Book Birthday ~ Thank You, Teacher
Hello, sweetest ones! How are we all?
Somehow, it’s almost summer, and I find myself in subtle disbelief. Was it the unusually hot weather we’ve had that disrupted my usual routine, or the influx of projects I’ve been juggling? Who can say. Regardless, we’ve made it this far, and I hope the year so far has been kind to you.
Today is a special post, celebrating the recent publication of my new children’s book, Thank You, Teacher, published by Hachette. This project kept me company through the slow weeks of January and is my first book created entirely in pencil (excluding the cover)! It was both a challenge and a joy to create, and honestly, I absolutely loved it. Through those quiet months, the heart-warming sketches gave me much comfort, and I managed to complete the whole book fairly quickly. It was a fast turnaround, taking just over a month to finish. April’s newsletter lifted the curtain on my process for this book. So if you’d like to read more about it, you can do so here.
Last weekend, I headed down to a sun-soaked Manchester to see the first copies of Thank You, Teacher on the shelves of Waterstones and HOBAF. It truly was a pinch-me moment. Seeing something I’d created by hand, printed and stocked in bookshops I’ve loved for a long time, I wonder whether there’s a word to describe the feeling it gave me. My inner child was so happy. I’m incredibly grateful for the guidance and support I had from my wonderful art directors, Samuel and Rosie, and, as always, my agent Mark. To work with people who are truly fans of your work is as fulfilling as holding the finished product. And of course, being a teacher myself, it was a pleasure to work on a book that will be drawn in, written in, and gifted by small hands to their teachers. I value connection deeply in my work, and I felt that at the heart of this little book. I’ve been celebrating with long, drawn-out moments of gratitude this month, with bookshop visits, lots of unboxings, and the odd piña colada. It’s been wonderful.
Let’s catch up!
While I was finishing up the edits for Thank You, Teacher, my agency took some future projects I’m optimistic about to the Bologna Book Fair. I couldn’t attend myself this year, as I recently started a new arts administration job in the city centre. While this means I’m no longer a full-time freelancer, the role brings a helpful boost in income during a quieter season for book projects. I still get to dedicate a couple of days each week to my beloved creative practice however, and the community projects that I get to be involved in adds another dimension to my life as a creative in the northern arts community. This change in routine has also made me curious about how other freelancers balance their time and income. From conversations with friends in the same field, it seems to be a constant, shifting balance. I do love it though, and I have a feeling this summer will give me a little more space to settle into these new roles and provide me with time to enjoy making art just for me.
I’ve also been spending a lot of time with people I love. It’s deeply nourishing, and has become more and more apparent how much I value connection. This month, the Drawn In gang and I visited the colourful Caterpillar Press to brainstorm a future risograph workshop, which I’m sure will be a hit with the creative communities in Manchester and Stockport! It’s always a joy catching up with Nicola, Jordan, Louise, and Nathan, and hearing about their own projects and progress. I also went on a Sketch & Stretch retreat with my dear friend Amber, which was a dream. It was led by Emma Thorlby, and I got to meet the lovely Caroline Dowsett! I even went to my first Eurovision party, which was MAD. I did enjoy this one however, from Latvia. Alongside a few private painting events and mentoring a third-year illustration student, it’s been a busy, variety-filled season. I guess I really am living the life of an illustrator!
So, what’s next? I’m currently working on a sweet community project in partnership with Bury Art Museum. I’m collaborating with a lecturer from my old university, Manchester Metropolitan, and the stories I’ll be illustrating have been written by children, some from my old primary school, so this is a project that is incredibly close to home. I won’t be doing full-page illustrations for this one, which should, in theory, make the process a little quicker. I’ve really enjoyed the collaborative nature so far, and I’m excited to see how the illustrations develop.
Thank you, as always, dear friends, for being here, for reading, liking, and supporting in every way you do. It never goes unnoticed. I wish you all a creative season ahead. Let me know what you’re working on in the comments below!
See you around!
C x
Dancing in the Rain ~ Book Birthday!
“You dance love, and you dance joy, and you dance dreams” ~ Gene Kelly
Dearest friends, how are you?
I can’t quite believe it has been a year since Dancing in the Rain first arrived into the world. To be honest, I thought I’d have more time to reflect on this milestone, but the last few months have been something of a whirlwind. Between workshops, a new book, and the usual ebb and flow of creative work, I find myself almost a year older and a year busier. But I didn’t want to let this moment slip by without pausing to celebrate it properly.
My dear friend and author of the book Giulia Zucchini has been bringing the book to life across Italy, sharing the beautiful story of Olmo’s discovery of the legendary Gene Kelly — an encounter made possible by Giulia’s own son’s love of the dancing legend. With references to Kelly’s films and memorabilia, the book introduces young readers to the timeless artistry of Kelly, whose influence on dance and film continues to shine many years after the films first came to our screens. The first presentation was in Padua, last spring, at Pel di Carota. After this there were many others; the book began to travel around Italy and in some libraries and independent bookstores. In Bologna, at Giannino Stoppani - Libreria per ragazzi, Giulia sat in conversation with Marcella Terrusi (University of Bologna), sharing how the book came to be, and the hidden details that are scattered throughout the pages.
Last November, Dancing in the Rain found itself at La Gang del Pensiero in Turin, where Giulia shared the book among vintage photographs and eager young faces.
To mark the first anniversary, Giulia hosted a special event on February 15th at Castello di Carta - Libreria per ragazzi, where children became part of the story—dancing, creating paper dolls inspired by Gene Kelly, and discovering the magic of movement and imagination. The event, in collaboration with Curci Young Editions, was a joyful celebration of art, film, and storytelling. The children were invited not just to listen, but to move. The story came alive through dance, laughter, and the tapping of small feet. At the end of the event, each child left with their own handmade Gene Kelly paper doll, a tiny memento of the day.
I wish I could have been there for all of it. The photos alone made me want to hop on a plane and join in. I am grateful to Giulia and the Edizioni Curci team who have cared for our book. I would also like to thank Mrs. Patricia Ward Kelly for always supporting this project and for continuing to follow this adventure with great affection.
There’s still more celebrating to do, more children to introduce to Gene Kelly, more tiny feet ready to step into the magic. For now, though, I just want to say thank you. To everyone who has held this book, read it, shared it, and danced along.
🎉 Happy first birthday, Dancing in the Rain! 🎉