The Book House Blog

The Official Blog of The Salariya Book Company

Zen Doodling by Carolyn Scrace

One of our most exciting titles published this month is Zen Doodling by the illustrator Carolyn Scrace. The book introduces the concept of doodling as a way to focus one’s mind and encourage a sense of inner calm and tranquility. Packed with inspirational designs and ideas, tips and projects, Zen Doodling shows how to create beautiful drawings that reflect innovation, brilliance and infinite possibilities. It can be done anywhere and needs no special equipment – surprise yourself with how vibrant and exciting the results can be!

The book has already received some fantastic reviews:

“This book is the ultimate tool for anyone that is trying to start Zen Doodling as it walks you from beginning to end and helps you to even come up with some starting doodles as well.” Dad of Diva’s Reviews

“Zen Doodling brings out the child in us and offers delight in patterns, colors, and combinations of different forms. This playful and enchanting instruction book inspires us to do that and more!” Spirituality & Practice 

The book is available to buy here and posted below are some spreads from the book featuring Carolyn’s colourful Zen Doodles for you to use as inspiration. 

 

 

MEET THE ILLUSTRATOR - DAVE ANTRAM

Dave Antram has lived in Brighton ever since his birth in 1958. He has been married to his wife Linda for more years than he can remember and they have two children, Sadie and Russell. He studied illustration at Eastbourne Art College under the tuition of Mark Pepe. Over the following 20 years he has worked as a designer/illustrator for various studios, before concentrating full time on book illustration. He has illustrated over 100 children’s books since, mainly historical and humorous, including 70 in the popular ‘Danger Zone’ series!

Who is your favourite artist?

Hans Holbein

Who is the person who has influenced you the most?

Victor Ambrus

If you weren’t an illustrator, what would you be doing?

Laying on a beach in Spain!

What is the biggest obstacle you face when drawing?

Drawing hands

Do you listen to anything when working?

Radio 4

What is the best thing about being an illustrator?

Working my own hours

What’s your favourite book?

High Rise, JG Ballard

What’s your favourite film?

Toy Story 1 and 3

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Cheese

What do you do when you are stuck for inspiration?

Annoy my wife

What’s your favourite holiday destination?

Paris

Who / what makes you laugh?

The Office

Which of the books you have worked on is your favourite?

Danger Zone - Great Fire of London

What time of day are you most productive?

Early mornings

Do you have a motto? If so, what is it?

If you want to retire rich, don’t become an illustrator :)

Where do you do most of your work?

In my studio

What’s your proudest accomplishment?

My children

Any advice for budding illustrators?

Practice makes perfect

What’s the one thing you would take to a desert island?

My cat

SPLAT-A-FACTS HAVE BEEN SHORTLISTED FOR A BRITISH BOOK DESIGN AND PRODUCTION AWARD! 

We are thrilled to announce that Professor Zog’s wacky Splat-A-Fact series of activity books has been shortlisted for a British Book Design and Production award! The awards are selected by BPIF, Oxford Brookes University and The Publishers Association and showcase the superb quality of the British book design and production industry.  You can find out more about who we are up against in the Brand/Series Identity category by clicking here.

Good luck Professor Zog and watch this space! 

ROSIE GLOW FARM WITH FAMLOOP!

The much-loved Rosie Glow Farm lift-the-flap series is now brought to life on the iPad!

The animals who live on Rosie Glow Farm have a host of stories to tell, and in this colourful and humorous series, you’ll meet each one. First, meet Hector the Sheep as he tries he best to avoid having his precious wool chopped off by Jimmy Chop-Chop!

Now Hector also comes with fun, engaging activities connected to Famloop, so parents and family can play together and stay connected both at home or on the move. 

Activities include: Record and share your skills in ‘Singing to Hector’ to make him blush, ‘Guess the shadow’ mini game to get acquainted with the Rosie Glow residents, ‘Connect-the-dots’ and learn to draw Elvis the Rooster, ‘Design’ your very own jumper for Hector the Sheep…and many more to come.

After connecting to FamLoop with the FamLoop iPhone App, parents & invited family members can: 

- Play & learn with your kids wherever you are

- Encourage your child to learn and improve their reading

- Parents have complete control over their child’s account and the sharing of updates

- Kid’s creation gallery stores all your child’s videos, pictures and other fun activities

Find Rosie Glow Farm on the itunes store here.  

CATCH OF THE DAY! Fishing Book Reviews have named Rob Beattie’s Fishing, A Very Peculiar History their book of the month! “I wish there were more books about fishing like this one – by turns witty, anarchic, informative and fun, but mostly completely barking … worth buying as a bog book … as good inside as it looks from the outside.” To read the full review and discover the net’s largest collection of fishing book reviews, visit their website. Fishing, A Very Peculiar History is available from our online store for £7.99.

