The Boy: His Stories and How They Came to Be

The Boy #1-4

by Oliver Jeffers

A spectacular collection of four much-loved modern classics from the multi award-winning, internationally best-selling picture book creator, Oliver Jeffers, along with a captivating behind-the-scenes look at the making of each in four fascinating sketchbook sections.

Contains the following stories:

How to Catch a Star
Lost and Found
The Way Back Home
Up and Down

Also within the pages of this exquisite collection is a special letter from Oliver Jeffers and more than 100 wonderfully distinctive sketches, notes and ideas, carefully chosen from his archives and revealed here for the first time. Watch as the boy and his friends spring to life on the sketchbook pages. See the real-life starfish that appears in How to Catch a Star, learn the true story of the boy and the penguin who inspired Lost and Found and find out what the Martian’s dad looks like! With all these things, and more, this incredible volume gives a unique insight into the life story of the iconic books – loved by readers the world over – and celebrates the incredible work of one of today’s most popular and highly regarded picture book creators.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Art

168 pages, Hardcover

First published October 18, 2018

About the author

Oliver Jeffers' work takes many forms. His distinctive paintings have been exhibited in galleries worldwide, and HarperCollins UK and Penguin USA publish his award-winning picture books, now translated into over 30 languages.

In 2007, Jeffers was the official illustrator for World Book Day, and in 2008 Lost and Found became Oliver's first book to made into animation by London-based Studio AKA.

Jeffers won a NY Emmy in 2010 for his collaborative work with the artist and director Mac Premo, and in 2013 Jeffers co-directed the video for U2's Ordinary Love with Premo. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Jeffers now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

Reviews

[Rae (Rachel) Lipkin-Bajor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything Jeffers produces. Pure gold.

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was marvelous! Pricy sure, but so worth it. This book contain the four Boy books by Jeffers, but also sketch and «concept» ideas for each book, so we get a bit of his process to create a story. Those stories are funny, emotional and always have a well balance life lesson, not force in, but still present an clear enough. Definitely one of my favorite author and illustrator of children book!

[Ross Jeffery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book ideal for little minds wondering how to write a book and illustrators wanting to learn the trade! Fabulous never before seen sketches and ideas from one of the best Children’s fiction writers in the game! A must have - also includes four stories with concept artwork and ideas.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oliver Jeffers has compiled all 4 "Boy" stories into 1 collection - but wait, there's more! Each story comes with a look inside the creators notes - so the reader can see his process, sketches and ideas about each one. "How to Catch a Star" is just that - Boy plans and tries to grab a star from the sky so it can be his friend; In "Lost and Found" Boy finds a sad penguin and decides to take it home to the Antarctic; In "The Way Back Home" the Boy discovers a small airplane and takes it for a fly, but when he runs out of fuel while in flight, he is forced to land on the moon where he meets an alien who is experiencing similar spacecraft troubles; and finally, in "Up and Down" Penguin wishes he could fly.

An interesting idea including pages of the author's draft, and although it's cool to get inside his head, this edition seems to be more of a coffee table book - to be read by adults - than it would be appropriate for children. The special pages are out of a different kind of paper, not great for little hands to manage. So, all in all, this would make a great gift for the adult who loved the books when they were young.

For this and more of my revieww, visit http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for Oliver Jeffers notes on how the stories came to be. I was not disappointed; hmm, ok, maybe just a tad. I wanted more.

I realized each of these four stories are about someone wanting something and going about getting it.
The notes and sketches for each story shine a light into the working creator’s mindset. The way he moves from initial thought/idea to working out the theme, pace, and heart of each story is very helpful to budding writer/illustrators. I especially loved his passage of time worksheets for, How To Catch A Star. The huge bonus is that this book has each of the four stories in glorious full color! I don’t remember the colors in the Picture Books being so vibrant.

Highly recommend!

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of 4 stories written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. Fans will love reading the stories of boy one after another. Kids and adults will love the individual stories behind the stories. Jeffers tells readers how each story came to be and shows sketches he drew when planning and plotting.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A handsomely designed picture book anthology collecting Jeffers's four "Boy" stories with additional pages offering an insightful look into Jeffers's inspiration for each story and the creative process behind them.

[Ammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Oliver Jeffers "Boy" stories.

[Frances Gonzalez-Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB6pLXOBXoO/

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really cool to have all the stories in one place along with the motivation behind each story. I didn't look too closely at the sketches but they were still a neat inclusion.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a keepsake of the stories, and the stories behind the stories!

[Dactylaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

trop intéressant de voir les brouillons/notes de l’auteur, on comprend bien l’origine de chaque histoire et j’ai adoré les relire avec cette nouvelle perspective!!

[Amanda Boehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved the compilation of The Boy stories and to be able to see the sketches, idea development, and color studies of each book was a real treat.

[Ariel Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The behind-the-scenes look at his sketchbook is so fun; but I think this set of stories is just ok.