The Grotlyn

Product Information

All in all, a wonderful book by Benji Davies. And I would highly recommend this book to everyone young and old! Age 5-7 Since hearing an organ tune Rubi has a strange rhyme in her head about a Grotlyn visiting houses at night. Soon she and others in the town report hearing strange noises, sightings, objects disappearing. Rumours about a Grotlyn are spreading. But in the words of the story ‘..don’t be afraid to sleep – to dream! For things are not quite what they seem.’ A mysterious rhyming picture book to cuddle up and share, with just the right amount of spookiness, wonderfully rich illustrations and a surprise ending. Take turns role playing interviews between a reporter and people in the town about what they saw or heard. Write a news report Like anything, you only get better through practice. I believe there is no such thing as pure talent. You might have an affinity, a seed, an interest in the visual, but you need to build on that. If you couldn’t play the piano, first go, without lessons, would you need more practice to become a concert pianist? My advice would be to draw, draw and draw some more.

Intensely atmospheric, full of biting cold, tender detail and warm light, this is a book to cuddle up with - The Guardian My first book as both writer and illustrator was The Storm Whale. I had originally created the story as an animated film while studying animation at university. So I had to set about the process of transforming the film into a picture book.

Was it always your intention to write children's books?

No, never. Some people swear by that method but for me knowing what the children reading my books will respond to, I see that as my job to work out. I was a child once (you may or may not believe!) and so I'm hoping that when I make a new book I am reflecting my own experience of childhood and how I remember feeling and reacting to the world around me. The stories you write and illustrate are also available as animated trailers. Do you have any plans to further build on this, creating full-blown short films?

Benji Davies (The Storm Whale and Grandad's Island) is fast establishing himself as a leading light in children's picture books - Huffington Post I think that I go into a kind of storytelling mode. I don’t have a big booming delivery, and I don’t see it as a performance. Hopefully the children get drawn into the imagery and I guide them through the story with the words. Is there a dream narrator you'd love to work with? It's a name that I made up. It just popped into my head one day when I was thinking about this creature who slipped out of the shadows in a grimy Victorian setting. 'The Grotlyn' just seemed to fit. I suppose deconstructed it is a kind of portmanteau of grotty or grotesque and gremlin or goblin. It borrows the sounds from these words and mixes up their meanings to create something new. The book follows your success with The Storm Whale and Grandad's Island. You write such lovely stories. Where do you get your ideas from? A stunningly illustrated picture book full of mystery and suspense, from the bestselling author of THE STORM WHALE and GRANDAD’S ISLAND.”

When Benji Davies has a new picture book on the scene, you know you’re in for a real treat. His naturally empathetic illustrative style, coupled with an original storyline and instantly loveable characters make for a compelling read and ‘The Grotlyn‘ delivers on all fronts.”