Pavilion

Introducing the latest pocket editions from bestselling colouring book illustrator Millie Marotta

We’re celebrating the release of two new Millie Marotta Pocket Colouring Books with a competition giveaway! Three lucky winners will get two wonderful portable copies of Millie Marotta’s Secrets of the Sea and Woodland Wild perfect for colouring on the go. Featuring over 80 illustrations in each book, here is a host of delightful creatures that are ready to be brought to life with your pens and pencils.

Discover the wondrous wildlife from the arctic waters to the balmy Australian coast, and wander through a world of towering trees and leafy canopies guaranteeing hours of relaxation and colouring fun. With intriguing creatures from jellyfish, seahorses, manatees and polar bears to lemurs, leaf frogs and ladybugs, indulge your creativity and enjoy the perfect mindful activity.

We have 3 sets of books to giveaway!

The lucky winners will receive a copy of both Secrets of the Sea and Woodland Wild, worth £11.98. To enter, simply fill out your details below.

 

 

The competition is open to residents of the UK until 7th April 2023. We will contact you shortly if you are one of our lucky winners.

 

         

 

 

 

 

As the weather warms and we return to the sanctuary of our favourite outdoor spaces, author Claire Masset explores the mystery of what it is that makes us love gardening in her new book Why We Garden. Hear from three famous gardeners on what makes the garden special for them.

Delving into history, science, art and philosophy of centuries past, Why We Garden is a quaint little book and a hymn to gardening, drawing inspiration from the gardening greats. From ancient Greek and French philosophers, via the wisdom of Margery Fish and Gertrude Jekyll, to Monty Don and modern-day gardeners ­– this is a thoughtful little book for everyone with green fingers. Read on to find out what makes the garden such a special place for painter Claude Monet, novelist Elizabeth Von Arnim and Sissinghurst co-creator Harold Nicolson.

‘I must have flowers,

always, and always.’

Claude Monet

 

Monet didn’t have just any flowers though; his artist’s eye and horticultural knowledge told him which plants to select and where to put them to create a garden which was, quite simply, beautiful. Isn’t that what all gardeners want – a mini Giverny? Not a smaller, facsimile version, but what it represents: a satisfying creative endeavour, a visual delight. Monet, the ultimate artist-gardener, loved his garden perhaps even more than his painting. For the last 43 years of his life, it was his inspiration, his joy, his world. But it was also, he confessed, his ‘most beautiful masterpiece’. Our natural desire to create beauty is nowhere better served than in a garden, and this is despite gardening’s many challenges. It is the most difficult art to get right. To be successful, you need to create a complete experience: one that you can look at, like a painting, but also walk around. A garden is a space you inhabit. It envelops you, not just with its physical boundaries, but with its spirit – a distinct nature incorporating movement, light and sound, which the gardener has helped to fashion.

 

‘The garden is the place

I go for refuge and shelter,

not the house.’

Elizabeth Von Arnim

 

In Elizabeth and her German Garden (1898), the eponymous heroine escapes into the garden whenever she can. ‘In the house are duties and annoyances, but out there blessings count me at every step,’ she writes. Her garden is her sanctuary, where she feels ‘protected and at home’, where ‘every flower and weed is a friend and every tree a lover. When I have been vexed I run to them for comfort, and when I have been angry without just cause, it is there I find absolution.’ Her garden even bestows kindness and forgiveness.

 

‘A series of escapes from the world’

Harold Nicolson

 

Harold Nicolson, co-creator of Sissinghurst with his wife Vita Sackville-West, described his plot as ‘a succession of privacies’. The garden ‘rooms’ amount to a ‘series of escapes from the world, giving the impression of cumulative escape.’ Because of this, Sissinghurst ‘has a quality of mellowness, of retirement, of unflaunting dignity.’ Anyone who has been lucky enough to enjoy its famous White Garden on a quiet day will know what he means. Theirs was not one sanctuary but a string of them, each with its own atmosphere, each a garden in itself, self-contained and introspective. The vibrant yet homely Cottage Garden, the romantic Rose Garden, the light-suffused Nuttery, the peaceful Herb Garden – all share that same quality of quiet withdrawal.

 

Why We Garden is available to buy from good booksellers and online.

Illustrations by Claire Harrup

 

Why We Garden

Claire Masset | £14.99

 

Invigorating spring poems to enjoy from the beautiful seasonal anthology A Nature Poem for Every Spring Evening.

The arrival of spring sees the natural world beginning to awaken. As the season progresses and the days get noticeable longer, we’ll soon have lighter evenings that we all can enjoy. Spring is a season much loved by poets for all the promise it holds. This season of new beginnings is celebrated in A Nature Poem for Every Spring Evening, edited by Jane McMorland Hunter, featuring 91 poems from March through to May. Here are three poets’ takes on this season of change, to stir your excitement for this fleeting but delightful time of year.

 

An April Day

Breezes strongly rushing, when the North-West

stirs,

Prophesying Summer to the shaken firs;

Blowing brows of forest, where soft airs are free,

Crowned with heavenly glimpses of the shining

sea;

Buds and breaking blossoms, that sunny April

yields;

Ferns and fairy grasses, the children of the fields;

In the fragrant hedges’ hollow brambled gloom

Pure primroses paling into perfect bloom;

Round the elms rough stature, climbing dark and

high,

Ivy-fringes trembling against a golden sky;

Woods and windy ridges darkening in the glow;

The rosy sunset bathing all the vale below;

Violet banks forsaken in the fading light;

Starry sadness filling the quiet eyes of night;

Dew on all things drooping for the summer rains;

Dewy daisies folding in the lonely lanes.

 

Laurence Binyon (1869–1943)

 

 

 

Very Early Spring

 

The fields are snowbound no longer;

There are little blue lakes and flags of tenderest green.

The snow has been caught up into the sky –

So many white clouds – and the blue of the sky is cold.

Now the sun walks in the forest,

He touches the bows and stems with his golden fingers;

They shiver, and wake from slumber.

Over the barren branches he shakes his yellow curls.

Yet is the forest full of the sound of tears …

A wind dances over the fields.

Shrill and clear the sound of her waking laughter, Yet the little blue lakes tremble

And the flags of tenderest green bend and quiver.

 

Katherine Mansfield (1888–1923)

 

 

 

The Enkindled Spring

This spring as it comes bursts up in bonfires green,

Wild puffing of green-fire trees, and flame-filled

bushes,

Thorn-blossom lifting in wreaths of smoke between

Where the wood fumes up and the flickering, watery

rushes.

I am amazed at this spring, this conflagration

Of green fires lit on the soil of the earth, this blaze

Of growing, these smoke-puffs that puff in wild

gyration,

Faces of people blowing across my gaze!

And I, what sort of fire am I among

This conflagration of spring? the gap in it all – !

Not even palish smoke like the rest of the throng.

Less than the wind that runs to the flamy call!

 

D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930)

 

A Nature Poem for Every Spring Evening is available to buy from good booksellers and online.

Illustrations by Jessamy Hawke

 

A Nature Poem for Every Spring Evening 

Jane McMorland Hunter | £14.99

Explore our list for the perfect Mother’s Day gift this year

Bringing a smile to the faces of all types of mum, scroll down to see our list of gorgeous titles for Mother’s Day 2023.

 

Simple Weave

Kerstin Neumüller | £14.99

For the creative mums out there, discover a world of weaving on the go with Kerstin Neumüller’s latest book Simple Weave. With bags of inspiration for those who have never woven but are eager to try, Kerstin demonstrates how you can weave with tools that are easy to make yourself and often small enough to fit in your pocket. With practical and beautiful keepsakes to make, including Scandi-style bands, bracelets, pencil, laptop cases and wall hangings, enjoy the mindfulness and rhythm of this traditional craft and create bespoke, contemporary pieces to fit any style.

 

Why We Garden

Claire Masset | £14.99

If gardening is the activity of choice for your mum, then this beautifully illustrated compilation is the perfect gift for her. Both a hymn to gardening and a call to action, this down-to-earth guide is worth a hundred ‘how-tos’. Wander the gardens of Giverny with Monet to create your own ‘beautiful masterpiece’ or, like George Orwell, reap the joy to be found in the work of a vegetable plot. Drawing on the wisdom of artists, scientists, historians, and philosophers – from Voltaire to Monty Don – this thoughtful guide explores the mystery of why we love our gardens.

