The first 'Dear Father Christmas'.

Hello dear readers! Thank you, thank you, thank you soooo much for all your comments on yesterdays post! So very nice of you to do that for me, because not only does it make me feel jolly happy, it's jolly good for the old morale. Us illustrators sit at home, alone, for long periods of time, and we don't get to hear much feedback about our work, so your feedback was priceless, thank you so much.

I mentioned yesterday, that I was going to show you the first 'Dear Father Christmas' book today, didn't I? It was the book that inspired 'Dear father Christmas, Get Well Soon' (which I showed you in yesterdays post). I've done a few books since finishing 'Dear Father Christmas', but I still have a sharp recollection of listening to Christmas carols (to get me in the right Christmas mood), my studio being covered in Christmas decorations, and all my reference material being snow filled scenes. And that was when it was the middle of Summer. So when you look through the pages of this book, maybe you'll agree that I managed to enter into the Christmas spirit pretty well, all things considered.

So shall we have a little look at the book? I think you might enjoy this one, well, I hope you do.

Let's start at the very beginning..............  Are we all comfy, is everyone settled? Everyone brushed their teeth and changed into their pyjamas? Goody......... Sssshhhhh, no chattering, it's quiet time............. Here we go.............

"Dear Father Christmas".

It's the first of  December, and Holly has written to Father Christmas with a query. She's seen someone in her local shopping centre, who calls himself Father Christmas. Holly wants to know if it was REALLY Father Christmas himself?!

Now just as an aside, I was talking to a lady the other day, who went to Lapland with her children last year, and saw Father Christmas, went on a sleigh ride, and did other lovely things. Her son is old enough to remember this experience, and he remembers seeing the REAL Father Christmas. Well, when he sees Father Christmas in shopping centres and garden centres now, apparently he's totally dismissive of these 'imposters'. He tells his Mummy that he's seen the real thing, and I think he's a bit non-plussed by all these other chaps.

So I can see exactly where Holly is coming from, and I'd be interested to know what Father Christmas has to say about this, wouldn't you? Let's find out!

Aa-ha! I have the letter Father Christmas wrote to Holly, right here in my hand, and here is the answer. Those men are all Father Christmas's helpers! They are acting on his behalf, 'representing him', so-to-speak.

Holly can't quite believe Father Christmas wrote back to her! And being the inquisitive girl that she is, makes the most of the fact that she has 'the ear' of Father Christmas himself, and writes back with more questions.

(You go for it Holly!)

In the picture above, we have an Elf collecting Holly's letter to take back to Father Christmas.

You can see Holly's house on the left. At the time I was illustrating this story, there was a bit of a discussion as to how many Christmas lights I could put on Holly's house. Me being me, wanted to cover it in loads of sparkle. In the end, a compromise was reached, and I was allowed to put in what you see  above. When it came to the Elf's trail of sparkle, I decided it was perfectly acceptable to have it SPARKLE.  It is Christmas after all, and this is magic.

If there was one thing I particularly enjoyed about illustrating this book, it was the world of father Christmas. The author, Alan Durant, wanted there to be many more spreads showing Holly's world, but there was one thing I wasn't going to pass up on showing, and which in my book is far more interesting, and that is the world of Father Christmas.
Shall I get back to the story now?

Holly receives another letter from Father Christmas, answering Holly's questions. But in the envelope with father Christmas's letter is something extra EXTRA special!

An Advent Calender! A tiny Advent calender that really works! You can open up each little window every day, and there's a picture! WOW! Not bad as freebies go hey?

I would so like to go into Father Christmas's office! I think the picture above might be fulfilling that wish.

Father Christmas, in his letters, keeps on asking Holly what she would like for Christmas. She knows what she wants, but she doesn't dare ask. As a divirting tactic, she keeps on sending letters with questions in them instead. It's a good thing Father Christmas is such a nice, patient person, isn't it?

Another gift, along with a letter from Father Christmas! And you'll never guess what, you don't have be Holly, in the pages of this book to enjoy Father Christmas's gift, because.............................

You get the exact same ornament from  Father Christmas that Holly is holding in the picture! How GREAT is that?! You too can put the ornament on your own tree.

(And being such a stickler for detail, I made sure I painted a back view of Father Christmas too).

Holly at this point, is trying to pluck up the courage to ask Father Christmas for what she really, really wants. But that's not before she's asked a few more important questions.

Father Christmas was busy feeding the Reindeer some special treats, when the Elf arrives with Holly's latest questions. Among other questions she asks, Holly wants to know if Father Christmas really does like mince pies. Good question that, very good question! I wonder, does Father Christmas REALLY like mince pies?

Well, if you have been leaving mince pies out for Father Christmas, year after year, and you're momentarily concerned he doesn't like them........................ he does! He loves them! And the Reindeer love their carrots, so don't forget them this year.

