They say “worse things happen at sea”. But what if you are at sea?
What if you’re at sea in a tiny boat with a big smelly bear? And the only food you have left is a sandwich that is so old and mouldy that it glows in the moonlight? And the bear says something about sea monsters but you just don’t know whether he’s joking or not?

Yes, what then? Well, one of the things that you might not expect to come out of such a predicament is wave after wave of laughter. But Dave Shelton has managed to do just that. A Boy and a Bear in a Boat is a book like no other; a story which, in its bare bones, could be utterly bleak: a young boy is lost at sea, with no compass, no food and (seemingly) no chance. But Shelton’s masterful prose transforms this premise into a brilliantly funny and tender tale of friendship. While some of life’s problems are beyond our control, others may seem less worrisome if only you have a cup of tea, a ukulele and a bit of wishful thinking.

This book is rather different from anything we have published before. It is over three hundred pages long and Dave has illustrated it throughout, with several pages of beautiful full colour.

The unique humour of the story also meant that it was tricky coming up with the right cover look. Read the rest of this entry »

My embarrassing moments happen almost every time I do an event where there’s live drawing. Drawing on a big flip chart in front of people is SO different than drawing in the privacy of my own sketchbook or creating illustrations with all my favourite materials in the cosiness of my studio. In events, I’m drawing with fat markers (which usually work) and trying to draw fairly quickly so it stays entertaining and not like watching paint dry. So my flipchart pictures are anything but polished, and still, there’s usually someone who wants to keep the drawing to hang up at their school or library. I’ve had to learn to overcome the urge to say, ‘But wait, I could draw you something so much better!’ and be happy letting them have it. It still makes me blush sometimes, though.

Read the rest of this entry »

A Thursday evening, last year. I am in a pub in smelly London attending the very jolly and well-attended launch party for Sarah McIntyre’s magnificent Vern and Lettuce book. (Buy it. Buy it now). I have had some champagne and some cake. Rude not to. Now I have some beer. Mr David Fickling has given a rousing speech which has, as usual, entertained and roused. There is more cake available and there are any number of talented cartoonists knocking about the place with whom I may converse freely about pens should I so desire (and I so do). In particular I spend a good deal of time catching up with my good friend Faz Choudhury. In short, all is very much well with the world.

Into this personal paradise enter a man, a woman and a boy. The man approaches me in familiar fashion, smiling. Says hello. Says, “This is my wife, Lucia”. I think, “never mind your wife, who are you”. Read the rest of this entry »

..or rather barks.. or growls?  More suggestions for dog ’speech’ description please! In fact, have a go at naming this mystery(ie. ‘where the barks went’, ‘growls in hiding’ etc) and send us your ideas - best suggestions win a DFC badge! Just leave your doggy verb or title & your email address as a comment below.. 

One Robin Etherington - a rather sharp-eyed and sharp-witted young man - has already solved ‘The Mystery of Lost Words’ by bringing to our attention that fact that text & speech bubbles were missing from the final page of Dave Shelton’s miniature treat, THE STAKEOUT – !! ‘Eek!!’ I hear you say – but never fear, thanks to our crime-busting dog duo and their trusty sidekicks, Robin & Dave, the final pages have been restored for your viewing pleasure! Just click here  to read the rectified newsletter :)  ..Phew!

If you should need any brainfood whilst thinking up your doggy descriptions, take a look at Dave Shelton’s fascinating website  - it’s crammed with glimpses of new work and beautiful pages from Dave’s old sketchbooks – a real insight into his hilarious, engaging and completely charming work.

I’ll be keeping my eyes on the comments box..   ’til next time!