Meet the Gorgeous Giselle

Tasmanian illustrator and artist, Ben Clifford, shares the delights of his latest ventures - from illustrating the lavish and adorable Giselle to his foray into working with children to share his talents and love of a good story.

Richard Turner's Giselle Giraffe, published by Starfish Bay Publishing, tells the story of the long-necked, long-legged and somewhat gangly Giselle. At first full of insecurities about her body image she not only becomes accepting of her size but also learns to recognise its valuable and unique benefits. 

This imaginative story was a delight to illustrate for my fifth picture book. I was given the manuscript with no guidance, allowing freedom to dance with ideas. The illustrations took me over 2 years to complete with my upmost thanks to all staff at Starfish Bay Publishing and author Richard Turner for giving me the time needed. As I progressed with the art work, I came up with treasure hunts and activities to include so there are things to find within the illustrations and a guiding list to help readers investigate the images more closely. I love layers within a story! In creating the setting I gave it a timeless look choosing technology and architecture from no later than early 20th century.

The story finds Giselle entering a chic boutique clothing shop, hoping to cover up her insecurities of body image. 

Failing, she returns to the wilds where she finds her answers elsewhere; shining proudly for what she is by using her unique body parts to help others. 

It has been great fun to start sharing my work with young people. To kick off my school appearances I worked with young families at Sorell Library recently. Giselle Giraffe became the finale of the presentation. Displayed on  a big screen, our overbooked group read through the story with one of many treasure hunts included on each page. It was a delight witnessing families bond over the work, and objecting to turning the page until the treasure hunt item was found! 

We also read through The Wildlife Winter Games - a book that demands that the reader chooses from various creatures to decide who would win when competing in the different Winter Games events. The day included large displays of the illustrations and takeaways I had created. Many thanks to Libraries Tasmania staff for one of the best experiences of my life, and the food! You can view photos of the day.

 

Ben Clifford

Ben was born, raised and works in Tasmania. He began illustrating after living in a nice place with  cuckoos and sparrows in England. Ben was first published in 2017 for Elliott's Rainbow Heart with more titles to follow. When he’s not drawing or writing stories, he likes to help others if they’re sad or happy, scaly, fluffy, furry or feathery.

 

W: www.benclifford.com.au

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ben.clifford.art/ 

I: https://www.instagram.com/bencliffordart/ 

 

Further Suggestions for Book an Adventure

Following on from Felicity’s great blog last week, where she wrote about some of the books she has recently read which fit the 2025 CBCA theme, Maureen Mann follows up with some of her own preferences.

The following titles all contain adventures of some sort. My choices are not limited to the short list or even the notables, but they come from my recent reads. They all fit the theme of Book an Adventure

Turtle Moon by Hannah Gold

Silver Trevelon’s father is offered a job as an artist at a turtle rescue centre in Costa Rica. Silver is really excited, but Mum unwillingly accompanies them, even though her qualifications as a vet will be useful. The reader learns that Silver’s parents are stressed by fertility issues; Silver believes she, as a person, is not enough to satisfy them. But the jungle and the volunteers at the rescue centre weave their magic. Silver and her new friend Rafi (and his sloth) have great adventures including watching a leatherback turtle lay her eggs and chasing turtle pirates. This is a great adventure, but the book offers much more.

Birdy by Sharon Kernot

This verse-novel, shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Older Readers, was better than I expected. It’s a subtle mental adventure, rather than a physical one.  Maddy is a situational mute, traumatised by a bad decision which was publicised on social media. She and her family of Mum and younger brother Charlie move to a small country town where Levi helps her learn to trust people again, and in turn Maddy’s friendship with Alice brings the latter out of reclusiveness and depression. Friendship and nature create a wonderful healing environment. 

Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin 

This is a picture book but not necessarily for the youngest readers. Millie Fleur creates a new garden when she and her mother move to Garden Glen which has strict rules for what is grown and how each garden looks, even though their house doesn’t have the same fit. The adventure in this book comes from Christy Mandin’s weirdly created flora and the slow change in the community, a move away from conformity to acceptance of the unexpected and different, that Millie Fleur eventually brings to Garden Glen. 

Cobweb by Michael Morpurgo 

This book is a historical adventure from the perspective of Cobweb, a Welsh Corgi, during the Napoleonic war. Cobweb is taken from his beloved Bethan on the farm, to become a drover’s dog, taught by Goodlad the older droving dog, guiding cattle and sheep to market in London. Once the animals are sold, Cobweb and Goodlad are sent to find their own way home, and end up accompanied by a French drummer boy escaping from the dramas of war. 

To Stir with Love by Kate Mildenhall and Jess Racklyeft

What a simple Monday adventure in the kitchen with Grandma and the narrator. There are many touches of naivety from the young narrator who is not named, but the strength of their loving relationship is never in doubt. The process of making Grandma’s everything cake (complete with recipe at the end) is detailed. I loved the comparisons. Grandma is older than computers! The repeated refrain is My little hand and Grandma’s old hand, wrinkled and sure. Racklyeft’s watercolour illustrations bring the simple but lyrical text alive. It is listed in the CBCA Notable Children’s Books 2025 but didn’t make the shortlist. 

Do you have other titles you’d recommend for Book an Adventure?

Maureen Mann

Retired teacher librarian and avid reader