CATCH OF THE DAY!


 Fishing Book Reviews have named Rob Beattie’s Fishing, A Very Peculiar History their book of the month!

“I wish there were more books about fishing like this one – by turns witty, anarchic, informative and fun, but mostly completely barking … worth buying as a bog book … as good inside as it looks from the outside.”

To read the full review and discover the net’s largest collection of fishing book reviews, visit their website.

Fishing, A Very Peculiar History is available from our online store for £7.99.

MEET THE AUTHOR - JIM PIPE To discover more books by Jim, click on the picture to be taken to our online shop. Favourite colour? Yellow. Do you listen to anything when working?All the time – music without words when I need to concentrate, like jazz or classical, funky stuff when things are going well, and VERY LOUD rock when I’m doing something boring on the computer.Person who had the most influence?I had fantastic history teachers all the way through school. One of them, Mr Williams, was also very cool. He drove a giant motorcycle into school and we all called him Shakey Starlight, the name he used in his band, Rocket 88. Another one used to be in the army and was great at describing battles and all the bloody bits in history. Who is your favourite author?Roald Dahl wrote very funny books for children and adults.If you weren’t an author, what would you be doing?I would love to have been a musician… though it’s hard to make any money!How do you do your research?I read as many big books as I can on the subject and pick out the bits I find interesting.When did you start writing?About 15 years ago. I was a big fan of horror movies and the first book I wrote was about Dracula, investigating the facts behind the story.Favourite film of all time?Hard to say, but I’ve watched Strictly Ballroom more times than any other film – always makes me laugh, and one of the characters in it really reminds me of my dad! What do you do in your free time?I love watching movies, but I’m in several bands in Dublin so I spend most of my free time playing in late-night clubs or at weddings.What do you do when you are stuck for inspiration?I go for a walk. By the time I’m back at my desk I usually know what I’m going to do.Favourite holiday destination?Northern California. It’s got everything – these amazing giant trees, gorgeous beaches, wonderful skiing and delicious wines – and I’ve got some great friends living in San Francisco.Who or what makes you laugh?Really bad puns. My favourite joke goes: What’s orange and sounds like a parrot Answer: A carrot. I know, it’s terrible.Your favourite guilty pleasure?Chocolate – big bars of it! Favourite book you have written? Usually the book I’m working on – it’s exciting seeing it come together. When I look back at books I’ve finished, I always think I could have done them better!What time of day are you most productive?My biggest brainwaves come first thing in the morning, while I’m lying in bed hoping that I won’t have to get up.How long does it take to write a book?That would be telling!Last book you read?The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga. The main character is a nasty piece of work but it’s a great read.Words to live by?Enjoy your food!Do you ever visit schools?Sometimes I go to schools to organise photoshoots for a book.Where do you work?I have an office in an old building in Dublin that used to be a woollen mill. It has very high ceilings, so it’s freezing in winter and very hot in summer (so hot that sometimes I work in just my shorts and flip-flops). However, it’s got lots of space, so I have room for all my music gear and my bands can rehearse there at night when everyone in the offices nearby has gone home. Jim has written many of our Peculiar History titles such as: London, Ireland, The Tudors, World War One, World War Two, Titanic, Ancient Egypt and Cricket.

MEET THE AUTHOR - JIM PIPE

To discover more books by Jim, click on the picture to be taken to our online shop.

Favourite colour?
Yellow.

Do you listen to anything when working?
All the time – music without words when I need to concentrate, like jazz or classical, funky stuff when things are going well, and VERY LOUD rock when I’m doing something boring on the computer.

Person who had the most influence?
I had fantastic history teachers all the way through school. One of them, Mr Williams, was also very cool. He drove a giant motorcycle into school and we all called him Shakey Starlight, the name he used in his band, Rocket 88. Another one used to be in the army and was great at describing battles and all the bloody bits in history.

Who is your favourite author?
Roald Dahl wrote very funny books for children and adults.

If you weren’t an author, what would you be doing?
I would love to have been a musician… though it’s hard to make any money!

How do you do your research?
I read as many big books as I can on the subject and pick out the bits I find interesting.

When did you start writing?
About 15 years ago. I was a big fan of horror movies and the first book I wrote was about Dracula, investigating the facts behind the story.

Favourite film of all time?
Hard to say, but I’ve watched Strictly Ballroom more times than any other film – always makes me laugh, and one of the characters in it really reminds me of my dad!

