Big Bear Hug is a heartwarming picture book with an environmental message. We think it is a perfect story to share during Earth Week at HHPL.
Nicholas Oldland Biography
Web: www.hatley.com
Nicholas Oldland is the creative director and one of the owners of an apparel company called Hatley. He has been illustrating prints for children's pajamas for the past 10 years.
Nicholas always wanted to write a book that you could take to bed with a pair of Hatley pajamas, but he quickly discovered writing a book was a lot harder than he imagined. Instead, he found easier things to do, like going for lunch, playing with his kids and napping.
This all changed one sleepless night when Nicholas scratched out the story for Big Bear Hug. In the morning when he looked at his sketchpad, he knew he had something. He spent the next few weeks sketching frantically and when it was all done Nicholas dropped it off at Kids Can Press. This was his first book so he did not know what to expect, but they liked it.
Nicholas had such a good time creating Big Bear Hug that he has started working on a second book. This time he is going to explore the personality of one of Bear's best friends, Moose. (Title: Making the Moose Out of Life) Unlike most other illustrators and authors, Nicholas's work can be found on pajamas, and the best place to have a look is on his company's website: www.hatleystore.com
Awards for Big Bear Hug 2011 - Blue Spruce Award, Forest of Reading, Ontario Library Association, Short-listed 2010 - Best Books for Kids & Teens, Starred Selection, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Winner
Kids Can Press Source: https://www.kidscanpress.com/creators/nicholas-oldland/705