy receives an unusual transmitter in the mail. The message that friends are friends whether they are near or far comes through in a warm, amusing manner.-Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.