Friday, November 21, 2008

The Making of Budgie & Boo

Cover

Budgie & Boo is a sweet tale of two special friends by master children’s book author and illustrator David McPhail. While working with McPhail developing Budgie & Boo we had a lot of back and forth. Attached are some of David's correspondences showing through his letter the development of the story. I love these letters and drawings they show David's endless sense of humor and thirst for exploration.
Interior pages


Budgie was a bear. Boo was a bunny.
Budgie grew flowers. Boo grew
vegetables . . .
Budgie and Boo were the best gardeners,
who decided to be the best of friends.
And they were.

Letters and Character sketches



Character Sketches ( deciding what kind of pen to use )



IN STORES APRIL 2009

David McPhail has crafted a timeless tale of friendship in the tradition of such classics as Frog and Toad. Budgie & Boo introduces two new lovable characters who will charm the youngest readers with their humor and high jinks!
Morning, noon, and night, Budgie and Boo work in their gardens, have adventures, and solve problems for each other—from fixing a leaky roof to fixing breakfast—because that’s what best friends are for. Together they learn that even if they lose their way, friendship is all they need to get through the day.



David McPhail has illustrated more than one hundred books for children, including the New York Times bestseller When Sheep Sleep. His other titles include Water Boy, I Love You Because You’re You, and If You Were My Bunny.

5 comments:

Susan Mitchell said...

I have been a David McPhail fan for years and it's lovely to get a little window into how he develops his characters - such beautiful, sweet sketches :)

Matt Phelan said...

Wow, this is really great. Thanks for posting it!

Paige Keiser said...

Thanks so much for posting these gems!

Anonymous said...

What a Christmas present you have given me. David McPhail is one of my very favorite children authors and illustrators.
He is as wonderful a person as he is and author. I will need to find a copy of Budgie and Boo. When I need a children's book = his are the first I look for. If you have never read The Dream Child do so. It is precious.

Anonymous said...

What a Christmas present you have given me. David McPhail is one of my very favorite children authors and illustrators.
He is as wonderful a person as he is and author. I will need to find a copy of Budgie and Boo. When I need a children's book = his are the first I look for. If you have never read The Dream Child do so. It is precious.