Claude in Bologna

Ooh look at this! Claude's gone to Italy!

This week it's all go in Bologna as children's book publishers from all over the world gather for the Bologna Children's Book Fair. Here's a picture that Claude's very good friend Alison Eldred took of Claude relaxing and smiling everso politely with Hodder Children's Books publishing director, the lovely Anne McNeil.

Claude likes Anne very much. Not only does she keep chickens ( thumbs up from Claude) but she also helped Claude out from Mr. and Mrs. Shineyshoes' kitchen and into the bookshops.

Thank you Anne!

Another happy reader!

Claude and Sir Bobblysock were THRILLED to receive this picture of the lovely Nevaeh (ballet dancer extraordinaire and all round good egg) giving CLAUDE IN THE CITY the thumbs up!

Thumbs up right back at you, kiddo!

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Big thank you to Nevaeh's mummy Sophie and daddy Scott for sending the picture to Claude HQ

Claude discovers DISCOVER

What a busy weekend Claude and Sir Bobblysock this week!

Early on Saturday morning, while Mr. and Mrs. Shineyshoes were out doing their shopping, Claude and Sir Bobblysock decided to go DISCOVER Children's Story Centre to watch Alex T Smith do the very first event for the book CLAUDE IN THE CITY.

Claude packed his suitcase with things to entertain Sir Bobblysock on the train (this included a magazine - 'Snazzy Sock Monthly', a juicy bone baguette and a dog spotter's handbook incase there were any exciting dogs to spot)....

There were TWO workshops and Claude and Sir Bobblysock went to both as they didn't have anything else to do and Sir Bobblysock wanted to keep an eye on everything.

Here (above) is a picture a very nice person called Michelle ( who works here) took of Claude listening intently to what Alex T Smith was talking about and trying not to blush with embarrassment over the picture on the board of himself and Sir Bobblysock dancing in their underpants with an alien...

After the events, Alex T Smith signed some books and talked to the very nice children about Claude and looked at their drawing which were SPLENDID.

This little girl is called Juliette and her pictures were marvelous. Sir Bobblysock thought that they were better than Alex T Smith's....

All in all it was a very nice day and everyone enjoyed themselves very much.

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Claude, Sir Bobblysock and Alex T Smith would like to say a great big thank you to everyone who came to the events and all the lovely people at Discover as well as Michelle at Arena and Alison Eldred who helped out and made sure everything went smoothly.

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Catching up on reviews and Alex T Smith

Another picture by Sir Bobblysock

It was mentioned in an earlier post that Claude and Sir Bobblysock have been busy. Their first book hit the shops, they've been busy supervising the production of their second (Claude on Holiday) not to mention making sure their friend Alex T Smith gets a shift on with all the pictures for their THIRD adventure ( Claude at the Circus) so that it's ready to be published next January.

As you can imagine it's been tough on them both and a LOT of time has been spent having long lie downs in darkened rooms with cucumber slices over their eyes and soothing music being piped into their ears....

Well, they managed to rouse themselves enough to meet up with Alex T Smith and have a nice glass of lemonade and look over all the lovely things people have been saying about CLAUDE in the CITY:

(Click the links to read the full reviews)

Richard and Judy

Celebs, book enthusiasts and Nice People:

"It's highly illustrated and also very funny (parents will enjoy it)"

Bookbag:

"Fantastic illustrations that fit perfectly with this funny story. A wonderful book that I think grown ups will love as much as children! *****"

Booktrust:

"A witty story and stylish illustrations."

Literary Chick

"I loved everything about this book."

Library Mice:

"Lovers of the quirky, behold, this one is for you! This new series by newcomer author/illustrator Alex T. Smith is absolutely brilliant"

Anne Booth:

‎'Claude in the City' by Alex T. Smith is one of those books which makes people of all ages laugh. the illustrations are FAB the story BRILL..." *****

Reviewer on Amazon.co.uk

"We can't wait for the next Claude book to come out in the summer and have pre-ordered it. In the meantime I suspect that Claude in the City will be read over and over again. Well done and thank you Alex T Smith!" *****

And finally...

The brilliant NEW BOOK SNIFFER Site has an interview with Alex T. Smith's three dogs AND a sneaky look at Claude's second adventure 'CLAUDE on HOLIDAY"

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Remember if you are a fan of Claude and Sir Bobblysock you can join their facebook fan page where you can send in a see fan art, get exclusive updates and news and chat to other nice people who enjoy berets, socks and adventures.

And there's more news:

Claude and Sir Boblysock were just mooching around London the other day when they happened to wander into the ENORMOUS Waterstone's on Piccadilly. They pootled up to the children's book floor and look what they found!

Their book at number two in the chart there! How exciting!

They couldn't resist taking a photo. Whilst they were there they had a flick through the book at number 10 - Fantastic Frankie and the Brain Drain Machine- which has been illustrated by their friend Alex T Smith.

Claude and Sir Bobblysock like the story very much, but were disappointed to find they weren't in any of the illustrations...

Busy Times for Claude and Sir Bobblysock

Well, well, well... Claude and Sir Bobblysock HAVE been busy!

Just over a month ago their VERY FIRST book - CLAUDE in the CITY was published by the lovely people at Hodder Children's books. As if that wasn't exciting enough, the book was chosen by some very clever and famous people called Richard and Judy to be in their very first children's book club! Hooray!

Above are some very dodgy photos taken by Sir Bobblysock ( who isn't much of a photographer) of the book being featured on the instore branding at WH Smith. Looks very nice doesn't it?!

If you haven't read 'Claude in the City' yet, and think you might quite like to, why not pop along to your nearest WH Smith and take advantage of their special Richard and Just promotion - Buy one book and get another for £1! Sir Bobblysock has done this and has a nice pile of books to read when he's having one of his long lie downs!

Claude meets Junior Magazine...

click to enlarge

Well, this IS EXCITING!

Junior magazine have a lovely article all about Claude (and Sir Bobblysock) in there latest issue which is out now in the shops and on sale until Feb 4th!

Thank you Junior Magazine!

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You can read the article above by clicking on the image and zooming in and you can read the full interview here.