A Child of Books

A beautiful, poignant and timely manifesto for the myriad rewards of reading and sharing the enjoyment of stories.

From New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers, creator of The Day the Crayons Quit and Lost and Found, and typographical artist Sam Winston comes an exceptional new picture book.

I am a Child of Books. I come from a world of stories, And upon my imagination, I float.

In this inspiring, lyrical tale about the rewards of reading and sharing stories, a little girl sails her raft "across a sea of words" to arrive at the house of a small boy. There she invites him to come away with her on an adventure. Guided by his new friend, the boy unlocks his imagination and a lifetime of magic lies ahead of him… But who will be next? Elegant illustrations by Oliver Jeffers are accompanied by Sam Winston’s astonishing typographical landscapes, beautifully shaped from excerpts of children’s classics including Treasure Island, Little Women and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, creating a gorgeous gift book perfect for readers of all ages, and this year’s must-have Christmas gift.

If you haven’t guessed already, I love, love, absolutely love this book. Read it and ponder on what the power of the story does for you. Creative Kids Tales
It’s a work of art to savour, share, and re-read many times. Bookrapt
A Child of Books is a beautiful celebration of the magic and worlds harnessed by books. Striking Keys
The sparse verbal text comes alive with Jeffers’ clever work, integrating many well-known and loved stories. The visual elements executed are original and exceptional. The book as a whole package is one of loveliness. Reading Time
How sweet too, a story about sharing in the magic of reading. It served to remind me of how lucky I am, how lucky my kids are, to be surrounded by beautiful literature. The Golden Adventures of a Very Dark Horse
Christmas Gift Guide mention The Australian Women's Weekly
50 Best Books for Kids 2016 NZ Listener
This is the greatest gift you can give any book lover, of any age. Booktopia
From the endpapers listing classics to the typographical illustrations and simple, evocative text, it’s a masterpiece. Highly recommended. Pinerolo Newsletter
It’s difficult to express how truly lovely this book is. There is nothing else like it on the market. It is a beautiful, timeless treasure that I thoroughly recommend to readers of all ages. Buzzwords
A Child of Books is quite possibly my favourite picture book… ever. I cannot encourage you enough to find a copy, sit in a quiet corner and enjoy what I think is something very, very special. The Book Kat
Completely captivating. Tots to Teens
This will be a treat for anyone who reads it, the text and illustrations are beacons, leading to hours of contemplation and discussion. Read Plus
Anyone who revels in the elusive magic of words, the sublime art of storytelling and books in general, will find this beautifully inspiring picture book an utter delight. Magpies Magazine

Oliver Jeffers is an artist whose work ranges from figurative painting and installation to illustration. His picture books include Lost and Found, How to Catch a Star, This Moose Belongs to Me and The Day the Crayons Quit, all of which have been translated into over 30 languages worldwide. Oliver's talent has been recognized by several high-profile awards, including the Irish Book of the Year and the Blue Peter Book of the Year; as well as shortlists for the British Book of the Year, the Roald Dahl Prize and the Kate Greenaway Medal. Born in Australia, Oliver was brought up in Northern Ireland and now lives and works in New York. and on Twitter as @OliverJeffers.

Sam Winston is a fine artist who exhibits internationally and whose books can be found in many special collections worldwide, including New York's Museum of Modern Art, the Getty Research Institute, the Tate Gallery London, and the V&A Museum. His work is also collected by the Library of Congress and commissioned by The New York Times. Sam lives and works in London.

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