 

Bedside Companion for Book Lovers

Jane McMorland Hunter | £20.00

If your mum spends her holidays wrapped in novels, then Bedside Companion for Book Lovers by Jane McMorland Hunter is a fitting gift. The ultimate ‘book about books’, this glorious treasury of literary curiosities is an eclectic mix of fact and fiction, letters, diaries, essays and dedications, all suffused with the joys of books and reading. From Charles Dickens thoughts on the smell of books to Maya Angelou on the pleasures of reading aloud, along the way you’ll find advice on how to look after your most precious volumes, what to do when books start taking over your home, and where to find the most atmospheric libraries and bookshops around the world. Gift this beautifully illustrated book for her bedside table and open the portal into a magical world of books every night of the year.

 

Nordic Baby Crochet

Charlotte Kofoed Westh | £17.99

For brand-new grandmas who can’t wait to get hands-on, Nordic Baby Crochet by Charlotte Kofoed Westh showcases easy to follow crochet patterns to create beautiful baby clothes and accessories without the need for arduous assembly. If crafting is your mother’s relaxing pastime, then spark her interest with these gorgeous modern designs and simple patterns for adorable baby clothes. Perfect for experienced chrocheters as well as those just starting out, the accessible step-by-step guides will walk readers through the process with ease to make cardigans, dresses, bibs, blankets, hats and more.

 

A Happy Poem to End Every Day

Jane McMorland Hunter | £20.00

These days we’re all in need of a little nugget of happiness to help soothe our weary souls at the end of the day. A Happy Poem to End Every Day provides just that: one sublimely happy poem for every day of the year, from cosy fireside idylls in winter to outdoor adventures in summer, encounters with the beauty of nature in spring and moments of quiet reflection in autumn. Featuring some of the greatest poets ever to put pen to paper, from William Wordsworth on the joy of skating and Emily Brontë enjoying life on the moors to Simon Armitage catching a cricket ball and Wendy Cope sharing an orange, with a good smattering of classic jolly verse such as Edward Lear’s The Owl and the Pussycat. This is the perfect mindful reading for those busy mums who should take a minute to relax with some beautiful examples of poetry.

 

Diana – The Life and Legacy of the People’s Princess

Brian Hoey | £12.99

A beautiful keepsake for the millions of fans of Princess Di, this commemorative book is a thoughtful portrait of the former Princess of Wales by royal biographer Brian Hoey, paying tribute to the life of this remarkable young woman. Admired throughout the world for her vitality, compassion, determination and beauty, she brought a new dimension to the Royal Family and quickly became regarded as one of the most glamorous women in the world. Now, more than a quarter of a century on, she remains universally loved as unprecedented in one from her generation and background. Illustrated with photographs from throughout her life, this is a beautiful book for any mother who adored the People’s Princess.

 

In celebration of World Book Day today, we have shared some extracts from the Bedside Companion for Book Lovers – a glorious anthology of thoughts and writing about the joy of books and reading. This beautiful book is an eclectic mix of fact and fiction, letters, diaries, essays and dedications from the greatest writers and book lovers throughout history.

From Virginia Woolf on the importance of finding space for writing to Charles Dickens on the smell of books, we have shared a few of our favourites for you to enjoy…

 

Serendipity in Hatchards Bookshop

Jane McMorland Hunter, author of Bedside Companion for Book Lovers

 

As well as editing and writing books, I work in Hatchards Bookshop

in Piccadilly, London. I started there as a Christmas temp in 1982

and misunderstood the word ‘temp’. I’m still there. Obviously I think

it’s a Good Bookshop, in fact I think it’s the best. And, I think, what

follows proves my point.

I usually work on the second floor (children’s and cookery) but

one busy day I had to go down to the first floor (fiction, poetry,

literary criticism, etc.) to find a book for a customer. I swept past the

desk and my elbow sent a display of little books flying. As I picked

them up, put them back and straightened the pile, I noticed the title:

The Unknown Unknown by Mark Forsyth. My curiosity was aroused

and, as well as the book for the customer, I took a copy of this little

book back up to the second floor. I read it and loved it, not least

because the way I had found it suited the book. I had had no idea

that it existed before chance, or serendipity, brought it into contact

with my elbow.

To quote Donald Rumsfeld in Mark Forsyth’s book:

‘There are things we know that we know. There are known

unknowns. That is to say there are things that we know we don’t

know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we

do not know we don’t know.’

As The Unknown Unknown shows, this statement, which might

appear perplexing but doesn’t, if you think about it, applies perfectly

to books.

 

Entry for February 2, page 49

 

Women and Fiction

From A Room of One’s Own, 1929 | Virginia Woolf (1882–1941)

 

The title women and fiction might mean, and you may have meant

it to mean, women and what they are like; or it might mean women

and the fiction that they write; or it might mean women and the

fiction that is written about them; or it might mean that somehow all

three are inextricably mixed together and you want me to consider

them in that light. But when I began to consider the subject in this

last way, which seemed the most interesting, I soon saw that it had

one fatal drawback. I should never be able to come to a conclusion.

I should never be able to fulfil what is, I understand, the first duty

of a lecturer – to hand you after an hour’s discourse a nugget of pure

truth to wrap up between the pages of your notebooks and keep on

the mantelpiece for ever. All I could do was to offer you an opinion

upon one minor point – a woman must have money and a room of

her own if she is to write fiction; and that, as you will see, leaves the

great problem of the true nature of woman and the true nature of

fiction unsolved. I have shirked the duty of coming to a conclusion

upon these two questions – women and fiction remain, so far as I am

concerned, unsolved problems.

 

Entry for January 19, page 31

 

 

Reading at Mealtimes

From The Anatomy of Bibliomania, 1930 | George Holbrook Jackson (1874–1948)

 

Reading at mealtimes has innumerable precedents, and much may

be said in support of it, in spite of those who would hold fast to the

conviction that eating is an art in itself which tolerates no rival; or

those others, more medically disposed, who give out that any exigent

concern at table, by obtruding itself upon ingestion, which is the

main object, sets up a disaffection of the inward parts and ends up in

dyspepsias and other gastric derangements. But their arguments

are none too sound, and, if true, would rule out conversation and

music, and all those other amenities which add so much to the

pleasure of dining.

 

Entry for May 4, page 153

 

 

Ballade of the Bookman’s Paradise

Andrew Lang (1844–1912)

 

There is a Heaven, or here, or there

A Heaven there is, for me and you.

Where bargains meet for purses spare

Like ours, are not so far and few.

Thuanus’ bees go humming through

The learned groves, ’neath rainless skies.

O’er volumes old and volumes new.

Within that Bookman’s Paradise.

There, treasures bound for Longepierre

Keep brilliant their morocco blue.

There Hooke’s Amanda is not rare,

Nor early tracts upon Peru!

Racine is common as Rotrou,

No Shakespeare quarto search defies.

And Caxtons grow as blossoms grow,

Within that Bookman’s Paradise.

There’s Eve – not our first mother fair –

But Clovis Eve, a binder true;

Thither does Bauzonnet repair,

Derome, Le Gascon, Padeloup!

But never come the cropping crew

That dock a volume’s honest size,

Nor they that ‘letter’ backs askew,

Within that Bookman’s Paradise.

ENVOY

Friend, do not Heber and de Thou,

And Scott, and Southey, kind and wise,

La chasse au bouquin still pursue

Within that Bookman’s Paradise.

 

Entry for August 1, page 256-7

 

Caring for Books

From The Enemies of Books, 1880 | William Blades (1824–1890)

 

The surest way to preserve your books in health is to treat them as

you should your own children, who are sure to sicken if confined in

an atmosphere which is impure, too hot, too cold, too damp, or too

dry. It is just the same with the progeny of literature.