In Father Christmas's reply, he gently reminds Holly that time is running out, and he would like to know what she'd like for Christmas.   In with the letter, father Christmas pops something rather fab.

A Reindeer guide! How cool is that? It folds out, and on both sides it's jam packed with things you might like to know about Reindeer, highly entertaining things of course. On one side of the fold-out, you get to know what makes a Reindeer laugh. I've always wanted to know that, and now I can. Would you like a quick peek at what makes a Reindeer Laugh?

I had such FUN drawing and painting these Reindeer doing their crazy little things! I was given the jokes, and I had to come up with the pictures, there were no directions as to what to draw and paint, as with the whole book.

When Holly reads Father Christmas's latest letter, she realises time is running out, and she'd better come out with it, and tell Father Christmas what she wants. So she writes back to him.................

At this point, I've realised I forgot to photograph the next spread. It's a real shame it's too dark to photograph it now, because it's a magical scene. From a distant vantage point, you get to see the top of the mountain Father Christmas's house is built on. And spreading out below the house are all the little cottages the Elves live in, with the lights on, casting lovely reflections on the snow. And all the Pine trees amongst the cottages are decorated with fairy lights. The little street lamps are lit, wisps of smoke come from the chimneys, and there are tiny footprints in the snow, leading from the Elves cottages up to Father Christmas's house. You can also see the tiny silhouettes of the Elves, waving to Father Christmas in his sleigh, and the Reindeer, as they set off on Christmas eve.

And now for the next picture.

Father Christmas has arrived at Holly's house, and he's brought Holly her present!

It's a ticket, and he's holding it in his hand, in the picture above.

It's a ticket for 'one sleigh ride'!

I can not believe it, I've bloomin well not photographed the sleigh ride! I'm so sorry, this wasn't done on purpose to tantalise you, I don't know what happened, I'm really sorry about this.

Well, the missing picture is a magical scene of Holly on the sleigh with Father Christmas, woolly hat, mittens and scarf on, tucked up under her own special blanket, speeding through the night sky as the reindeer pull the sleigh along.

When Holly returns home, she realises she hasn't been dreaming, because there is an envelope at the bottom of her bed, and when she looks out of her window, she can see Father Christmas speeding off into the distance. Holly's wish, that she dared not ask, has come true!

And what's in the last envelope?

A card from Father Christmas, a very lovely card. But that's not all.............. no.............

A little piece of magickery. 

It's Holly's ticket, as areminder of her sleigh ride, and on the front is the above picture.

And the image MOVES! You turn it this way and that and the figures wave, and the Reindeer nod their heads, making the stockings sway back and forwards. I understand the technical term fro this wizardry is a 'Lenticular'.

Look, I'll move the card slightly, and you can see the figures move their arms:

It was a HUGE amount of fun illustrating this story, and I put an enormous amount of work into it, making sure I paid attention to the tiniest detail. I think my favourite gift in this book is the Lenticular, there's just something magical about an image that moves.

Just in case you're intrigued by this book, and fancy owning a real life copy, with all its magical bits'n'bobs inside, I can show you where to find it on Amazon. For Amazon U.K. you can find the link here (hardback copy), or here (paberback copy). And for the United States Amazon, there's a link to it  here (paperback copy), here (mini edition).

I think I might be ready for a warming Sherry, sitting by the wood burning stove downstairs. I do hope you enjoyed this bedtime story?! It's made me feel very Christmasy indeed, I can almost hear jingle bells outside................... Maybe I should look out of the window? What do you think?

Have a lovely weekend, my dear, dear readers, and see you next week!

Love Vanessa xxx

Comments

[gill]

oh vanessa
what have you done?? now i'm going to have to get this book as well!!
i think i might actually like this one even better than the first!!
have a great weekend
gill xxx
ps how was knitting group on wednesday??

[Megan Kay]

Wow you are super talented! Have you done any other books? I love all the colour, but then from reading your blog, you use colour everywhere so it is no wonder that your illustrations would be beautiful and bright. You really are a colour technician!

(also, just wondered whether the tutorial for the beautiful crochet squares scarf that you blogged about a while ago is still coming? I am just starting out at crochet and I think this would be a great project for me to start on. xx)

[Jo in Cornwall]

Vanessa, you have an amazing talent. I have been totally drawn into the stories from these 2 books. Your illustrations are mouth wateringly lovely! I know what you mean about working in isolation with a lack of feedback, but please have no doubt that you are outstanding. I love the attention to detail and all the things that are happening in the background. These are books you can come back to time and time again and see something new each time. Thank you for sharing them. Excuse me now but I must dash to amazon to buy them!
Jo x

[Bee]

Oh my grandson is going to especially love the advent calendar. :-)

[Grammy]

Beautifully done! I love all the thought you put into every piece. The dust pan shows even Santa has to have his sled clean. Thanks for sharing you wonderful creations.

