Description
In this intimate and inspiring DVD, school friends, April and Dianne visit illustrator/author Jane Ray at her London home. First they join a class at her local primary school where she draws a mythical creature and helps the pupils create their own amazing beasts, before reading from her book "Can You Catch A Mermaid". The friends are then transported to the world of Jane's childhood, an exquisite 'chocolatebox' house where she grew up and where her father still lives. Jane shows them how the house has featured in many of her illustrations then talks about her life and childhood, always spent drawing and painting. Back at Jane's own house they squeeze into the tiny shed where she works and discuss the book she is illustrating and the variety of materials she uses. A week later Jane and April meet on a beach to build a sand mermaid but as the tide washes it away a surprise visitor arrives in a gorilla mask! "Can You Catch A Mermaid" is specially featured on the DVD, threading moments captured from the day on the beach with the book's turning pages. Jane's beautiful narration and her father's piano soundtrack make it a true family affair. Jane studied Art & Design at Middlesex University and began her career designing greetings cards and books covers. Her distinctive style soon established her as a successful picture book artist, working with many leading authors and later illustrating her own stories. Jane won the Smarties Award in 1992 and her work has been shortlisted for the Kate Greenway Award four times. This film is a fascinating insight into the world of Jane Ray and a must-see for her millions of fans around the world.