 

Entry for September 3, page 294

 

Happiness in a Bookshop

From Martin Chuzzlewit, 1842–1844 | Charles Dickens (1812–1870)

 

[The bookshops] whence a pleasant smell of paper freshly pressed

came issuing forth, awakening instant recollections of some new

grammar had at school, long time ago, with ‘Master Pinch, Grove

House Academy,’ inscribed in faultless writing on the fly-leaf! That

whiff of russia leather, too, and all those rows on rows of volumes

neatly ranged within – what happiness did they suggest! And in the

window were the spick-and-span new works from London, with the

title-pages, and sometimes even the first page of the first chapter, laid

wide open; tempting unwary men to begin to read the book, and

then, in the impossibility of turning over, to rush blindly in, and buy

it! Here too were the dainty frontispiece and trim vignette, pointing

like handposts on the outskirts of great cities, to the rich stock of

incident beyond; and store of books, with many a grave portrait and

time-honoured name, whose matter he knew well, and would have

given mines to have, in any form, upon the narrow shell beside his

bed at Mr Pecksniff’s. What a heart-breaking shop it was!

 

Entry for September 13, page 304

 

If you’re looking for the perfect cosy Christmas gifts for your loved ones this winter, then scroll through our recommended list for some fireside reading.

Including some of our newest titles to wrap up the year, this heart-warming list of beautiful books will entertain you in your magical winter wonderland. From mighty architectural tomes, to quirky stocking fillers to inspire some Christmas giggles, curl up and enjoy the perfect book this year.

 

Architecture:

 

Building Utopia: The Barbican Centre

Nicholas Kenyon (ed) | £40.00

Dive into festive London with our vibrant celebration of The Barbican Centre. This beautifully designed book, published in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the iconic London landmark, contains a wealth of rare illustrative and incredible historic material from the Barbican’s archives, some never before seen in print, illuminating the plans and the programmes of the last forty years.

Opened in 1982, the Barbican has become one of the world’s foremost cultural centres. Drawing together in one architectural vision great spaces for theatre and dance, music of all genres, visual arts, cinema and creative learning, the Barbican is a microcosm of the changing world of culture and the arts in the post-war years. With detailed chapters by architectural experts such as Robert Hewison, Nicholas Kenyon and Elain Harwood, this visually stunning book is an essential companion to a unique, vibrant and ever-changing institution.

 

Brutalist Britain

Elain Harwood | £25.00

An illustrated guide to Britain’s finest examples of Brutalist architecture written by one of the UK’s foremost architectural historians, Brutalist Britain is the latest book in Elain Harwood’s series on 20th-century architectural styles, published in collaboration with the Twentieth Century Society (which also includes Mid-Century Britain, Art Deco Britain, and Post-modern Buildings in Britain). Brutalism was an architectural response to Britain’s greatest wave of levelling up between north and south, rich and poor, in the 1960s. It was far-sighted and well-meant, if crippled by unrealistic goals, uncertain funding and local corruption. Brutalist Britain assesses the finest architectural survivals from those heady times.

Featured within this tome of concrete is a mix of well-known British landmarks such as London’s National Theatre and Trellick Tower, nestled amongst a range of more obscure examples that we should know better. Brutalist private houses, flats, places of worship, offices and much more will provide a fascinating architectural escape for those looking to broaden their horizons this Christmas within the context of contemporary architecture.

 

100 20th Century Houses

Twentieth Century Society | £25.00

Looking for architectural inspiration this Christmas? This beautiful book with stunning photography celebrates Britain’s diverse housing styles through the 20th Century and beyond.

100 20th-Century Houses is a fascinating insight into Britain’s built heritage and the exciting and ground-breaking housing styles of the revolutionary twentieth century. Redesigned in this brand-new edition, this book showcases 100 houses that represent a range of architectural styles over the decades, from modernist to mock Tudor, arts and craft to brutalism. Featuring the work of renowned architects such as Walter Gropius, Edwin Lutyens, David Chipperfield and many more, there are homes built as part of garden cities, semi-detached suburban dwellings, housing estates, eco-houses, almshouses, converted factories and affordable post-war homes, showing that the twentieth century was an electrifying era for the built environment.

Accompanied by text from leading architecture critics and design historians, this compelling book gives a glimpse into the wonderful housing Britain has to offer and is a must-have for all fans of architecture.

 

Art Deco Britain

Elain Harwood | £25.00

Featuring a fabulous array of iconic architecture from the 1920s–30s, explore the glitz and glamour of the Art Deco era with this definitive guide by architectural historian Elain Harwood.

Nearly a century after Art Deco first lit up the luxury store and cinema screen, it remains as glamorous as ever. The style – also known as Jazz Modern or moderne until the 1960s – was transported by ocean liner across the world from its origins in Vienna and Paris, offering a slick of sophistication and succinct design to rich and poor alike. A perfect gift for anyone who loves architecture, this beautifully produced book is a definitive guide to a timeless building style.

 

 

 

Bedtime Reading:

 

A Nature Poem for Every Winter Evening

Jane McMorland Hunter | £14.99

Curl up by the fireside this winter with the first title in Batsford’s new seasonal poetry series. A wonderful bedside companion for a frosty winter’s evening, immerse yourself in the words of some of the finest poets to ever put pen to paper as they describe this beautiful and festive season. From Shakespeare to Keats, Wilde to Dickinson; this is the ideal book to take you through the darker months of the year as you wait for the snow to thaw.

 

Bedside Companion for Book Lovers

Jane McMorland Hunter | £20.00

The perfect gift for the bibliophile in your life; Bedside Companion for Book Lovers is an anthology of literary delights for every night of the year. An eclectic treasury of literary curiosities, this book contains a delightful mix of fact and fiction, letters, diaries, essays and dedications, all suffused with the joys of books and reading.

Here you’ll find Charles Dickens on the smell of books, Maya Angelou on the pleasures of reading aloud, Virginia Woolf on finding space for writing, Nick Hornby on reading for pure enjoyment, and much more. Along the way, there’s advice on how to look after your most precious volumes, what to do when books start taking over your home, and where to find the most atmospheric libraries and bookshops around the world.

This is the ultimate ‘book about books’ to keep by your bedside, and a must-have for any book lover this Christmas!

 

Anglo-Saxon Myths

Brice Stratford | £16.99

Transport yourself this Christmas to an archaic world overflowing with mythology, magic and all manner of beguiling creatures. An enchanting and atmospheric collection of 30 folk tales, beautifully illustrated by Jesús Sotés, this book is a portal into the fantasy world that inspired hugely popular sagas such as Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.

Dive headfirst into these ancient tales and timeless epics, told centuries ago by Anglo-Saxon storytellers around the fire. From the Wyrd who weave our fates, to Woden the Wyrm-wise and the flaming axe of Thunner that felled giants and dragons alike, there are tales to intrigue and inspire us all on a cold, dark night.

 

A Happy Poem to End Every Day

Jane McMorland Hunter | £20.00

These days we’re all in need of a little nugget of happiness to help soothe our weary souls at the end of the day. A Happy Poem to End Every Day provides just that: one sublimely happy poem for every day of the year, from cosy fireside idylls in winter to outdoor adventures in summer, encounters with the beauty of nature in spring and moments of quiet reflection in autumn.

The perfect new anthology to keep by your bedside, this bumper collection of 366 delightfully happy poems will raise your spirits before turning out the light. So lean into the Danish art of hygge and curl up with some candles to discover what literary delight each evening has in store.

 

Dark Fairy Tales of Fearless Women

Rosalind Kerven | £12.99

To celebrate the festive season, enter a world in which magic exists, hope wins and every woman’s heart is alive with courage!

In this feast of ancient tales, women and girls draw on their bravery, cunning and wit to overcome astonishing dangers and obstacles. Readers will shudder, cheer and laugh as the heroines face monsters, bandits, dragons and ghosts; admire their courage and wisdom and marvel as they defeat terrifying manifestations of the supernatural. Folklore expert Rosalind Kerven retells these historic folk stories from Scotland, Iceland, Japan, India, Hawaii, Arabia, Iran, Lesotho and all corners of the world.

 

 

 

Nature, Gardening and Pets:

 

A Flower A day

Miranda Janatka | £20.00

A perfect gift for anyone who loves flowers; A Flower A Day celebrates the beauty of flora with fascinating and richly illustrated stories for every day of the year. From gardener and horticultural writer Miranda Janatka, this glorious book of 366 flowers reveals not only their beauty but the fascinating botanical, literary, folkloric and historical stories behind them.