[French Knots]

This is one of my son's favourite Christmas books, there is so much to look at and talk about on each page. Your illustrations are amazing!
He is totally impressed that we can send you a message and let you know how much we love it!x

[Hen]

Golly, what a talented girl you are, Vanessa! I just love these books, they so convey the magic of Xmas, seeing into Father Christmas's world, all the little details is right up my street. Do you think I'm too old for these books because I reeeeeally want them (please). Do you keep all the original paintings? I've loved seeing your work in these books, it has really made them come alive.
Love Hen xxx

[Isabelle (France)]

Purely magical, like the new one! I think I might not be able to resist!
I do feel christmasy today, it snowed in the night and we're getting the tree today. Bliss!
Isabelle xx

[Regina]

Vanessa your illustrations are AMAZING!
I totally love them! As soon as my dear one knows to read English a little better I know what I will figt to her :-).
And this really is a HUGE compliment, as I totally "believe" in the Christkind (see the "christ child" brings the presents in Austria and I usually don't like to see all the importet Santas everywhere)...
I love to get illustrated children's books, and I spend hours at book shops - I agree with you, online shopping sometimes does not show enough. So, thanks again for showing your work!!!

[sue]

Another beautiful book you really are very talented I think I might have to buy them for myself!

Sue xxx

[julie]

oh Vanessa, these two books are both so beautiful. I love the elf's sparkle - it's so full of magic. I'll definitely be buying these for our December reads next year, and I'm eagerly awaiting my copy of "Diamond in the Snow" which is my Christmas present to my daughter - all ready for our bedtime story in January (I try to make the book relevant to the month, if you see what I mean). You are one incredibly talented lady, I'm so thrilled a little bit of your work will be finding its way into our house. Hope you have a great weekend x x

[cathleen]

Vanessa!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these amazing illustrations. You are so talented. I cannot wait until Monday, to sit both granddaughters on my lap and visit your blog and show them these two days of posts. They are going to be just as thrilled as I am with your photos. Can't wait, can't wait!!!!!!!! You have a sweet and charming magic about you, did you know that???

[penny]

Both those books are beautiful, Vanessa! As the mother of an illustrator I know just how much work has gone into them, however do you find time to blog as well (and crochet)! I went to the Pick n' Mix market yesterday (Kitshen Pink & Mrs Bobobun, it was brilliant) wearing my crochet scarf. The number of people who rushed up to me and said, 'It's like Vanessa's' and 'did Vanessa make it for you'! You are famous in North Norfolk!Penny x (Planet Penny)

[martha]

I'm so excited to see your book in person!! (had to order a copy for the little one!!) She'll love it! And so will I!!

[Kate Bruning]

I have just ordered this book online (from an NZ supplier) for the boys's - I can't wait to read it to them and more importantly, leave it casually on the table so that when people comment on it I can say "Yes, a terribly dear friend illustrated it". I am still looking for the other one too - maybe a quick trip to town today might work a treat. Take care most cleverestest Vanessa in all the world. xxooxxooxx

[Steph]

Oh mu goodness - I never put two and two together. This book is one of my little boys favourites, its right in front of me now in our Christmas book basket. Our youngest has discovered it this Christmas and just loves all the surprises.

Thanks for adding so much to our Christmas storytime rituals, we must get the new one. What a talent you are!

Have a super Christmas
Stephxx

[Siobhan]

Totally magical!!
What a huge project it must have been; you must have gallons of vision and imagination to be so creative - illustrations are sooo important. I'm amazed you have creative energy left for the gorgeous crochet and knitting that you do. Still, as they say if you want something done ask a busy person. Obviously endless procrastination (my own downfall) is not required. Those books are jam-packed with stuff too aren't they? Letters and calendars and Christmas card - great fun. I'm sometimes amazed by all a book can be. Art is a wonderful talent to have - incredible that children are often 'persuaded' away from it. Good job you weren't!

[Kimbles]

Hi Vanessa - I know I must be a little slow I did read that you illustrated books but it didn't realy sink in but OH MY!!it has now, these are STUNNING!! What a talented artist you are - you must be proud, proud, proud! I am going to have to buy some for grandchildren that I don't have yet!!!!! Kim

[Stephie]

It made me smile when I noticed that quite a lot of stripey knitwear features in your lovely story too! :)

[Emma]

Vanessa, what an absolutely magical book. The little extras are wonderful. I am going to buy it for my little ones. I'm off to the Amazon site now. Thankyou so much for showing us your fabulous illustrations. Emma x

[Simone]

Absolutely wonderful! I wish I had just the teeniest sprinkling of your talent and I would be very happy. I bet this is a book that parents will get out year after year at Christmas time. x