Giselle Clarkson
- Sep 2

The Giselle Clarkson Comic: Number 29

If you are as committed to children's books as Giselle and The Sapling team are, no doubt you've found yourself pondering many branded purchases linked to your favourite picture book. Nothing made Sarah happier when her kids were little than when her friends bought them picture book merchandise t-shirts! Giselle takes a wander down the side aisles of children's book merch.

As a giant picture book nerd I have a very long wishlist of cool products related to my favourite stories. pics: caterpillar socks, tiger food can, simon rabbit, jon klassen pins

licensed products CAN be a bit hit and miss though. 'Who could forget the time they sold that Harry Potter broomstick that... vibrated.'

Fungus the Bogeyman picking his nose on a Marks & Spencers hanky - pictured - if I owned this I would frame it.

A Winnie the Pooh toilet seat that frankly encourages TERRIBLE aim. (winnie image on the seat)

Speaking of Pooh, this one time in Christchurch I picked something interesting-looking out of a puddle and it was a tiny Pooh in a crab costume. Bet you anything EH Shepard didn't see this coming (image of crab pooh)

It was actually Beatrix Potter who was the first to fully capitalise on the merch opportunities of her characters. She made official wallpaper, toys, board games... (Beatrix with glasses)

A plethora of unauthorised Peters emerged, with countless books and related toys, and got totally out of hand (images - three peters) publisher says hahaha whoops

giselle clarkson

Giselle Clarkson is a freelance illustrator and comic creator from Wellington. Her work has appeared in a bunch of School Journals as well as Gecko Press’ ANNUAL. She illustrated the 2018 picture book Secret World of Butterflies by Courtney Sina Meredith (Allen & Unwin NZ) and the 2019 children's novel Hazel and the Snails by Nan Blanchard (Annual Ink/Massey University Press). Her most recent illustrations are in The Gobbledegook Book, by Joy Cowley (Gecko Press), shortlisted for theNew Zealand Children and Young Adult's Book Awards. Her next book Egg and Spoon, by Alexandra Tylee is out next month. Giselle's secret talent is rescuing moths from the shower without accidentally drowning them. Visit her website: www.giselledraws.com.

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