Take a tour around the world with species ranging from garden favourites such as the humble daisy, to the magnificent magnolia which evolved more than 95 million years ago during the Jurassic eras. Perfect for dipping in and out of, this is a stunning must-have book for any fan of flowers and gardening.

 

A Year of Birdsong

Dominic Couzens | £20.00

With a renewed interest over the last decade in learning about the natural world around us and how to protect it, this book is the perfect introduction to 52 different species of birds and their songs. A natural wonder that has captivated and fascinated people for generations, birdsong is the soundtrack to life. In this gorgeously illustrated book, leading bird expert and writer Dominic Couzens invites us to enjoy a myriad of birdsong, with one entry for every week of the year.

Appealing to anyone interested in birdwatching and for those looking to understand birds from every corner of the world, delve into a world of birdsong this Christmas.

 

Bedside Companion for Gardeners

Jane McMorland Hunter | £20.00

For your green-fingered relative or friend, this gorgeous anthology will bring the garden to their bedside every night of the year. A beautifully presented treasure trove of garden poetry and prose, practical advice and wildly impractical ideas; the Bedside Companion for Gardeners invites the reader to dip in and out and draws on writing through the ages. Featuring Vita Sackville-West on the abundance of tulips to Monty Don on the temporal nature of a garden, this book will bring the outdoors in for a moment of escape every evening, and is the perfect gift for any gardener.

 

Labradors and Whippets

Jane Eastoe | £12.99

A brand-new series for all dog lovers, Labradors and Whippets are two beautifully illustrated guides to dog breeds to give your furry friends the Christmas they deserve! Written from the point of view of the dogs themselves, these guides are packed full of information, tips and tricks to tell you what dogs want in their own words, woofs and wags.

Whether you’re getting a puppy for Christmas (and for life), or have been a dog-owner for decades, these playful and informative books take a fresh look at the world of dogs and explain everything you need to know about these lovable breeds, while celebrating their spirited personalities and their most adorable charms.

 

 

 

Art and Craft:

 

Millie Marotta’s Island Escape

Millie Marotta | £12.99

Swap the cold weather for some winter sun this year with Millie Marotta’s Island Escape.

‘Queen of colouring’ Millie Marotta is back with an exciting new book to bring to life with colour. Prepare to be whisked away by Island Escape on an adventure around the world where you’re invited to colour in a host of glorious island wildlife. Immerse yourself in a paradise where lizards lounge and sea birds soar, from Madagascar to the remote Svalbard, and Vancouver to the Galápagos Islands. There’s also exotic greenery to add a touch of colour to, from pitcher plants and orchids, to vines and prickly pear trees. Whether tropical or arctic, wind-blown or mountainous, far-flung or closer to home – an island escape full of glorious wildlife awaits to be coloured.

 

Adam Dant’s Political Maps

Adam Dant | £30.00

For the politically minded, artist and cartographer Adam Dant brings us a timely large-format collection of beautiful fine art maps looking at the fractious world of politics. With his intricate, witty and insightful images, he turns our attention to British politics and beyond; everything from Brexit to the pandemic, past invasions and independence movements, gentrification in London to arcane slang in Paris and New York.

With special attention on details such as Johnson’s London: Notorious places associated with the former Prime Minister, including all the houses he has ever lived in.

These glorious works of art are intricate, amusing and subversive, hugely imaginative and packed with eye-catching detail!

 

Art of the Limited Palette

Hazel Soan | £19.99

Get creative this winter with bestselling author and artist Hazel Soan as she teaches how to master the art of watercolouring with a limited palette. Using only three colours (sometimes up to five) she demonstrates how to achieve spontaneity and lightness in each painting. Learn how to choose, mix and apply colours for a fresh and lively result that captures a sense of character and place, with step-by-step instructions to guide your approach. The invaluable knowledge she has is showcased in Hazel’s own glorious watercolour paintings, interspersed throughout the book, which reveal how thoughtful combinations can provide infinitely rich and exciting possibilities for the budding watercolour artist.

 

Tom Eckersley

Paul Rennie | £25.00

For anyone with an eye for design, explore the extensive works of 20th century graphic design icon Tom Eckersley. A perfect coffee table book, featuring hundreds of his recognisable designs for posters and brands from London Transport and the BBC to Guinness and Shell, this richly illustrated book is a wealth of bold, bright colours and flat graphic shapes that are the timeless trademark of Eckersley’s style.

Within this book, design writer and former Eckersley archivist Paul Rennie gives a fascinating exploration of Tom Eckersley’s life and work: through the Second World War to his important role in mid-century graphic design in the decades after. A celebration of a true mid-century modern master, this is the first book on Tom Eckersley of its kind and will appeal to anyone interested in art and graphic design.

 

 

 

Stocking Fillers:

 

Brian Cook’s Cathedrals and Landscapes of England Jigsaw Puzzles

B.T Batsford | £15.99

Nothing says Christmas like a jigsaw puzzle – introducing Batsford’s brand-new series of jigsaws. Featuring vintage book cover artworks by Brian Cook, immerse yourself in his colourful vision of England with these two new jigsaw puzzles, based on Batsford book jackets from the 1930s. Much-loved, timeless pieces of illustrative art, and highly collectable, Cook’s book covers have been exploded into 1000 pieces, all held in a sustainable paper bag, providing hours of family fun and mindful entertainment this winter.

 

A History of the World in 100 Limericks

Mick Twister | £6.99

 

There is a young fellow named Mick

Who’s adapted the old limerick

To cover, with mirth

The whole history of Earth

And what made its characters tick.

Get your relatives giggling at Christmas with this bite-size book of the history of the world in five rib-tickling lines. These 100 lively and humorous limericks by London-based journalist Mick Twister take us back to the beginning of time itself: from the Big Bang to the present day. Covering everyone’s favourite history lessons (and a few surprising ones too), Mick cleverly raids the tomes of the past and picks at the bones of the world’s greatest figures, moments and events. Also a part-time cryptic crossword compiler, Mick Twister reports news in limericks on Twitter as @twitmericks, many of which have been reproduced by the Washington Post and the New Statesman.

The dinosaurs like Allosaurus

Died out quite a long time before us

Which worked in our favour –

We’ve such a nice flavour,

I doubt that they’d want to ignore us.

Cleopatra, Henry VIII, Mary Wollstonecraft, Rosa Parks, Alan Turing and many more all get the limerick treatment along with the Berlin Wall’s Rise and Fall, the Boston Tea Party and the moon landing. Whoever said that history was boring had clearly never read this book!

 

Such a Sweet Singing

Kirsty Gunn | £12.99

A beautiful collection of poems written to nourish, inspire and change those who read them. A selection of poems written by women, with women’s lives in mind, from the contemporary voices of Fiona Benson and Jane Yeh to the evocative imagery of Christina Rossetti, Anna Akhmatova and Emily Dickinson. These poems explore the worlds of desire and care, responsibility and work, family and friends. Their words empower us with strength and courage, fill us with verve and spirit, and inspire creativity and imagination.

As Gertrude Stein writes, ‘such a sweet singing’ is in the poetry that comes to us clear and lovely from out of the dark. Spanning the globe, from the 1st century to modern times, the voices in this collection are as relevant and powerful today as when they were first written.

Read these poems aloud. Remember them. Share them.

 

Sex Secrets

Eleanor Tattersfield | £12.99

The perfect Secret Santa gift for your friends, Sex Secrets takes a candid look into how we take our pleasures, from the author of the bestselling Lockdown Secrets. The scurrilous, salacious and often beautifully crafted postcards featured were all sent anonymously to Eleanor’s shop in central London, written by the nation. They reveal illicit liaisons, undisclosed longings, outrageous behaviour, and all manner of weird and wonderful sexual shenanigans. Prepare to get shocked and seduced by this reassuringly explicit book, where truly anything goes!

