These are my two new picture books that have just
been published.
You'll know from The Shaman Boy and Cloud
Cat that I love snow leopards.
Here they are again, in my story
Two Little Snow Leopards
published this month by Stripes in
Winter Tales.
I have written 3 stories for Wow! 366 Speedy
Stories.
All the authors donated their stories in aid of children's charities.
Thank you for asking me to the "Big Book
Bash" at County Hall, Matlock. I loved it, and hope you are all
sending in lots of writing and illustrations.
I was delighted to find this 5 star review on Amazon:
Wow This book is stunning I have just read it to my four
year old .... (the) rythmn timbre and resonance ... makes it magical to
read.... the poetry and wordsmithing make it a delight, the illustrations
are of very high quality and realism. A gem
'My absolute favourite of this year’s picture books
is, however, Caroline Pitcher’s The Winter Dragon. Every
night a timid boy’s home-made toy dragon comes alive to tell him stories
of battles and elf-hoards, and makes him grow brave. The poignant warmth
of this book will light up the darkest days.'
(Amanda Craig in The Times)
'Brighten up the darkness with this warm story and its soft cosy pastel
illustrations..........A soothing and comforting message, but grown-up
enough for a riveting bedtime read.'
(Junior)
Nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2004
Helen Davis reviewed my latest novel The Shaman Boy:
'Two things immediately stand out: the warmth
and originality of the characters, and the richness of the imaginative
description. Reading the book is a sensual experience of shape, colour
and texture… the startling use of imagery and language point to the
fluid and unsettled nature of reality, throwing up questions about how
we see the world, about freedom and choice.
Luka, a blind boy, discovers that he has the power to transfer his spirit
to move with an animal, allowing him to experience the world from a
stunning variety of perspectives, to marvel at the miracle of the universe.
Sharply contrasted against this dizzying world of possibility is the
harsh reality of a village suffering the trauma of recent war. The orphan
children love to hear Luka’s stories but Florin’s ability to process
any story or information is reduced starkly to “bang bang dead.”
Ultimately, The Shaman Boy is a book about power. Luka must move between
the powerlessness of fear and the power of imagination, love and infinity.
..'
Click on the book cover above to see
the characters, hear Luka's tune and read more reviews.
Berlie Doherty describes The
Shaman Boy as 'a feast of a book'.
The Littlest Owl
illustrated by Tina Macnaughton is out now.
The publishers tell me that 'The Littlest Owl proved extremely popular among foreign publishers
at the Bologna International Children's Book Fair in 2007. It will be
published this year in the UK, Germany, Spain, USA, Slovenia, France and
Australia. Publication rights have also been sold in Korea, Greece and
China.'
This is the beautiful new edition
of Mariana and the Merchild.
Yum!!! take
a look at the cover for the Italian edition of 11 o'Clock
Chocolate Cake:
The BBC will use Are You Spring on
their Let's Move radio programmes for schools.
I hope it moves you.
My story 'Wakes' appears in In
The Frame, an anthology of young adult stories from the 3 counties,
published by Five
Leaves.
If you liked my novel Mine you'll like Wakes
because it has a similar Derbyshire setting.
The cover is by David
Wyatt, who also illustrated the stunning covers for Sky Shifter,
Cloud Cat and The Shaman Boy.
Nicola Ho (12) likes Mine and reviewed it in Writing in Education: 'I really enjoyed the book and I would definitely read more books by Caroline
Pitcher. I would also recommend it to anyone. Mine is very
expressive with vivid descriptions that I could picture in my head immediately.
Mine is beautifully written. It was really gripping and I couldn’t
put it down. The plot is quite complex even though the book is a quick read.
I would give Mine 9 out of 10. A must read.'
'The Dolphin Bracelet' appears in
Like Mother, Like Daughter? an anthology for
mothers and daughters.
'In this delightful collection... Caroline
Pitcher strikes a poignant note in the story of a family holiday with
a terminally ill mother' (Valerie Coghlan in Books for Keeps)
Thank you to Nikki Gamble for interviewing me at www.writeaway.org.uk
Are you a teacher or librarian who would like to review books for her site?