What do you do in your free time?
I love watching movies, but I’m in several bands in Dublin so I spend most of my free time playing in late-night clubs or at weddings.

What do you do when you are stuck for inspiration?
I go for a walk. By the time I’m back at my desk I usually know what I’m going to do.

Favourite holiday destination?
Northern California. It’s got everything – these amazing giant trees, gorgeous beaches, wonderful skiing and delicious wines – and I’ve got some great friends living in San Francisco.

Who or what makes you laugh?
Really bad puns. My favourite joke goes: What’s orange and sounds like a parrot Answer: A carrot. I know, it’s terrible.

Your favourite guilty pleasure?
Chocolate – big bars of it!

Favourite book you have written?
Usually the book I’m working on – it’s exciting seeing it come together. When I look back at books I’ve finished, I always think I could have done them better!

What time of day are you most productive?
My biggest brainwaves come first thing in the morning, while I’m lying in bed hoping that I won’t have to get up.

How long does it take to write a book?
That would be telling!

Last book you read?
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga. The main character is a nasty piece of work but it’s a great read.

Words to live by?
Enjoy your food!

Do you ever visit schools?
Sometimes I go to schools to organise photoshoots for a book.

Where do you work?
I have an office in an old building in Dublin that used to be a woollen mill. It has very high ceilings, so it’s freezing in winter and very hot in summer (so hot that sometimes I work in just my shorts and flip-flops). However, it’s got lots of space, so I have room for all my music gear and my bands can rehearse there at night when everyone in the offices nearby has gone home.

Jim has written many of our Peculiar History titles such as:

London, Ireland, The Tudors, World War One, World War Two, Titanic, Ancient Egypt and Cricket.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUEEN ELIZABETH II!

To celebrate the Queen’s 86th birthday tomorrow, why not find out more about the life and times of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as we approach her Diamond Jubilee? Take a look at our online shop to find some fascinating books about the Queen and our royal family. Including a very peculiar guide to royal etiquette and plenty of bizarre trivia, A Very Peculiar History: 60 Years A Queen is a vivid and fascinating biography of one the most significant public figures of our times.

COMMEMORATE 100 YEARS OF THE TITANIC

It boasted libraries, palm trees, swimming pools, a 50-phone switchboard and was nearly as tall as the Eiffel Tower. No, she’s not a skyscraper, she’s the Titanic! To commemorate the centenary of the sinking of the White Star Liner RMS Titanic, take a look at some of the fascinating books from Book House, delving into the human stories of both crew and passengers and the incredible feats of engineering and design involved in her conception, construction and maiden voyage. Whether you want to be kept entertained for hours by wacky activities and quirky games in the Splat-A-Fact Titanic Activity Book or you’re interested in taking a more pecuuliar look at the history of the Titanic, we have something for everyone on our online shop.

SPECIAL OFFER ON SALARIYA ONLINE SHOP Visit the Salariya Online Shop to take advantage of an exclusive online special offer. You can now receive a FREE Splat-A-Fact title when you order any TWO of the hilarious activity books from the Splat-A-Fact series. Packed full of puzzles, doodles, jokes and activities and featuring amazing facts about the topic, do not miss this opportunity to get your hands on a surprise extra title for COMPLETELY FREE! So head on over to shop.salariya.com to grab your free copy!

SPECIAL OFFER ON SALARIYA ONLINE SHOP

Visit the Salariya Online Shop to take advantage of an exclusive online special offer. You can now receive a FREE Splat-A-Fact title when you order any TWO of the hilarious activity books from the Splat-A-Fact series. Packed full of puzzles, doodles, jokes and activities and featuring amazing facts about the topic, do not miss this opportunity to get your hands on a surprise extra title for COMPLETELY FREE!

So head on over to shop.salariya.com to grab your free copy!

FROM BRIGHTON TO YORKSHIRE – LATEST EBOOKS FROM SALARIYA

This week we’ve got quite the range of new ebooks for you! If you’re the type to plan ahead then ‘Christmas, A Very Peculiar History’ may well be for you. ‘Yorkshire, A Very Peculiar History’ and ‘Cricket, A Very Peculiar History’ will go hand in hand for sporting northerners. Downton Abbey fans on both sides of the pond will discover the fact behind the fiction in ‘Victorian Servants, A Very Peculiar History’, and ‘Brighton, A Very Peculiar History’ is a quirky love letter to our home in the South.

You can find all these ebooks and many more in the Very Peculiar History series in the Kindle store and iBookstore, as well as many other online ebook retailers. Just search for ‘very peculiar history ebook’.