 

 

 

Perfect Presents from Pitkin:

 

Abbeys and Priories of Britain

Stephen Platten | £9.99

For those who love historic architecture, this book is a fascinating and definitive guide to the best surviving examples of monastic buildings that have inspired visitors from across the world for centuries. A treasury of over 1000 years of architecture and history, this book tells the story of Britain’s most impressive examples of religious buildings, both architecturally and how they shaped an evolving medieval society.

Divided into geographical locations within the early British Kingdom, the book features 67 abbeys and priories from England, Scotland and Wales. From world-famous centres of religion such has Westminster Abbey, to the more quaint example at the Carthusian ‘Mount Grace Priory’ in the North York Moors, explore the huge range of medieval ecclesiastical architecture right across Great Britain. With beautiful colour images and concise and accessible history, this guide is the perfect introduction to Britain’s abbeys and priories and a great starting point for planning next year’s excursions for anyone interested in architecture and heritage.

 

The Crown’s Royal Britain

Gill Knappett | £7.99

With a brand-new series just released on Netflix, this illustrated behind-the-scenes tour of the filming locations for ‘The Crown’ brings to life the recreated romance and intrigue at the heart of our royal family. Covering the first four series, this is the perfect opportunity for any fan of ‘The Crown’ to follow in the footsteps of royalty from location to location. From stunning Ely Cathedral that provides the backdrop to the iconic Westminster Abbey for Princess Elizabeth’s wedding, to Belvoir Castle, Hatfield House, Burghley House and many other examples of fabulous architecture, embark on a Great British adventure to see the best that the country has to offer.

Many of the featured sites on this royal tour of Britain are open to the public, so as well as learning about how these places played their part they are a great opportunity to plan a visit and enjoy the spectacle in person with friends and family this festive season.

 

Bridgerton’s England

Antonia Hicks | £6.99

Launched on Christmas Day 2020, Bridgerton instantly captured the world’s imagination with tales of romance in the Regency. With a spin-off series ‘Queen Charlotte’ set to release early next year, grab a copy of this gorgeous location guide to explore all the key filming sites in the series. Learn about the settings for the Bridgertons, Featheringtons, Lady Danbury, the Duke of Hastings, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, Somerset House, Primrose Hill, and the 18th-century dress shop ‘Modiste’ amongst others, with sites including Hampton Court Palace, Bath’s Royal Crescent, The Holborn Museum and Lancaster House to name but a few. For fans of stately homes and sweeping parks, this is the perfect little stocking filler this year.

 

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926–2022

Brian Hoey | £9.99

Long did she reign and peacefully may she rest: this beautiful and thoughtful tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates the life of a remarkable woman. With 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in British history. In this richly illustrated commemorative book of her life, royal biographer and broadcaster Brian Hoey describes the childhood, accession and coronation of young Elizabeth, and chronicles her extraordinary and dignified transfiguration into beloved wife, mother and grandmother during her seven decades of unflagging service and dedication as Queen of the United Kingdom and Head of the Commonwealth.

 

The Beatles’ Liverpool

Mike Haskins | £6.99

For all the Beatles’ fans, and there are so many, explore ‘Beatle Land’ and the iconic sites associated with their rise to fame and stardom. The ‘Fab Four’ were all born and brought up in Liverpool and this illustrated guide reveals why the city was crucial to their musical success. With locations behind hit singles such as ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ and ‘Penny Lane’, as well as famous music venue The Cavern Club, follow in the footsteps of the legendary band around Liverpool and Merseyside to explore more than 50 sites in the city they called home.

 

Peaky Blinders Location Guide

Antonia Hicks | £6.99

Capturing the world of Tommy Shelby and his racketeering gang from the hit BBC series that has enjoyed worldwide syndication, Peaky Blinders Location Guide reveals over 20 of the most notable sets from all six seasons. Set in the heartland of Britain’s industrial revolution; the West Midlands, the TV series has used locations right across Britain to fully emulate the historic industrial heritage of Birmingham in its 1920s state. Stations, mills, factories and grand houses all feature in this guide, along with Port Sunlight, Manchester’s Town Hall and the banks of the River Wharf. A binge-worthy favourite with so many viewers, pick up a copy of this book while settling into the latest season that is available on BBC Iplayer.

 

A History of Royal Britain in 100 Objects

Gill Knappett | £16.99

With the eyes of the world fixed on Britain’s royal family this year, this glorious book takes a regal journey through the centuries to discover the significance of 100 objects – some famous, others more obscure – that have shaped British history. Over 1000 years of royal history are told through these fascinating objects, from the glory of coronation regalia to coins, medals and stamps; each item in this book has a story to tell. Ordered chronologically by monarch, from Alfred the Great to Queen Elizabeth II, turn the pages to learn about the long and bloody royal history of this nation to the present day.

 

Our books are available from good bookshops and online booksellers. You’ll also find our recommended Christmas gift guide list on Bookshop.org.

 

The final addition to our Batsford Prize Artist Interview series is from textiles student Grace Faichnie, who won the prize for the Applied Art and Textiles category with her piece Beneath the Surface.

Grace is currently finishing her third year studying a BA (Hons) Textiles degree at the Arts University Bournemouth. Her winning creation Beneath the Surface is an under the sea themed textile collection for fashion, inspired by the beauty found beneath us. Created using digital print, fabric manipulation, laser cutting, crochet and stitch, the concept Grace wanted to achieve was bringing this hidden beauty to the surface in response to this year’s theme of ‘Communication and Connection’.

 

Hi Grace, what was your piece about? Can you tell us what initially influenced it and what it means to you?

My project was influenced by the hidden beauty found under the sea. I took lots of primary photographs of fish to help kickstart my inspiration. Being from Jersey in the Channel Islands I am surrounded by the sea which is where my initial ideas came from. The concept I wanted to achieve was bringing this hidden beauty to the surface.

 

What mediums or materials did you decide to use, and why?

Throughout my three-year degree at Arts University Bournemouth I was given the opportunity to explore a wide range of techniques. By doing so I was able to discover which techniques I preferred and was most successful in. Paper manipulation was one of the skills I gained. I thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with ideas using paper that I could later translate into fabric to create something more visually exciting. This technique is one I have carried all the way through my degree as part of my development process for each project. Other techniques I used included sublimation print, laser cutting, crochet, stitch and fabric manipulation.

 

What made you want to study textiles?

I have always had a love for textiles. I’ve enjoyed drawing and painting from a young age and my grandmother taught me how to knit and crochet. I studied textiles at GCSE and A Level which I thoroughly enjoyed and wanted to explore further at university.

 

What are your biggest artistic inspirations? Are there other artists who you admire or who inspire you?

There are many artists who have inspired me through my textiles journey. Artists and collections that have particularly inspired me include Bella Tela because of their innovative designs and use of iridescent fabric, Alexander McQueen’s Spring 2013 collection for his fabric manipulation, Versace’s Spring 2010 collection for his laser cut, reflective fabrics and influence of origami. I admired Prada for Miuccia’s Fall/Winter 2018 collection inspired by Las Vegas lights and uses a neon colour palette, Issey Miyake’s Spring/Summer 1997 collection that used sublimation print, fabric manipulation and fluorescent colours and Mary Katrantzou’s Autumn/Winter collection that uses print, appliqué and graphic shapes. Tatty Devine is a company that specialises in laser cut jewellery pieces which particularly inspired me during my third year.

 

How would you describe your style? Would you say that it has changed over time?

I would describe my style as high end women’s fashion that has a playful, contemporary feel to it. My style has definitely changed over time. It has matured and improved and become something that best represents me as a designer.

 

What does winning the Batsford Prize Applied Art & Textiles Award mean to you?

When I began my textiles course at university I remember being shown a PowerPoint of awards that previous students had won. I was so impressed by their variety of achievements and thought it must be amazing to achieve an award. It was a wonderful surprise to hear of the award during the same week I received my degree results. It has been a challenging few years adapting to working during the pandemic so it feels extra special to be recognised for my work.

I want to thank my tutor Anne Marie Howat for pushing me to enter competitions throughout the year as I could not  have done it without her. I am so grateful for winning the Batsford Prize especially as my university experience comes to a close!

 

After you have completed your studies, what do you see yourself doing next?

I would love to work for a women’s fashion brand as this is something I have specialised in from GCSE level and I am currently applying for jobs within this industry.

