© Tohby Riddle, published in Pink Freud

News

New picture book! Look out for a new 32-page picture book titled Nobody Owns the Moon by Tohby Riddle. It's due for release in Australia in September 2008 (Penguin).

The Word Spy, which invites young readers to discover the secrets of the English language was released in Australia in March 2008. It is written by Ursula Dubosarsky and illustrated by Tohby Riddle.

Academia For those interested in the theoretical side of picture book discussions, Routledge, New York (and UK) have published Postmodern Picturebooks, edited by Lawrence R. Sipe and Sylvia Pantaleo. Chapter 6, "'They Are Always Surprised at What People Throw Away': Glocal Postmodernism in Australian Picture Books" features a presentation by John Stephens which focusses on Tohby Riddle's The Great Escape from City Zoo and The Tip at the End of the Street and Shaun Tan's The Lost Thing (which features a visual reference to The Great Esape from City Zoo: a newspaper with a headline about the City Zoo's flamingo being recaptured!) Another discussion by Kerry Mallan: "Trash Aesthetics and Utopian Memory" about The Tip at the End of the Street and The Lost Thing was published by Bookbird, 2005.

 

Cartoon Prints

For full information about cartoon prints go to Cartoons page

In response to many enquiries, art-quality prints of all Tohby Riddle's Good Weekend cartoons, including those from What's the Big Idea? and Pink Freud, are now available.

Samples of cartoons

 

Books: Latest Releases

 

The Word Spy (Written by Ursula Dubosarsky, illustrated by Tohby Riddle)

MARCH 2008

An entertaining journey through the English language for children … palindromes, puns and Pig Latin … alphabets, anagrams and acronyms …
Published in Australia by Penguin.

 

Pink Freud

NOVEMBER 2007

Following on from What's the Big Idea?, a long-awaited second (and much larger) collection of Tohby Riddle's cartoons, titled Pink Freud.
Published in Australia by Penguin.

 

 

 

 

Dog and Bird See the Moon

SEPTEMBER 2007

Tohby Riddle's first picture book for the very young. Released in September 2007, under Penguin Australia's new Puffin Baby imprint.

To be published in the UK by Penguin, June 2008.

 

Books: Recent Re-issues

 

The Royal Guest

DECEMBER 2007

This cult favourite from the early 1990s – featuring the Queen being billeted on a royal tour of Australia, by a Mrs Jones of Padstow – was reissued in a soft cover edition in November 2007. Published by Penguin. [Those still searching for the much-loved original hard cover 1993 edition can try Better Read Than Dead bookshop in Newtown, Sydney, Gleebooks, Sydney or this website.]

 

 

 

The Great Escape from City Zoo

MAY 2007

Before Madagascar there was The Great Escape from City Zoo. Tohby Riddle's 1990s classic was re-launched in May 2007 by Penguin (soft cover, $14.95).

New editions to be published in China and South Korea soon.

 

More new books scheduled for 2008 and beyond – watch this space …

Books: Reasonably Recent Releases …

 

Irving the Magician

Now out in soft cover. Published by Penguin.

Live Show: Irving the Magician performed (with songs) by Tony Bones Entertainment

Click here for a longer review on the Australian Book Review web site

Sample Page and Notes on Illustrations

 

What's the Big Idea?
Now a gift-sized paperback

What’s the Big Idea? (Viking Penguin, October 2006 rrp $16.95). A paperback edition of Tohby Riddle’s first collection of cartoons. Printed in full colour, all cartoons were originally published in Good Weekend magazine, the Saturday magazine of the Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne's The Age.

What’s the Big Idea? has been added to the Queensland Dept of Education and the Arts list of recommended Curriculum titles for Years 10–12

sample pages

Other Work

Ernest the Carrot
A Graphic Novel (in episodes)

Ernest the Carrot is a collaboration between Tohby Riddle and Geoffrey McSkimming, author of the widely popular Cairo Jim books.

Ernest and his new friend Al, the tenpin, at large in the big city … [sequence from Episode 2 of the two-part serial "Fear and Skittles".]

See more:
Episode 1 of the ten-part serial "Home Is Where the Hat Is".

 

Recent Art

 

        

 Some more art at shoeboxcreative.com

Some feedback

Keep up the great work. It is greatly appreciated.
– Craig

Just wanted to say I love your work. My fridge is a growing collection of Tohby whimsy.
– Matt

Just saw your stuff on shoebox. It made me happy and smiley and sunny, I like it.
– Emily

Just bought What's the Big Idea?. Love it. I have an interest in teaching Philosophy for Children through which we try to identify the 'big ideas'. Some useful stimulus material in your book.
– Rosie

Thank you for your humbly witty wordplay and gentle illustrations. Your tiny cartoon is my only reason to open the Good Weekend.
– Bec

I loved the question mark balloon ["? Balloon" Good Weekend, 26 June 2004] – thank you for daring to think and waking me up at least once a week.
– John

I've wanted to get a copy of The Royal Guest for years! I saw it in a bookshop years ago, but I felt a bit odd buying myself a children's book. Since then I've looked everywhere for it. I'm delighted that there might be a possibility of getting it through your website.
– Kathy

I just loved "Little Caterpillar" in Good Weekend Sept. 23 [2006].
– Noelene

Love your work! I was given your book What's the Big Idea? for Christmas and loved it. When is your next one coming out?
– Kay

The Great Escape from City Zoo will always be the picture book that re-opened my eyes to the visual dimension – up to now the only picture books that made me pay any attention to the drawings were the Dr Suess books I grew up on.
– Christa

The Singing Hat is fantastic. We have analysed it inside out, upside down and back to front and come up with many possibilities as to hidden and not so hidden meanings. I am sure it will be a winner in any classroom I take it into. Thanks again.
– Rebecca

I just want to let you know I absolutely love your weekly cartoons in SMH's Good Weekend mag. I find your cartoons inspirational & insightful. Congrats on your success and long may it continue.
– Nikki

Have enjoyed your book [What’s the Big Idea?] immensely. Have purchased two copies as presents.
– Brenda

I have just again read The Tip at the End of the Street to my 9 year old son. This is our seventh year of reading the book, neither of us grow tired of it. Your work and art is a credit to Australian authors and illustrators. People like you will continue to put Australia on the map in the field of literature and art. Keep up the terrific work.
– Bruce

Love your work. You're the best.
– Phillipa

I just have to tell you how much I love The Great Escape from City Zoo. I've been teaching various children's literature courses for about 5 years now, and it's always such a pleasure to introduce students to that particular book! It's such a creative departure from conventional picture books, which I think is what makes people respond to it so positively. Good luck with all your work in the future.
– Victoria

Thanks for bringing me perplexing joy on Saturday mornings in the Good Weekend.
– Zanin

The cartoons are great. Thank you for the smiles!
– Lucy

Keep on with your wonderful work!
– Maryanne