Hot off the presses from Laurence King Publishing, the beautifully produced book, Bob The Artist, landed at OFFSET HQ this week. We’ve been fans of Marion Deuchars for some time now and her first foray into the world of picture books is a major hit for the award winning illustrator of the Let’s Make Some Great Art series.

We’re drawn into the story of Bob the blackbird from the onset by the bold graphic design, Deuchars’ characteristic hand lettering and some familiar characters including Bob himself as well as Cat.

The heart-warming story tells the tale of Bob who is being teased for his puny legs. We are taken through all his efforts to make his legs bigger. From becoming a gym junkie, to eating more and more and even just trying to cover them up altogether.

Poor old Bob is about to give up until his visit to the art gallery where he becomes inspired. With an explosion of Matisse-like colour across the double page spread we see Bob’s brilliant idea come to a head as he shakes off the bullies and discovers that standing out is much more fun than fitting in.

Embracing the familiar styles of Matisse and Pollock, Bob’s decision to paint his beak in the style of a different artist every day gives him the confidence boost he needs and in the end he is in fact “rather proud” of his legs.

This beautifully produced book is backed up by a charming and well written story of self-acceptance and finding comfort in being different. Bob The Artist might even have the reader so engrossed in the captivating visuals that they don’t realise they’ve just finished a story on anti-bullying with a quick lesson modern art to boot.

Bob The Artist is available to buy from Laurence King here. You might also be interested in Fatti and John Burke’s award-winning Irelandopedia and Helen Musselwhite’s beautiful Little Houses.

Words and photos by Lauren Pritchard