 

Find out more about Grace’s work here and follow her on instagram.

 

About the Batsford Prize

The Batsford Prize is an annual award open for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of applied art and textiles, fine art and illustration. View the winners and runners up of this year’s award here. The theme for the Batsford Prize 2023 will be revealed shortly…

So there we have all of our incredible winners from this year’s categories, and we are looking forward to inspiring you for the Batsford Prize 2023!

Interviews for the other winning categories are available to read here:

Artist Interview: Wuon Gean Ho, Batsford Prize 2022 Illustration Winner
Artist Interview: Annie Booker, Batsford Prize 2022 – People’s Choice Award Winner
Artist Interview: Nelson, Batsford Prize 2022 – Fine Art Winner
Artist Interview: Justin Worsley, Batsford Prize 2022 – Children’s Illustration Winner

 

 

In this interview we meet Justin Worsley, who is studying an MA in Children’s Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. His picture book Aliens in the Park has won the Batsford Prize Children’s Illustration category this year, responding to the theme ‘Communication and Connection’.

 

Aliens in the Park is a dummy picture book that talks about a young child’s imagination, the connection they have with their mother and their growing independence.

 

Hi Justin, what was your piece about? Can you tell us what initially influenced it and what it means to you?

The story is about the growing independence and vivid imagination of a young child out for a bike ride in the park with his mother, who is following along on foot.

I wanted to tell a story of the time in a young child’s life when they are starting to become more independent yet are still very strongly connected to their caregivers. I have had a love of cycling from the moment I first learned to ride a bike, to me cycling symbolises freedom and adventure, I also have always had a very strong bond with my mother and even in adulthood it has been constantly reassuring for me to know that she is there if I need her support. The aspect regarding the child’s imagination developed as I started to work on the story, I remember having a ‘eureka’ moment on a train journey from college to home when I was sketching cyclists in the park from my imagination and thought they might look a bit like aliens to a young child, with their funny helmets and skin tight clothing! The title of the book Aliens in the Park came from that moment. I have been lucky enough to live and work in various cities around the world, the park setting for the book is heavily influenced by Central Park in New York where I lived for 10 years but it could also be in any large city.

 

What mediums or materials did you decide to use, and why?

I like to work in free flowing materials as I feel they give a certain life and energy to my artwork, for this project I chose a limited colour palette of acrylic inks to paint my illustrations in. The limited colour palette of warm yellows and orange with dark blue helped to set the scene as autumn and I also feel it makes the artwork easier to read. I highlighted the boy using bright red for his helmet to draw the reader’s attention to his location on each page.

 

What made you want to study children’s book illustration?

I have always drawn and had a love of children’s book illustration from an early age. After secondary school I studied a BA Hons in Industrial Design at Northumbria University and went on to become a toy designer. It’s been a job that I have loved but now after over 25 years I am ready for a new adventure and becoming self employed has given me the freedom to study part time for the MA at Anglia Ruskin University and pursue a change in career.

 

What are your biggest artistic inspirations? Are there other artists who you admire or who inspire you?

I get inspiration from many places, from observing people going about their lives, from childhood memories, film, art and animation. Lately I find cycling is also a great source of inspiration, it’s a time when my mind wanders and often I’m struck with an idea and will pull over to the side of the road to make a note in my phone. I admire the work of so many children’s book illustrators, among my current favourites are Sydney Smith, Isabelle Arsenault, Beatrice Alemagna, Taro Gomi, Satoshi Kitamura and Christian Robinson. 

 

How would you describe your style? Would you say that it has changed over time?

I would say my style is constantly evolving and changing especially at this early stage in my journey. Through my artistic experimentation on the MA course I have discovered that I love to paint, so I guess you could call my style ‘painterly’. Rather than draw an outline and fill it with colour I like to paint freely, often I will make a few versions before I am happy. I also strive for simplicity and am happiest when my illustrations communicate my intention with the minimum amount of fuss and detail.

 

What does winning the Batsford Prize Children’s Illustration Award mean to you?

To have this recognition from a group of professionals in the world of publishing has given a big boost to my confidence. I believe that it will also be great help in my pursuit of ultimately getting the picture book published.

 

After you have completed your studies, what do you see yourself doing next?

My goal is to immediately start to transition from being solely a toy designer to also being an author/illustrator of children’s books. I also want to develop my new found love of painting further.

 

Find out more about Justin’s work here and follow him on his instagram.

 

About the Batsford Prize

The Batsford Prize is an annual award open for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of applied art and textiles, fine art and illustration. View the winners and runners up of this year’s award here. The theme for the Batsford Prize 2023 will be revealed shortly…

We’ve got one final artist interview still to come where we’ll meet Applied Art & Textiles winner Grace Faichnie. Available to read now are:

Artist Interview: Wuon Gean Ho, Batsford Prize 2022 Illustration winner
Artist Interview: Annie Booker, Batsford Prize 2022 – People’s Choice Award Winner
Artist Interview: Nelson, Batsford Prize 2022 – Fine Art Winner

 

Introducing the Batsford Prize Artist Interview series! Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll get to know the five winners of this year’s Batsford Prize a bit better as they tell us about their work, influences and what winning the Batsford Prize means to them.

 

First up is the winner of the Illustration category, Wuon Gean Ho, who is studying for a PhD in Printmaking at the University of the West of England. Her winning piece Covid Tales responded to this year’s theme ‘Communication and Connection’ by exploring the absurdity of pandemic life.

Featured image: Lockdown Chop (2020) by Wuon-Gean Ho. Linocut and monoprint, 15 x 20 cm

 

Horror Scroll (2020) by Wuon-Gean Ho. Linocut and monoprint, 15 x 20 cm.

Wuon-Gean working in the RA school’s print room, London, 2016. Photo by Wuon-Gean Ho

 

Hi Wuon Gean, what was your piece about? Can you tell us what initially influenced it and what it means to you?

Covid Tales is a six-minute video that tells the effect of lockdown on a woman (myself) living alone in London. The prints that illustrate this video speak of humour and irony before the pandemic even started: showing me travelling to Bristol from London on crowded buses and cycling in the rain, and working with dangerous animals at the local veterinary clinic.

Once isolated, I experienced the freedom of working from the bathroom on the floor with no trousers on; attempted yoga with a mobile phone, cut my own hair, and hung out with plants instead of friends. After a while, the enforced isolation and sense of danger felt like wearing a poisonous cloak: I missed my family and worried about them all the time; started to eat to excess; sob off-camera in zoom calls and became completely engulfed by multiplying computer screens.

The video ends with me re-entering the world and meeting people again, with another dangerous but comical moment with a dog and its owner.

 

Twenty Twenty (2020) by Wuon-Gean Ho. Linocut and monoprint, 15 x 20 cm.

 

What mediums or materials did you decide to use, and why?

Each image is a linocut print made with two blocks. I started making the series in 2016 after my dad broke his neck in a tragic accident. He was trapped in a care home and needed cheering up. Prints are portable and colourful and quick to make. I started to leave them pinned to the walls of his room after every trip, so there are lots of hidden narratives and in-jokes that appealed to his sense of humour. To date I’ve made almost 200 images in total.

 

What made you want to study printmaking?

I love ink on paper and the magic of making something with simple materials. With my PhD I’m researching elements of tacit knowledge in relief printmaking processes: in particular the gestures and performance of making a print, and how we are attentive to sound, pressure and touch in ways which are rarely explained in words.

Screen Overload (2020) by Wuon-Gean Ho. Linocut and monoprint, 20 x 15 cm.

 

What are your biggest artistic inspirations? Are there other artists who you admire or who inspire you?

Pina Bausch is a huge inspiration. She was a choreographer who used gesture to convey emotion and eloquent movement to tell complex narratives and talk of power dynamics. I love the absurd humour of Daumier as well. For technicality and packing movement into an image: well, of course Hokusai. There are many contemporary printmakers who astonish and inspire me, in particular, Sabine Delahaut, Minna Resnick and Kathryn Polk. Helen Frankenthaler for her approach to colour… I could go on!

 

How would you describe your style? Would you say that it has changed over time?

