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  • Published: 27 June 2013
  • ISBN: 9780399160721
  • Imprint: Philomel
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 40
  • RRP: $32.99

Henry's Map



A fun-filled introduction to maps through the eyes of an adorable pig

Henry is a very particular sort of pig. "A place for everything and everything in its place," he always says. But when he looks out his window he is troubled. The farm is a mess!  Henry is worried that nobody will be able to find anything in this mess. So he draws a map showing all the animals exactly where they belong.  And Henry embarks on a journey through the farm, his friends tagging along as he creates his map: sheep in the woolshed, chickens in the coop, the horse in the stable. After the map is complete, Henry uses it to bring himself back home, where he is relieved to know that he is exactly where he belongs. A place for everything and everything in its place, indeed.

For fans of Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth or of Winnie the Pooh, this sweet romp through the farm is adorably illustrated by David Elliot, who created the endearing animals who inhabit Brian Jacques world of Redwall.  Perfect for pre-schoolers and elemetary-schoolers learning to read maps for the first time.
Praise for Henry's Map:

*** “With appealing characters and gentle humor, this book will be a hit at storytime, or as an introduction to mapping lessons.” —School Library Journal *** (starred)
 
*** “Here’s hoping for many more Henry-centric adventures.” —Kirkus Reviews ***  (starred)
 
“Elliot’s barnyard animals brim with personality and emotion, matching the understated humor of this charming story.” —Publisher’s Weekly
 
“This story may even inspire budding cartographers to map their own world.” —Booklist

  • Published: 27 June 2013
  • ISBN: 9780399160721
  • Imprint: Philomel
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 40
  • RRP: $32.99

About the author

David Elliot

David Elliot is an award-winning children’s illustrator and author. He has written and illustrated seven picture books, including the ‘Sydney penguin’ books and Pigtails the Pirate (winner of the 2003 NZ Post Children’s Picture Book Award).

He has illustrated for many other New Zealand children’s authors, including Jack Lasenby, Joy Cowley and Janet Frame. In 2009, he illustrated The Word Witch, by internationally acclaimed writer, Margaret Mahy; this won the Honour Award in the 2010 NZ Post Picture Book category. In 2010, he and Margaret again worked together, on The Moon and Farmer McPhee, which won the NZ Post Children’s Book of the Year Award for 2011, the same year David also received the inaugural Arts Foundation Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award.

In 2014 David was awarded the Margaret Mahy Award for lifetime contribution to Children’s literature in New Zealand.

Internationally, David has provided illustrations for Brian Jacques’ Redwall and Castaways series and also for U.S. authors, T.A. Barron and Jeffrey Kluger. More recently, he completed illustrations for John Flanagan’s bestselling Ranger’s Apprentice series. David’s picture book Henry’s Map published by Philomel Books (USA) was recently chosen by School Library Journal (USA) for its Best Books 2013 list.

David’s book Snark, Being a true history of the expedition that discovered the Snark and the Jabberwock…..and its tragic aftermath won both the Russell Clark Award for Illustration and the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year Award at the 2017 New Zealand Awards for Children and Young Adults. It was also awarded a White Raven by the International Youth Library in Munich and is New Zealand’s nomination for illustration in the 2018 IBBY Honour List.

Since 2008, the Ashburton Art Gallery has been curating and regularly exhibiting David’s work. His illustrations can also be viewed online: www.davidelliot.org

David lives in Port Chalmers, near Dunedin, with his wife Gillian, and Molly the dog. He has two adult daughters, Mhairi and Jess.

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Praise for Henry's Map

* STARRED REVIEW* "With appealing characters and gentle humor, this book will be a hit at storytime, or as an introduction to mapping lessons. Elliot’s squiggly watercolor and pencil illustrations make clever use of white space, with the pictures expanding as the confusion of the story does and receding as Henry’s world becomes orderly once again."--School Library Journal (starred review) *STARRED REVIEW* "Henry, an adorable pig, maps his farm world and puts everything in its place. Henry likes things organized. When he realizes that the farm outside his sty is a mess, he worries that no one will be able to find anything. His solution is to draw a map. Going from the sheep's woolshed to the cow pasture to the stable and the chicken coop, Henry shows his growing creation to the animals along the way. The animals are excited to see sketches of themselves and soon join the cartography expedition, ending on the hill above the farm. The parade, with chickens and sheep taking a ride on horses and Henry's little trotters leading the way, sets the tone for comedy. When the livestock reach the top of the hill to compare the map to the actual farm, they are horrified to see that, while the map (and the hill) is filled with animals, the farm is empty! Racing back, the group checks each place and finds that now-miraculously-the animals are back in their places. Phew! Henry's face, often filled with a worried scowl, allows readers to feel his need for order. Detailed pencil-and-watercolor illustrations add to the comedic timing, especially when Henry finds his face in the mirror, in the sty, right where he belongs. Here's hoping for many more Henry-centric adventures."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Praise for Henry’s Map:   *** “With appealing characters and gentle humor, this book will be a hit at storytime, or as an introduction to mapping lessons.” —School Library Journal *** (starred)   *** “Here’s hoping for many more Henry-centric adventures.” —Kirkus Reviews ***  (starred)   “Elliot’s barnyard animals brim with personality and emotion, matching the understated humor of this charming story.” —Publisher’s Weekly   “This story may even inspire budding cartographers to map their own world.” —Booklist