MY UNCLE'S DONKEY
By Tohby Riddle
Award
winning writer, illustrator, cartoonist and designer Tohby Riddle is one of Australia's
most prolific and well loved children's authors. No stranger to Australia's literary
scene, Tohby has written and illustrated books since 1989 and has well and truly
come of age. Tohby has penned and illustrated classics such as 'Nobody Owns the
Moon', 'The Great Escape from City Zoo' and 'The Royal Guest'.
Attending
a Steiner School in the bush, followed by senior school at Sydney Grammar before
obtaining a BA in Visual Arts followed by a Bachelor of Science in Architecture
from the University of Sydney, Tohby began his career when he worked as a mailing
clerk in a major publishing house. Following his resignation he showed his former
boss a book he had written. They offered him a deal on the spot and he has continued
to flourish since.
'My Uncle's Donkey' is Tohby Riddle's 10th
picture book and was, as he says, 'created following an intentionally silly conversation
I was having with my then 3 year old niece and two other 4 year olds. For some
reason I decided to tell them I had a donkey in my apartment and they kept asking
questions about him and I kept coming up with silly answers. I realised later
this could be a fun premise for a book.'
Beautifully illustrated
in his recognisable, classic style (Riddle was the cartoonist for Good Weekend
for nearly ten years), the book's black and white with a dash of red artwork was
designed for clarity and graphic impact. The illustrations incorporate quirky
elements that music, art lovers and film buffs will recognise. Riddle has included
Charlie Chaplin in The Kid (1921) playing on the TV; van Gogh's Sunflowers being
eaten by the donkey; the Portland Vase, the world's most valuable vase, being
juggled (and broken) by the donkey; and the artwork of the author's 6 year old
daughter, Ivy, appearing on the uncle's fridge.
'My Uncle's
Donkey', to be published by Penguin Books in September explores themes of friendship,
relationships, and appropriate behaviour. The book uses simple repetitive language
with illustrations full of humour perfect for preschoolers and early readers.
MORE
ABOUT TOHBY:
He has written and illustrated numerous well-loved
picture books; written a novel (published as a young adult book); was the cartoonist
for 'Good Weekend' for nearly ten years; and is a former editor of 'The School
Magazine', a literary magazine for children published by the NSW Department of
Education since 1916. He lives in a crowded house with his wife and children in
the Blue Mountains, near Sydney.
'My Uncle's Donkey' is
available now.
