Gecko Press Blog

Welcome to a combobulation of articles from our favourite thinkers, stories from behind the scenes, lists of good books, Gecko Press news and things that amuse us from time to time.

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Q&A with illustrator Miho Satake

The Fierce Little Woman and the Wicked Pirate is an enduring story by Joy Cowley that was first published as a school reader in 1984. Gecko Press published a picture book edition illustrated by Sarah Davis in 2010. In 2024, Japanese publisher Tokuma Shoten commissioned Miho Satake to create illustrations to go alongside their Japanese… Read more »

A story that travels across oceans and generations

By Rachel Lawson The Fierce Little Woman and the Wicked Pirate has the kind of publishing history you find with Joy Cowley’s most enduring stories. The tale of the fierce little woman who walked up and down the jetty playing her bagpipes to the seagulls was originally published in 1984 as a school reader. Gecko… Read more »

In the studio with David Barrow

Have You Seen Dinosaur and Have You Seen Elephant sitting on a table.

David Barrow is author and illustrator of Have You Seen Elephant? and Have You Seen Dinosaur?  Come in to his studio… My studio is at the bottom of my garden. It’s built from an old outbuilding previously used by Kettering shoemakers to make shoes from home. It’s warm, has internet, and is my happy place…. Read more »

A letter from the translator of Giraffe Island

Julia Marshall is the former publisher of Gecko Press and still our number one translator from Swedish. We asked her to write about translating Giraffe Island by Sofia Chanfreau and Amanda Chanfreau. Giraffe Island is a magical realist mystery adventure for 8- to 12-year-olds. It is a playful, fresh and beautifully written story about a… Read more »

A Lot of Silly: Illustrated Q&A with David Barrow

David Barrow has an MA from the Cambridge School of Art, where he now teaches. His first book, Have You Seen Elephant?, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Prize, longlisted for the Klaus Flugge Prize, and received a Dutch Silver Pencil award. It has also been translated into 11 languages. Barrow won the Sebastian Walker Award and has since written and illustrated many picture books and illustrated a children’s novel.

Q&A with Aurore Petit for the Picture Me illustration festival

Explore Aurore Petit’s creative process, from observing children’s daily life to crafting picture books that resonate with both kids and adults. Learn more here!

Q&A with Antje Damm for the Picture Me illustration festival

Discover how Antje Damm blends architecture with storytelling in her unique picture books. Learn about her creative process, inspirations, and upcoming Picture Me Festival visit.

Ulrich Hub Q&A: One Wise Sheep

Ulrich Hub’s ‘One Wise Sheep’ is a humorous retelling of the nativity story from the perspective of sheep, blending comedy with thought-provoking themes for children.

Exploring Whānau and Words: An Author Interview with Gavin Bishop

Gavin Bishop has created four board books for the very young that introduce first words and concepts through a lens of whānau and our place in the world. The direct gaze of child and adult faces draws the reader into each illustration, while single words spark conversation about objects, emotions, relationships and more. The series… Read more »

Giraffe Island — Q&A with Sofia Chanfreau & Amanda Chanfreau

Sofia Chanfreau’s ‘Giraffe Island’ is a magical adventure about Vega and her unseen animal friends. Discover the mystery and magic. Available August 2024.

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