Jeanne is an internationally acclaimed children's author. Her work has been awarded numerous prizes, including the Red House Children's Book Award and the NestlĂ Children's Book Prize. She was also shortlisted for the Whitbread Award in 2004. She lives in London with her husband and two children. When she's not in her East London studio, you can find Jenni Desmond cooking, cycling, and swapping city life for long hikes down by the sea shore or up in the hills and the mountains. Having graduated with a master's degree in children's book illustration from the Cambridge School of Art (UK), her debut picture book Red Cat Blue Cat won the Cambridgeshire Read it Again! Award in 2012. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages since, and in 2015 Jenni was named Best Emerging Talent (Illustrator) at the Junior Design Awards (UK). In 2016, she was made a Maurice Sendak Fellow and her book The Polar Bear became a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the year.
Part quirky creation myth, part friendship fable... an inviting
setting for readers to explore themes of friendship, sharing, and
stewardship.
*Children's Books Ireland*
Written like a spider's web - delicate and strong - The First
Slodge contains equally impressive illustrations, full of flowing
movement and energy with a sumptuous palette of soothing and
sophisticated greens and blues.
*Playing By the Book Blog*
A witty tale of a strange creature who wants to keep everything to
itself, the message underlying this book is that sharing and
friendship are far more rewarding than ownership. We like the
originality and the simple illustrations.
*Mr Fox Magazine*
We love the way this book wraps up - with a joyous page spread
celebrating the diversity of life and how we truly do take for
granted how we share our space in the world with a zillion other
amazing creatures. But ... The Slodge is definitely the star and we
absolutely ADORE her, squishy and green as she is!
*Read It Daddy Blog*
Learning to take a place in society and to become yourself amongst
others that share the world with you is a large undertaking for a
children's picturebook. But with careful text and sensitivity
towards the Slodge and her journey, Jeanne Willis has pulled it off
beautifully. This coupled with Jenni Desmond's friendly, playful
illustrations (with fantastic facial expressions) deliver the large
undertaking marvellously. The First Slodge is an original read with
a superb sense of judgement and understanding, and I would gift
this book to any child, young or old.
*Books for Keeps*
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