Book of the Month competition: Magical Worlds
We are excited to offer five copies of Magical Worlds: An Enchanted Colouring Adventure by Johanna Basford in our October Book of the Month competition, courtesy of our friends at Ebury Press.
To be in with a chance of winning this gorgeous new colouring book from the bestselling 'Queen of Colouring', all you need to do is answer the question at the bottom of the page by midnight on 31 October 2024.
All entrants must reside in the UK and full terms and conditions apply. Check out our competitions page to find more giveaways.
About Magical Worlds by Johanna Basford
Magical Worlds is a colouring book for adults of faraway lands, enchanted castles, and inky realms, all featuring Johanna Basford’s trademark illustrations. Let your creativity take you on an incredible journey as you add colour to underwater cities, tiny, cosy cottages, and marvellous tree houses.
It is presented in a beautiful lay-flat binding with thick cream paper and a cover laced with delicate gold foiling. It truly is a book to treasure – and bring to life with colour!
Q&A with Johanna Basford
How did you first get into creating books?
I had been working as a commercial illustrator for about 10 years, creating artwork for lots of different clients for everything from wine labels to shampoo bottles, book covers and tattoos. My style was intricate, hand-drawn artwork that was always black and white. Some of my clients would joke with me that the inky monochrome drawings I made from them would make an excellent colouring book but we were never serious! Then in 2011 an editor emailed me asking if I fancied making a children’s colouring book. I replied saying that I’d love to make one, but I’d like to do one for adults instead. Something richly ornate and sophisticated, with the same level of finesse as the artwork I was making from my commercial clients. We published Secret Garden and my colouring book adventures began!
What can our readers expect from Magical Worlds?
An inky escape from reality! I came up with the idea for this book on a long drive from my home in Aberdeenshire to a Munro I was climbing. When 'adulting' gets too much for me, I find time in nature is the perfect antidote. Magical Worlds is inspired by my long walks up mountains, through forests or at the beach. This book invites you to grab some colouring pencils and run away from real life for a little while. You can colour magical treehouses, search for sea monsters, bring a dragon to life or create your dream castle.
Are there any books or artists that inspire your work/inspired this book?
Lots! I have two daughters and we read a lot of books together. I often find the stories we read together and the conversations we have about them inspire my work more than anything else. Harry Potter (of course!), the Rainbow Grey series by Laura Ellen Anderson and Theresa Breslin’s illustrated books on Scottish mythical creatures and Scottish castle legends. I also love Alice in Wonderland – the notion of tumbling down the rabbit hole and finding yourself in enchanted realms full of curious characters and imagined landscapes has always appealed to my inner child.