An iconic and moving new picture book from the bestselling, award-winning artist and storyteller, John Burningham
John Burningham was born in 1936. He studied illustration at the Central School of Art. His first children's book, Borka, was published in 1963, and it was awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal as the best illustrated book of the year. John Burningham collaborated with Ian Fleming on Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang, designing the model of the famous car. He lived in London with his wife Helen Oxenbury, also a well-known author and illustrator. John Burningham died on January 4th, 2019.
John Burningham, who has brought us so many memorable picture-book
characters since Borka the goose with no feathers arrived in 1963,
now introduces Miles, who is "a very difficult dog".
Characteristically for Burningham - and this is an important lesson
for children - misbehaviour does not mean forfeiting affection.
Instead, Alice Trudge and her son Norman, who own Miles, find what
he really likes to do, which is to go out in the car. Taking him
daily is time-consuming, so a neighbour builds him his own car and
Miles learns to drive. He takes Norman to school, and the two have
joyous secret outings. With his wavering, fragmented line and
beautiful washes of colour, Burningham expresses character and
comedy, and depicts landscapes through the seasons that are magical
and seductive.
Everything about this picture book suggests freedom, in the style
and the story. The tale is simple but encompasses kindness to
animals, neighbourliness, the advantages of being practical and
handy, the rewards of diligently learning a skill, a love of the
outdoors, the pleasure of companionship, following your own
inclinations and knowing left from right. There is a fun punchline
too. The book might look sketchy, but it is just right.
*Sunday Times*
October 2016 Book of the Month
There’s a perfect simplicity to this book, the work of a picture
book genius. Miles is a difficult dog, won’t come when called,
doesn’t like walks or other dogs, barks too much. The only thing he
does like, in fact, is going out in the car. Fortunately, the
family’s neighbour realises that what Miles needs is a car of his
own, and offers to make him one. John Burningham’s illustrations,
simultaneously comic and serious, match his deadpan text
beautifully; Miles and his young owner Norman are wonderfully
realised characters; the colours glow: quite simply wonderful.
*http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/13204/Motor-Miles-by-John-Burningham.html*
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