Hello Twins

by
Charlotte Voake
Illustrator: Charlotte Voake

Although Charlotte and Simon are twins, they aren't alike at all. Charlotte loves building towers; Simon loves knocking them down. Simon always eats his dinner, whereas Charlotte daydreams. And while Simon looks at pictures in books, Charlotte just adds her own.

But although they do everything differently, they love each other just the same. A new departure, stylistically, for Charlotte Voake, Hello Twins looks stunning. A large square book printed on soft cream paper with charcoal black brush-strokes delineating the two characters, the thick smudgy lines beautifully conveying movement and individuality.

Muted toning colours are sparingly used and repeated, creating real visual cohesion in this pleasingly simple book – not so much a story as an exploration of being a twin.

Publisher: Walker Books

Charlotte Voake

Born and raised in Wales, Charlotte says that book illustration is "the only thing I ever wanted to do." Skipping formal training in art, she studied art history at London University and worked at an art gallery before embarking on a freelance career in illustration. "I don't know that I'm a funny person," says author-illustrator Charlotte, "but it seems when I begin to draw that the characters change, and they take on this amusing and amused look." Indeed, her illustrations are widely loved for this very quality of gentle wit, not to mention their quiet observation, airy exuberance and utter charm.

Charlotte Voake