My style is diaristic and personal. I employ a roving perspective in order to convey a sense of space that revolves around the central characters. I like using looping compositions that bring the eye from one character to another. I might use photos as reference material, but most of my images are drawn from the mind’s eye. The colours are rich and intense. My style has changed in the past few years my last project was to see how far I could make a binary image blurry –– so all the work was in black and white.

 

Big Bum Yoga (2020) by Wuon-Gean Ho. Linocut and monoprint, 15 x 20 cm.

 

What does winning the Batsford Prize Illustration Award mean to you?

I’m thrilled to win the award. Thank you judges! I know it is always a close call when faced with a shortlist, so I do feel very lucky as well. I’m going to use the money to pay for part of my ticket to go on a residency, so hopefully it buys me a bit of thinking time.

 

After you have completed your studies, what do you see yourself doing next?

Oh! The dream is to find a way of making a creative living, allowing me to make the work that is clamouring to be made. I would enjoy a sprinkling of teaching, talking, writing and collaborating as well. I’ve been invited to exhibit all the prints in one place in Hong Kong Open Printshop in 2024. I would also love to publish the prints from this project in a book format: so please let me know if we can continue our conversation at a later date!

 

The Scream (2017) by Wuon-Gean Ho. Linocut and monoprint, 15 x 20 cm.

 

You can find out more about Wuon Gean’s work on her website and follow her on Instagram.

 

The Batsford Prize is an annual award open for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of applied art and textiles, fine art and illustration. View the winners and runners up of this year’s award here. The theme for the Batsford Prize 2023 will be revealed shortly…

Check back for more Batsford Prize Artist Interviews as we’ll be meeting Applied Art & Textiles winner Grace Faichnie, Fine Art winner Nelson, Children’s Illustration winner Justin Worsley and The People’s Choice Award winner Annabelle Booker.

If you’re looking for the perfect summer reads whilst soaking up the sun, then have a scroll through our 12 recommended titles for this summer.

Including some brand new titles for this year, with a few Batsford classics thrown in, this list of beautiful books will transport you to a sunny paradise. Everything from drawing and painting, to poetry and folklore, find a title or two that will inspire your imagination at home or on holiday..

 

Lido – A dip into outdoor swimming pools: the history, design and people behind them

Christopher Beanland, £20.00

Few experiences can beat diving into a pool in the fresh air, swimming with blue skies above you. Whether it’s a dip into a busy and bustling city pool on a sweltering summer day, or taking the plunge in icy waters, the lido provides a place of peace in a frenetic world. This book is a celebration of outdoor swimming – looking at the history, design and architecture of pools, as well as the social aspect. Architectural historian and travel writer Christopher Beanland leaps into pools around the world and finds out why it is that people love to swim outdoors.

 

Forever Flowers – Growing and arranging dried flowers

Ann Lindsay, £14.99

Perfect for arranging the beautiful summer flowers from your garden – learn how to grow and dry flowers, plants and herbs to create dried floral arrangements that will breathe fresh life and style into your home without breaking the bank! Suitable for both experienced professionals and hopeful newcomers to the art of drying flowers, the information in the book is an invaluable resource for all to reference and return to. Anyone can create everlasting arrangements for friends, home or occasions that can be cherished for years to come.

 

Lockdown Secrets – Postcards from the pandemic

Eleanor Tattersfield, £12.99

No poolside holiday is complete without a hint of scandal – Lockdown Secrets is a compelling collection of anonymous postcards sent during lockdown, revealing hilarious, salacious, relatable and sometimes heartbreaking secret confessions.

In the thick of the 2021 coronavirus lockdown, designer and shopowner Eleanor Tattersfield put out a call on Instagram: ‘I’ll send you a postcard, you send me a secret’. Lockdown Secrets is an astonishing record of what happened next. Postcards poured in. This beautiful book brings together the best of what Eleanor received, and all human life is here: furtive infidelities, bad behaviour in the local bakery, sneaking off for baths during a busy homeschooling schedule, rediscovered marital bliss, and, occasionally, poignant moments of sadness and despair.

We’ve all been through the lockdown experience, and every reader will find something to relate to in this fascinating collection, a perfect snapshot of an extraordinary time.

 

Millie Marotta’s Tropical Wonderland, Pocket Edition

Millie Marotta, £4.99

Travelling with small children? Tired of entertaining them on a four-hour flight? Millie Marotta brings her bestselling colouring books to you in travel size! Escape to your very own tropical wonderland with this beautiful colouring book that can be enjoyed by all the family. Lose yourself in a riot of colouring in and drawing as you bring the exotic creatures and plants in Millie Marotta’s Tropical Wonderland to life. Whether it’s to add to the fine lines on trees or add a splash of colour to the feathers of a tropical parrot, explore the rainforest further and you will find extraordinary flowers, birds, butterflies and reptiles, including a rainbow boa with shiny scales crying out for a touch of colour.

 

Bedside Companion for Gardeners

Jane McMorland Hunter, £20,00

If you love to spend your summer cultivating your garden in the sunshine, then Bedside Companion for Gardeners is the title for you. A treasure trove of green-fingered inspiration, full of practical advice that blends seamlessly with poetry and prose from intrepid gardeners past and present. Dip in and out of this collection with an entry for every night of the year that draws on writing through the ages and from across the globe.

 

New Ideas in Botanical Painting

Carolyn Jenkins and Helen Birch, £19.99

Renowned botanical artist and professional gardener, Carolyn Jenkins combines her love of art and gardening to create stunning compositions with vibrant colours that leap from the page. For the artist and botanist, this beautiful book is the perfectly relaxing way to spend your summer. Spanning from chapters on time well-spent in the garden and traditional botanical painting to contemporary ideas with photography, this practical guide contains all the techniques an practice you need to create beautiful botanical art.

Check out Carolyn’s award-winning art on her instagram page here to get inspired..

 

Sunlight and Shadows in Watercolour – painting light from interiors to landscapes

Lucy Willis, £19.99

Published in 2015, this beautiful watercolour book is a fabulous addition to any summer art collection. Focusing on the effects of light – bright sunlight, shadows, dappled light and night-time scenes, bestselling artist Lucy Willis shares her professional tips and painting secrets on painting sunlight and shadows. The themes and subjects covered are Landscape, Water, Gardens, Architecture, Interiors, Still Life, Portraits and the importance of keeping a sketchbook handy; particularly on holiday!

Lucy Willis encourages all watercolourists, whatever their level, to exploit the versatile effects of watercolour and produce exciting, atmospheric work of their own.

 

City Sketching Reimagined

Jeanette Barnes and Paul Brandford, £16.99

Brand new and published earlier this year, this exciting and inspirational title is a charming guide to sketching in towns and cities from world-acclaimed artists Jeanette Barnes and Paul Brandford. If you would love to capture the bustling city that you have travelled to, the traffic from the safety of the pavement, or the elderly couple drinking their morning coffee on the table next to yours at that tiny cafe on the corner, then this book is the perfect title to teach you. With easily digested bite-size entries, it introduces many types of art materials, their uses and a number of insights and exercises to build confidence in a range of approaches to drawing.

Mercurial, inspirational, practical and charming, this guide covers everything from architecture to accidental paintings, cocktails to clouds, smudges to skyscrapers and will inspire you to take your sketchbook with you all summer!

Check out Jeanette’s instagram page here and Paul’s here to get yourself started..

 

Textures from Nature in Textile Art

Marian Jazmik, £22.95

Summer is all about appreciating the beauty of nature, so harness the beauty of the natural world to create unique textile art pieces. Acclaimed textile artist Marian Jazmik shows how to use unusual recycled and repurposed materials combined with traditional fabric and thread. Exploring nature as a constant source of inspiration, she shows how to turn a chance spotting of lichen on a tree trunk or a scattering of autumn leaves into glorious textile or mixed-media art. Packed with practical tips, inspiration and illustrated throughout with glorious examples of Marian’s work, this book will provide you with endless imaginative ideas for distilling the wonders of nature into your own textile art.

