The Weather Machine

By DONOVAN BIXLEY

Published by Hachette New Zealand, 24 September 2013 $19.99 RRP

Once upon a time, in a world not so different to ours, a little blue man decides to create a machine to control the weather. It all goes terribly wrong.

With humour, subtlety and a sense of adventure, Donovan Bixley's engaging illustrations capture both the hopefulness and naivety of human industry in this wordless book.

This is a book for everyone. Younger children will love the colourful, fun illustrations of the strange but familiar world with its curious inhabitants. Older children and adults will grasp the more subtle meaning behind this environmental Frankenstein‐like story about one man who wants to do good but creates a 'monster'.

About the Author

Donovan Bixley is an illustrator and designer. He has illustrated more than 100 stories and book covers as well as over 50 books, including Harry Hobnail & the Pungapeople and Mr Tanglewood & the Pungapeople by beloved New Zealand author Barry Crump. Donovan was the illustrator of the bestselling children's books The Wheels on the Bus (2010) and Old Macdonald's Farm (2011). He has also written and illustrated half a dozen books of his own, including Faithfully Mozart which was a finalist in the 2006 Montana New Zealand Book Awards.