Happy xmas!

Democracy for the young

Celebrating the 100th anniversary for universal suffrage in Norway, as well as honouring the second centennial of our constitution,  Senter for IKT i utdanningen (Center for Information and Communication Technology in Education) has on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, commissioned a series of drawings to be used with a newly developed educational website, teaching children about democracy.

Constitution Day, Justice, Participation, Equality and Human Rights are the initial themes portrayed - targeted and facilitated for kindergartens.

Here are snippets from the theme drawings:

Fourth

Celebrating the release of " Norwegian Illustrators 04"- an updated catalogue of contemporary Norwegian illustration, a couple of stands for the book was raised in the middle of central Oslo during the book festival last weekend, making some of the pieces accessible to the public at large. One of my small contributions unexpectedly popped up on this one, near the bottom left corner. Book cover by Maja Nøkleby.

Illo 12

A brief appearance by Sture and Manuel in the 3x3-curated 2012 Illustration Directory.

Great reviews for "Oliver"

Interview in "Klassekampen", plus first reviews out in "Dagbladet" and "Aftenposten", three of Norway's national dailies. Favourable and positive words indeed, as well as a wee write-up in "Barnebokkritikk.no"(A site dedicated to in-depth reviews of Norwegian children's books). Hats off to author Jan Grue for concocting this adventurous tale!

Rough English translations (via Google translate) here and here

Boy meets wheelchair

Oliver is a wheelchair. The world's first tame wheelchair. Written by the fabulous Jan Grue, "Oliver" tells the story of how a boy ends up finding a living, breathing chair on wheels. Published by Gyldendal.

Space Traveller

Copies of "Lars on Mars" has landed on my doorstep, written by the great Hans Sande, and illustrated by my humble self. An easy reader/Lion Cub from Norwegian publishers CappelenDamm. Always a hoot to receive parcels from the Central Book Distribution. Hats off to Geir (Herr Redakteur) and Hans for a fun and fantabulous collaboration. Below, character sketches and roughs, cover progression, a discarded version of Lars' space vehicle and a slew of completed spreads: