Local artist Emma Weakley is about to have her first book published – and she’s still a teenager.
Wellington publisher Random Static will be releasing “Jack and the Beanstalk”, a quirky take on the classic fairytale.
“Emma’s illustrations are delightful,” said Random Static editor Kelly Buchanan.
“The story is simple enough for young children, but the sense of humour and the little details in the artwork make it entertaining for adults who haven’t completely lost touch with their inner child, too. It’s a bit outside our usual remit, but we enjoyed it too much to pass up.”
“I didn’t expect anything to come of this little project, so it is very exciting to have it published,” said Emma. She lives on the Kapiti Coast and turned 19 last November.
She likes drawing monsters, listening to irritating music, and quiet days investigating dead things on the beach. Last year, she won the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Professional Art, for her cover illustration for “Newtons Sleep”.
The SJV Awards are presented anually by SFFANZ, New Zealand’s national organisation for science fiction and fantasy.
official launch
The official launch for “Jack and the Beanstalk” is taking place at 2pm on Saturday the 20th of February, at Crossways, 6 Roxburgh St, Mt Victoria. Emma will be performing a reading and signing copies of the book, and the original art, concept sketches, and paintings will be on display. Light refreshments will be provided.
purchase
“Jack and the Beanstalk” will be available via Random Static’s web site (www.randomstatic.net) and all good bookstores.
