May 2013 Book of the Month The specialness of friendship is the key to this witty story about a Melvin the unluckiest monkey in the world and Pete, a Penguin with a gift for being kind. Everything seems to go wrong for Melvin; he slips on a banana skin, people look at him in the zoo and ask to have their photo taken with him. Surely it is because they think he looks silly? Pete does everything he can to make Melvin feels better and finally does! Sophisticated illustrations capture Melvin’s inner insecurities brilliantly.
*Melvin is certain he's the unluckiest monkey in the world. He's run out of bananas, thinks he has a terrible disease, and decides nobody can help, not even his best friend Pete! What ensues is a tale of true friendship and the importance of making your own luck.
Illustrated in wonderful line-drawn and colour pictures, Claudia Boldt creates a unique cast of characters in this humorous and sweet story.
Selected as a Booktrust Best New Illustrator of 2011.
Claudia went to Glasgow School of Art as well as Kingston University where she graduated with a Masters in Illustration in 2007. The same year she founded Cloud Cuckoo Studio with fellow illustrator Katharina Koall in London's East End.
What Claudia likes doing most is writing and illustrating fun and slightly absurd comedies for 4 year olds! She wants to entertain while remaining truthful to her personal emotions, interests and ideas.
Apart from making picture books her work has been exhibited internationally and was showcased in several publications including Images 33 and the 3x3 Illustration Directory. Recent editorial commissions include Waterstone's Books Quarterly, Die Zeit and Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazin.
Claudia was chosen as one of Booktrust's Best New Illustrators for 2011.