 

A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year

Jane McMorland Hunter, £18.99

This beautiful anthology brings you 365 poems celebrating nature and the changing seasons. For a contemplative moment in the sun, this is the perfect poolside companion for any nature or poetry fan, featuring famous odes from big-name poets alongside unsung poems from less-well-known writers. Featuring the works of Wordsworth, Dickinson, Keats, Blake and many many more, whisk yourself away to a veritable garden of eden for a few hours in the afternoon.

 

Goblin Market – An Illustrated Poem

Christina Rossetti, Kirsty Gunn, Georgie McAusland, £12.99

If it’s a story that you want, then Christina Rossetti’s classic poem, Goblin Market reads like a picture storybook. Originally written by Christina Rossetti in 1862, the poem tells the story of Lizzie and Laura, who are tempted by the fruit sold by the goblin merchants. In this fully illustrated and beautiful volume, illustrator Georgie McAusland brings the words and story to life. Recently shortlisted for V&A illustration awards, as well as longlisted for the World Illustration Awards, this is 2022’s hidden gem and a stunning addition to any bookshelf.

 

Faeries, Elves and Goblins – The Old Stories and fairy tales

Rosalind Kerven, £11.99

Continuing the fairytales and folklore theme; Faeries, Elves and Goblins are 25 stories drawing on folklore from the rich narrative heritage of Britain and Ireland.

Marvel over ancient spells to summon faeries to your house, tremble at the shapeshifting powers of dangerous faery queens, lose yourself amongst the illusions of Faeryland and learn how to protect family members from the terrors of faery abduction. Interspersed with facts on faery folklore, these tales cover faery morals, elvish misdemeanours, the spells cast by goblins and the sightings of the creatures, as well as their dealings with mortals.

With charming illustrations from favourite illustrators throughout, whisk yourself away to your very own neverland this summer with this beautiful little book.

 

On the 12^th of May, National Limerick Day, Mick Twister will make you howl with laughter at the achievements and mishaps of history.

Travelling chronologically through the milestones of time, this compilation of 100 lively and humorous limericks takes us back to the ancient civilisations and beyond, to fill your afternoon with an abundance of grins and giggles.

 

There once was an ancient Egyptian

Whose beauty defied all description.

She was driven to take

Her life with a snake

Not having strong drugs on prescription.

 

So was Cleopatra as good-looking as she’s cracked up to be? Mick reckons so – “she certainly had pulling power, but then she was probably the richest woman in the Mediterranean. Plus, all those baths in asses’ milk must have given her a complexion to die for!”

 

Fast forward to the Renaissance… a mighty movement of art, architecture, philosophy and literature that flooded across Europe in the 15^th and 16^th centuries. Amongst these genius thinkers and flourishing artists was Leonardo da Vinci, a painter from Florence.

 

Leonardo, the Renaissance man

Did much more than most people can –

Art, music, botany,

Faults? There were not any

(Ignore that old novel by Dan).

“In between painting the ‘Mona Lisa’ and ‘The Last Supper’, Leonardo played a mean lyre, and studied botany and human anatomy – as well as inventing the helicopter.”

 

Come the revolution era in Western Europe and the voices of women are starting to be heard. Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin wrote the Vindication of the Rights of Women, laying out the principles of gender equality paving the way for women’s suffrage:

 

There was a young woman named Mary

Whose lifestyle was seen as contrary.

An unmarried mum,

Her time has now come

But many men then found her scary.

 

A scandalous woman who wrote the gruesomely shocking Frankenstein novel, her daughter Mary Shelley eventually became even more famous than her equally scandalous mum.

 

Churchill the great wartime leader

An artist, a writer and reader,

Made excellent speeches

Like ‘fight on the beaches’

But drunk, he was quite a rude bleeder.

 

Churchill was best known for his cigars, his speeches – and his drinking. In later life, he drank a bottle of champagne with lunch and another with his evening meal. Perhaps there is merit in his thinking after all…

 

Mick Twister is a London-based journalist and cryptic crossword compiler for the Times. Since inventing the @twitmerick in May 2011 he has been tweeting the news in daily limericks. Twitmericks have been reproduced by the Washington Post and the New Statesman and will make you smile at any time of the day.

His book A History of the World in 100 Limericks is the funniest way to learn about the past, as he cleverly raids the tomes of history and picks at the bones of the world’s greatest political figures, moments and events.

 

Illustrations by Lucy Davey

 

Still searching for the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Is your mum green-fingered? Does she love to draw and paint? Or is she great with a needle and thread? Whatever type of mum you have then keep scrolling, because we have a book to suit all tastes!

Have a browse through our selected titles to inspire your choice on Mother’s Day this year. All of our books are available to buy from good bookshops, via Bookshop.org or simply just click on the book’s title for links to find yourself a copy elsewhere online.

 

The one who loves her garden

Bedside Companion for Gardeners

Jane McMorland Hunter, £20.00

For every mum who loves to grow things, this book is an eclectic collection of fact and fiction, fantasy and experience, incorporating prose, poetry and practical advice for every day of the year.

 

The one who’s working from home

Lockdown Secrets

Eleanor Tattersfield, £12.99

Got a mum who needs a giggle during her long day? This miniature book of anonymous postcards sent during lockdown reveals the hilarious, salacious, relatable and outrageous secret confessions of people surviving the seemingly never-ending period.

 

The one who loves a good movie

Atlas of Imagined Places

Matt Brown, Rhys B. Davies, £25.00

If your mum loves to delve into fantasy then look no further for your perfect Mother’s Day gift. Encompassing a stunning map collection of invented geography drawn from the world’s imagination, this fascinating and beautiful book will show you that the revolution at Animal Farm happened right next to Winnie the Pooh’s home. From the Republic of Gilead to Harry Potter’s Hogwarts, this is the perfect gift for any mum who likes to be whisked away on a magical adventure.

 

The one who loves to paint

New Ideas in Botanical Painting

Carolyn Jenkins, Helen Birch, £19.99

This practical guide contains all the techniques and practice you need to create beautiful botanical art. A gem for any mum who loves to paint as much as she loves to garden, renowned botanical artist and professional gardener, Carolyn Jenkins combines her love of art and gardening to create stunning compositions.

 

The one who loves a story book

Goblin Market

Christina Rossetti, Kirsty Gunn, Georgie McAusland, £12.99

The perfect Mother’s Day gift for any poetry enthusiast, this beautifully illustrated volume of the classic Christina Rossetti poem, Goblin Market, which resonates still today, tells the story of two sisters drifting apart as Laura succumbs to the forbidden fruit sold by the goblins.

 

The one who brings ‘girl power’

Dark Fairytales of Fearless Women

Rosalind Kerven, £12.99

For the strong and courageous mums, this beautiful book contains a rich collection of fairy tales in which magic exists, hope wins and every woman’s heart is alive with courage!

 

The one who soaks up some culture

Building Utopia

Nicholas Kenyon, £40.00

For the cultural mum, this magnum opus of architecture and artistry is a sumptuous celebration of London’s internationally famous Barbican Arts Centre for the 40th anniversary of its opening in 1982. With listings of Barbican events from 1982 to the present day, and snippets of history from the many people associated with the centre, this fascinating book is an invaluable companion to one of the world’s most important cultural spaces.

 

The one who likes some quiet reflection

Nature Writing for Every Day of the Year

Jane McMorland Hunter, £20.00

If your mum loves to relax with a book in her hand, she should keep this wonderful celebration of nature by her bedside and it will become the perfect start to every day. With entries from Virginia Woolf on snails, Kenneth Grahame on the charms of a riverbank and David Attenborough on our responsibility to the natural environment, this is the perfect companion to help her mind escape into the world of nature.

 

The one who loves to colour

Millie Marotta’s Secrets of the Sea

Millie Marotta, £9.99

Treat mum to an afternoon of colouring with this stunning new book from the author of the Sunday Times bestseller, Millie Marotta’s Animal Kingdom. Sail away on a sea of fine illustration and intricate drawings.

 

The one who can make anything

Fragmentation and Repair

Shelley Rhodes, £22.95

For the fashion and textiles creative, this beautifully illustrated tome explores the concepts used in mixed-media and textiles from a leading artist. Including the Japanese concepts of wabi-sabi (finding beauty in imperfection) and mottainai (using every last scrap), as well as using salvaged and recycled materials and repurposing household items to stretch your mum’s creativity.