Kim Michelle Toft is a multi-talented artist, author, illustrator and publisher based in northern NSW. (+ chance to win!) Illustrated with her vivid and intricate silk paintings, Kim's children's books highlight the beauty of coastal and underwater environments, while engaging young readers in thought-provoking environmental themes.
We love getting to know the talented people behind the products we stock. The release of Kim Toft's new book Recipe For Perfect Planet Pie (co-inciding nicely with World Oceans Day) was the ideal chance to ask her five questions…
1. What inspires your work? I have always loved to draw - especially the characters of Walt Disney - and I would draw for hours as a child. As I grew older my interests changed. I was drawn to the beach and have lived my entire adult life on a beach somewhere in Australia. Its beauty, alien like creatures and the ever changing colours are the basis to all my environmental children's books.
2. What is your favourite feedback on your work? The best feedback I can get is when children spend hours finding and learning about the animals in my very detailed silk illustrations. Also, when I go to a school library and find that my books are worn and tattered, I know the books are well borrowed and well read.
3. What is your favourite local nature spot? My favourite spot in nature is swimming or snorkeling in crystal clear water on a white sandy beach. The ocean holds a special place in my heart and I am happiest when I feel I am a part of it. A close second is swimming under a waterfall either in a rainforest or desert oasis.
4. How did you come to be writing and illustrating children's books? After being a teacher for five years, then a graphic designer for four years, I moved to Northern NSW where I was determined to become a full time artist and author. That was 25 years ago. After my daughter, Casey Elle was born my love of children's books was reignited and my first book One Less Fish became a reality. I have written and illustrated nine books, each book taking approximately two years to research, write, illustrate and then publish. All my illustrations are hand drawn and painted onto silk and can take up to three weeks to complete. Some of my silk originals can measure up to 2 m x 1m.
5. Can you tell us a little about your latest book Recipe for a Perfect Planet Pie? I believe children are our future and their knowledge and positive environmental attitudes will help save our planet.
Recipe For Perfect Planet Pie is a fun way to look at a very serious topic – climate change and its effects. This book introduces children to various ways of ‘greening' the planet and harnessing alternate energy supplies, by using cooking terms to create a recipe for a happy healthy planet. I like my books to build to an interesting ending and
Recipe For Perfect Planet Pie finishes with a fold out circle which is an aerial view of Nature's pie. The children's challenge is to then find all the animals they have met throughout the book. See our range of
Kim Toft books.
Exhibition: Until 24 June 2012 you can visit an exhibition of Kim's original silk paintings featured in the book at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery, Ballina NSW.
:: WIN ::
Kim has given us a copy of her new book Recipe For Perfect Planet Pie (valued at $24.95).
To be eligible for the draw you need to:
(1) Follow our blog (if not already) by clicking on the Follow tab hovering in the bottom right of your screen, then;
(2) Leave a comment below this post telling us one essential ingredient in your Perfect Planet Pie!
We'll draw one comment from a follower to win! Competition ends midnight Tuesday, 12 June 2012. Australian residents only.
WINNER ANNOUNCED : Erin - see comment at end!
Images courtesy of Kim Toft and can not be copied without permission.
