Claris: The Chicest Mouse in Paris by Megan Hess

In rhyming text and distinctively stylish illustrations, Megan Hess' debut children's book is a charming tale of compassion and ambition. Claris is a kindhearted country mouse who longs to move to Paris to fulfill her dreams in fashion. And with one great leap onto a golden hot air balloon, she is whisked off to a new life in Paris. A wish almost fulfilled..for her new home includes a mean little girl and a scary looking cat. Claris uses her wits to overcome these obstacles and finds an unlikely companion.

Always posing and ready for the runway, Claris is the depiction of grace and elegance, especially in her mouse couture-très chic indeed! International fashion illustrator Megan Hess applies her signature style and flair to a new series for younger readers. To create her artwork, she uses a custom Montblanc fountain pen for inking and colours painted digitally or with gouache. Claris is pretty in pink on the cover accented with textured paper, a gold bordered design and gilded edges. Recommended for ages 3+.

Amazon
Hardie Grant Egmont 2018
Hardcover 48p
9.4" x 11.4"

Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen by Deborah Hopkinson - Illustrated by Qin Leng

This mini biography of Jane Austen offers a glimpse into the life of one of the most widely read novelists in English literature. Condensed and aimed at young readers, Deborah Hopkinson focuses on Jane Austen's creative development, her keen sense of observation and her determination to pursue her dream at a time when women's main profession was wife/mother. It covers Jane's childhood, family and events that may have helped to inspire her writing. Growing up in a big loving family with a very supportive father, encouraged her to continue learning beyond her limited formal education. Jane Austen wrote about everyday people; like a soap opera for her time. The stories of ordinary lives written in the most extraordinary ways so that two centuries later, people are still reading her novels.

Rough lines and loose colours flow with seemingly effortless charm  in Qin Leng's ink and watercolour illustrations. Characters are lively and expressive; wearing the prettiest Regency era fashions. The illustration from the spread showing couples dancing while Jane observes on the side is especially lovely. At the end of book is a timeline of Jane Austen's life as well as a summary of each of her novels. Recommended for ages 8+.

Amazon
Balzer + Bray 2018
Hardcover 40p
7.7" x 11.2"