Author/illustrator Petr Horácek revisits a favourite John Burningham illustration
In this snowy scene Trubloff is travelling home with his sister to be with their sick mother. He clutches his balalaika as they venture into the vast, cold landscape. Their small figures on the right of the scene are determined and courageous on their journey into the snowy landscape.
Burningham paints the snow in this picture in different shades of white and grey, giving the picture a sense of depth and the impression of cold. The warmth of the low red sun contrasts with the freezing landscape.
“What I really love about John Burningham’s artwork is the sense of freedom and experimentation, so that the characters like the mouse Trubloff in this book are often drawn differently but even though they may appear completely different, they are always right for the illustration. This picture conveys a sense of quiet hope and determination, a portrayal of adventure and longing in a children’s book.”
Petr Horácek grew up on the outskirts of Prague where he studied painting at the Academy of Fine Art. He met his English wife Claire there and in 1995 they moved to England.
His first picture books Strawberries are Red and What is Black and White? were published in 2001 and he received the Books For Children Newcomer Award in the same year. Since then Petr has written and illustrated numerous books for children including bestsellers Puffin Peter and Blue Penguin. Petr has been called, “The thinking tots Eric Carle”. He has won numerous awards for his books all over the world and travels doing events in schools and festivals.
Trubloff- The Mouse who wanted to play the Balalaika was first published by Jonathan Cape in 1964, shortly before Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
The book is out of print now but still find one if you look around
You can read more about Trubloff here:
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