Author(s): Michael Leblond,Frederique Bertrand
Format: Mixed media product
No. of Pages: 24
Publisher: Phoenix Yard Books
Language: English
Date Published: 2012-10-26
Dimensions: 240 x 320 x 5mm
Publication City/Country: London, United Kingdom
Edition:
Illustrations: col. Illustrations

An animated picture book like you've never seen before! The picture book sensation sweeping France has arrived in the UK. Join our pyjama clad hero as he leaves his bedroom to see the sights of New York at night time. Dodge the traffic, be dazzled by the lights on Broadway and take in the heights of the Big Apple's dizzying skyline. Move the piece of acetate slowly across the page and watch the images come to life as if by magic. The book is produced using the amazing technique of Ombro-Cinema: the lines imbedded in the design create an illusion of movement when contrasted against the lines of the acetate. Words are never going to do justice to this title, which is why our YouTube video can be found https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbVpL7JEs0s REVIEWS: "A notable curiosity is picturebook New York in Pyjamarama, because sliding a striped acetate rectangle over the images makes them move astonishingly - wheels spin, spirals whirl, and traffic, as seen from the air, moves through the streets." -- THE SUNDAY TIMES. "New York in Pyjamarama was the fastest selling picture book in France, eventually selling over 100,000 copies, and it is not hard to see why.
Created by illustrator Frederique Bertrand and animator and writer Michael Leblond, the book is animated thanks to a technique called Ombro-cinema which uses a piece of acetate to bring to life the pictures. This is achieved by the lines embedded in the design mixing with lines on the acetate, which create an illusion of movement. This technique now feels new and innovative. In a world where children are used to CGI, 3D and all the rest, it is marvellous and heart-warming to be able to present them with a book that can surprise and bewilder them. My 10 year-old son's reaction said it all: it was a simple and genuine "WOW". The rhyming text and quirky graphics, all in primary colours, make the story entertaining and great to read aloud. Teamed with those fabulous animations, they create a superb picture book which really is like nothing you are likely to have seen before. It is truly inspired book which will delight avid readers, but also those who might be a bit reluctant: the interactivity is guaranteed to hook them in. Without a doubt, New York in Pyjamarama is in my top ten of picture books. Pure joy!" -- LIBRARY MICE.
"New York in Pajamarama is a truly unique book which uses techniques to create the illusion of movement. The nature of this illustrative magic is perfect for creating the dynamic movement of city life with its sparking lights, racing taxis, rustling leaves in Central Park, frantic shoppers and dizzying skyscrapers. It was nearly impossible to get a good photo of my kids reading the book because they loved it so much they kept fighting over who would get to control the animation! I highly recommend New York in Pajamarama, especially for kids who might have a wee bit of trouble sitting still for story time." -- WHAT WE DO ALL DAY. "I found this book to be marvellous and highly recommend it ...The great thing about New York in Pajamarama is that readers can open the large book flat to control and enjoy the "magic." This is not a library book! It's a book to purchase (and I don't say that about many books since I love the library so much)." -- STORIED CITIES BOOKS. "This a book like no other - or at least no other that I've seen. It's about a boy who explores the city of New York in his magical pyjamas. Quite normal.
But where this book comes alive is the fact that the pictures can move with the aid of a magical piece of acetate ...The collaged graphics are all colourful and simple yet carefully composed to sit well when they're still and come alive when in motion. The book could have been done quite easily as an app, but it wasn't. It's a book, a tactile book that needs to be moved around and explored. And that's what I love about it the most." -- BOOKS I LIKE. "Optical illusions suggest blinking lights and churning traffic in this interactive book...the spinning wheels, waving tree leaves, and busy streets should produce the anticipated hypnotic effect, and curious readers will study how the oddly lined pages and striped plastic create the twinkling special effects." -- PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY.