Books

The Book of Light Poems

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I like the idea of a book without text which then becomes complete with the addition of spoken words. I’ve just finished constructing The book of Light Poems which will be used by Joseph Coelho in The PoetryJoe Show, soon to start touring.

As we developed the project, it became clear that we needed a ‘book’ to contain the bits which made the visual part of the show work and that it required a certain look to get across that special quality of Joe’s poems. There also had to be an some element to carry through the theme of light.

The show’s Autumn schedule is filling up fast with a few early shows, including this Sunday at the Warwick Arts Centre.

To see all the dates so far, click here.

book of light poems A
book of light poems B
book of light poems C
book of light poems D

Fat Larry’s Fruit and Veg Shop

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I recently changed my facebook banner to a picture of the fruit and vegetable shop from Detective Paws. The images below show some of the stages during the development of the spread from initial rough through to finished artwork.
The sequence is one I often use in my school talks. Recently, on a return visit to a school, I was told how they had picked up on something I had said on my previous visit. I don’t remember this, but apparently I had told one child that his work wasn’t ‘wrong’ as he claimed, it was just ‘not finished’. By this I meant that all those not-quite-right roughs aren’t wrong, but stepping stones or guides to help you get to where you want to go. I constantly try to emphasise to the children that my work doesn’t come out fully formed but that there is a developmental process behind it all.

Detective Paws and the Case of the Golden Cat – Tango Books

Golden Cat

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golden cat
golden cat 1

I was really thrilled to get another package from Prep 2 at Truro High School just before Christmas.
I had constructed a ‘magnifying’ box as a thank you for letting me see their wonderful project and they liked this enough to send me something in return (see below).

I was very impressed by the range of skills and techniques they used to make their version of the Golden Cat from Detective Paws and by what a well-observed, collaborative piece of work it was.

The Big Match

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The revised edition of my picture book The Big Match, published by Tango Books, is now out.

This version has a blow football game at the end, in place of the static electricity game of the original. I loved the magic of the static electricity device and the novelty aspect was enough for me, although some of the buyers and bookshops were confused about how the ‘game’ worked. Having said that, I’m also very happy with the blow football game as an alternative ending and it was also a good excuse for me to add a secret hidden container for the balls and straws.

The books has been selling fast so if you want to get your copy, you’ll need to act soon.
Contact sales@tangobooks.co.uk or go to Amazon

Review of the book here:
http://awfullybigreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/the-big-match-by-john-oleary-review-by.html?spref=fb

Lonsas Twilight Event

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LONSAS hosted a twilight event yesterday evening at the London Transport Museum where teachers could meet like-minded individuals and a wide variety of local creative practitioners and cultural organisations.
I was very pleased to participate and offer taster activies relating to my school workshops. Very friendly, relaxed atmosphere and some spectacular results from the teachers – see  example below.   JOHN

Click on the link to go to my LONSAS profile.

Pop-up Workshops

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Training up the next generation of paper engineers in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Primary School in Wandsworth last Monday.

It’s amazing how far a little knowledge can go. I also like to think I’m providing a back door (and a pop-up one at that!) to books, reading and writing, as well as helping the fight against graphophobia.

Training up the next generation of paper engineers in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Primary School in Wandsworth last Monday.

It’s amazing how far a little knowledge can go. I also like to think I’m providing a back door (and a pop-up one at that!) to books, reading and writing, as well as helping the fight against graphophobia.

Claws United v Rover City Rematch

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Great news! – well for me anyway.  Claws United and Rover City are scheduled for a rematch next year when The Big Match is re-launched.

Everything will stay the same apart from a possible re-design of the cover and a change to the super static-electriciy game at the back which will now become a super blow-football game. The book was conceived as a type of football handbook, using natural enemies (or are they?), cats and dogs, on the opposing sides. It covers areas such as the fans, souvenirs, football skills and rules, and takes much of it’s inspiration North London where I live.

Look out for the book in April 2012.
And to see more background material, go to my facebook page here.