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Quentin Blake has been drawing ever since he can remember. He taught illustration for over twenty years at the Royal College of Art, of which he is an honorary professor. He has won many prizes, including the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration, the Eleanor Farjeon Award and the Kate Greenaway Medal, and in 1999 he was appointed the first Children's Laureate. In the 2013 New Year's Honours List he was knighted for services to illustration.
Surf's up and Mrs. Armitage is ready to do the California slither, Bali swerve, and Waikiki flip. All she seems to need is the perfect wave, as well as some snacks, a windsock, a float, and a megaphone, among other things. She gets a real work-out as she swims to shore each time to gather the items she and her loyal dog will need for the Big Wave. Readers gladly go along for the trip: The resourceful heroine brings spunky, funky fun to a simple day at the beach. Blake, in a gleeful mode, flaunts his signature wackiness in an avid display of Mrs. Armitage's kitschy taste and ingenuity - the megaphone is for flirting, of course. The anticipation has a payoff, too, as Mrs. Armitage puts her clutter to work to aid a helpless swimmer. The heroine's no-sweat attitude, along with Blake's humorous details, are the perfect combination for beach blanket fun. (Kirkus Reviews)
