My First Children's Book Illustration - The Imp and the Strawberry by Yasmin Shubber

It is with great pleasure I present to you my first childrens' book illustration, 'The Imp and the Stawberry' by Yasmin Shubber,  a delightful tale of the lovable and gifted elf , Syrnel, and his adventures as he sets off one day to eat delicious wild strawberries. To buy the book online or simply to preview  visit here.

When I received my first hard bound copy via post from Yasmin, I was thrilled to  hold in my hands the physical manifestation of our creative efforts.  I especially loved the cover, and I'm mighty pleased with the design, and layout, a big thank you to Yasmin for all her efforts. Yasmin has also penned several books for adults including a book of poems on Ladakh. You can learn more about her at her website.

I've always enjoyed reading and collecting children's books, some of my best finds have been, 'The Other Bone' by Ed Young, a word-less story illustrated with fine drawings where the reader can tell the story in their own words,  then there is the all time classic, 'Just so stories' by Rudyard Kipling,  (I have the one illustrated by Safaya Salter), and then I have a weathered copy of 'My Father's Dragon' by Ruth Stiles Gannett, bought years ago at a second hand bookshop, and more recently I bought 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar ' by Eric Carle to gift  a friend's child.

I'm sure there are many many more authors and artist-illustrators whom you adore, I've only named a few. Do share with me if you wish some of your favourite books, I'd love to read all about them. (^_^)

If you wish to get in touch with me about doing illustrations for a story email me at turquoiseland@gmail.com. 

Have  a great week ahead.

Love + Light

Monsoon reflections

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About a year ago I had bought this plant and the pleasant thing about it is that it starts to flower in the monsoon. Almost a week ago I spotted a clump of buds, with the flowers curled inside waiting to enter into the world. I knew it then, we were closer to the rains, and rain it did yesterday to the sound of children laughing and playing outside.

The beginning of monsoon also marks the beginning of new cycle for me, finally I have completed the first year of my Post Graduation Course in Buddhist Studies and to avoid sounding immodest I will simply say that I did pretty well. For me the real satisfaction lies in knowing that I did my best and I now look forward to working on my thesis for the coming year. 

In the meanwhile I've also been doing a lot of inner-work, reading, contemplating, its amazing how I'm intuitively lead to a site or a video on youtube or a book which had knowledge  that I was now ready to receive. For instance I only recently watched the film on Louise Hay's book, 'You can Heal your Life' although I'd first read the book in 2007. (Btw, I love to gift this book to friends and family and I always have a copy on my shelf ). 

I'm enjoying this journey challenges notwithstanding, I always ask myself , 'what was the lesson for me here?' The choice always lies with us, we can allow ourselves to become bitter or we can become better and for that we must all do our homework in this school of life :-))

I wish everyone a wonderful monsoon, may we be blessed by rainbows and may our lakes fill to the brim. May we feel renewed.

love + light + gratitude