Then contact me.
The beautiful
Lord of the Forest
is out in paperback.
'For something genuinely awe-inspiring, try Lord of the Forest.......this
unforgettable story about a tiger could stop even the stroppiest of infants
in their tracks.'
(Nicholas Tucker in The Independent)
'I defy anybody's head not to turn at this magnificent
picture book.'
(Emma Shaw in the Derby Evening Telegraph)
'Caroline Pitcher's language is as measured as a tiger's
footfall......repetition, alliteration, and rhyme hidden in the prose all
contribute to the "tigerliness" when reading aloud......Jackie
Morris's drawing is skilful and accurate'
(INIS - Children's Books Ireland)
'The best animal picture book of the season is Lord
of the Forest...... Ms Morris's illustrations are lavish and painterly,
and the story—who exactly is the king of the jungle?—holds the reader in
suspense until the very last page.'
(The Economist)
'beautiful watercolours distinguish this quiet story
about grace, humility and identity'
(Kirkus Review)
This anthology of writings on war and peace raises money for
UNICEF's emergency appeal for the children of Iraq.
PLEASE BUY IT NOW.
If you like a giggle, try my novel
11 o'Clock Chocolate Cake
it's the story of the summer just gone.
It's published by Egmont
- complete with recipes for Late Night Noodles, Skanky Skons and Great Huge
Cookies!
'What a joy to read! A great book for teenage girls,
that had me constantly laughing aloud..... Sadness, tears, joy, depression
and anger all take turns to feature. The layout is rather unusual.......
the nicknames are very funny...... I loved this book, and read it in
three days....... It's like an older version of a Jacqueline Wilson
story, but with a few added twists, that keep you guessing until the
end.' (a young reviewer in Education Otherwise)
'...a delicious slice of teenage life. Readers will
be engaged at once..... Great stuff.' (Adčle Geras in Times Educational
Supplement)
'This is a real giggle about the most important things in life
- friendship and food!' (Mizz)
Silkscreen has won an Arts Council Writer's Award,
and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal.
'This is a powerful,
moving and suspenseful story about loss and despair; but also about how
good wins through eventually and how hope can triumph. The writing is
excellent - the pitch,the pace and the juxtaposition of modern life against
a Victorian background are absorbing and adept. A gripping read.'
(Sheila Wood in The Bookseller)
The Times said Mine was 'an unusually moving
story of a girl unwillingly tuned into lamenting voices from the past....remarkable'
It was selected as one of The Times Top Three Teen books of 1997 and chosen
by the wonderful Berlie Doherty for `I wish I'd written'.
`Poetic prose and precise figurative language evoke a powerful sense
of time and place' (Books for Keeps)
`an enjoyable story written with great sensitivity' (School
Librarian)
.
Frances Lincoln
have also published a picture book with beautiful illustrations by Nilesh Mistry
Books for Keeps gave it a 5 star review: 'Nico...calls his pet 'the
chameleon of the sea'
'The book communicates a strong sense of place - a sunny
Mediterranean fishing village where the people live an open air
life'
'An illustrated story of this quality is worthwhile in
its own right, but this one also provides a context for a great deal of
learning - about a particular sea creature and about a lifestyle.'
I love writing stories for picture books because
I get such wonderful illustrators!
Click on the pictures below to see:
some more of my picture books
or
my early work
You can order Caroline Pitcher's books in shops and online bookstores
Click on the picture below to visit Scarthin Books:
or better still visit in person.
You will find every wall covered in books, new and second hand, and friendly
staff who live and breathe books. If it all becomes too much you could stop
off in their cafe for some delicious home cooked food and proper coffee.
You can read Nikki Gamble's interview
with me and other writers at www.writeaway.org.uk
Luka's tune from The Shaman Boy was written and played by Max who
has been inspired to a life of Jazz by the marvellous East
Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra
NB The publishers listed are those publishing the
books in the UK - often different publishers are used in
other countries.
