Danny's Dream by Ian Parker and Victor Margiotta
A heart-warming story of "dreams coming true, although sometimes in the most unexpected ways", the story written by Victor Margiotta, and beautifully illustrated by Ian Parker, who paints with his mouth as he is unable to use his hands. The advised age range is 3-8 but I'd probably start a little older having read it, and recommend it for age 5 and up, key stage 1 - it would be a lovely text to form a discussion about inclusivity and playground friendships, but we don't always need a topic or a theme to share stories, and this is a lovely story for anytime.
But we are really here to talk about the stunning illustrations, created by mouth painter Ian Parker, who answers some questions I put to him -
* When did you start mouth painting and drawing?
I've been drawing with my mouth ever since I can remember, any opportunity with pencil or pen on lined or plain paper for hours. Painting took longer to achieve, I found it difficult to control the paint, but because I wanted to take art to exam level at school, I had to start taking it more seriously and get the hang of it.
* What sorts of pictures did you like to create when you were first mouth painting?
They were things I was interested in at the time, so aircraft, dinosaurs and battle scenes. When I was about 13 I also started to take part in our school's annual Christmas card design competition, with pictures of churches, robins or landscapes, so not so far from my usual subjects for the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists now!
* What was the best thing about studying for a degree in fine art?
Meeting my future wife! But also it was great being in communal studio space and being able to develop my art practice along with other artists. It was the first time that I'd really been able to spend time on my own work. seeing how it would develop over three years.
* How do you feel about seeing your illustrations in print in a children's book?
As someone who loves books, it's great to see the work come together in the form that it was designed for. I've had paintings bought, and designs on Christmas cards, which is brilliant - but this is very much on another level. Unlike a picture hanging on the wall or holding a single card in your hands, you're interacting with the book and getting involved in it as you follow the words and images of the story. It's very exciting!
Back to the story, Danny's accident leaves him needing to use a wheelchair to get around. But when he finds a special wheelchair in his grandmother's garden, his dreams begin to become reality.
He races round the playground with his friends and becomes so good at racing that he is picked for the Olympic team.
In the News - a recent article in the Guardian about the lack of disabled characters in children's picture books - link here - well Danny's Dream goes a little way towards this, one more quality title including a disabled character.
For more information or to buy the book visit the MFPA website here.
Danny's Dream - great story, fab illustrations, and I'm totally awe-inspired that it is possible to paint such detailed picture book illustrations while holding a brush in your mouth - astounding!