The Violet Mackerel Series
Violet Mackerel's Brilliant Plot
Written by Anna Branford, published by Walker Books Australia 2010
Introducing the gorgeous Violet Mackerel, a character who girls 5 + are going to fall in love with. Violet Mackerel thinks she would QUITE LIKE to own the blue china bird at the Saturday markets. This is not just a SILLY WISH. It is instead the start of a VERY IMPORTANT idea. But what she needs is a PLOT. A BRILLIANT plot. Introducing readers to a new warm and loveable character, Violet Mackerel’s Brilliant Plot is a story not to be missed.
The illustrations for the Violet Mackerel series were created with Derwent Inktense pencils and watercolour.
Awards
Shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2011
Honour Book, CBCA Awards 2011
Violet Extras
Visit Violet's website
Tell us about the special Small Things you have found on the Blog of Small Things
“ Davis’ black and white sketches are gorgeous, and complement the text beautifully. They are soft but detailed, I’m guessing pencil sketches with watercolour. Davis really captures so much personality with just a few lines that we gain insight into what is going on in Violet’s head. Davis also gives us Violet’s own sketches and captions, adding to our enjoyment of Violet’s character. ”
“Violet really is a special character whose adventurous spirit and unique way of viewing the world is heartwarming. She is strong, determined, yet open to learning about everything around her. Really, she’s just gorgeous. Davis’s black and white illustrations add a special something, making the characters even more real.”
Violet Mackerel's Remarkable Recovery
Written by Anna Branford, published by Walker Books Australia 2010
Join Violet Mackerel for another warm story as she discovers The Theory of Giving Small Things.
VIOLET MACKEREL has to have her tonsils out. Violet does NOT think this is a good idea. She prefers NOT to have things taken out. But the tonsils have to go. And that’s okay, because maybe Violet will make the most REMARKABLE RECOVERY ever.
The illustrations for the Violet Mackerel series were created with Derwent Inktense pencils and watercolour.
Awards
Shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2011
Honour Book CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2011
Violet Extras
Share a small discovery on the Blog of Small Things
“The books in this series are absolutely delightful. Anna Branford has created an endearing character, in Violet, whose out-of-the-box thinking is as refreshing as it is amusing. Violet’s mix of creativity and pragmatism make for the types of plots young readers will immediately relate to.”
“ Branford’s lively, humorous text is supplemented by Sarah Davis’s wonderful illustrations. Even in black and white her pictures are evocative and full of energy, reinforcing and expanding Branford’s characterisations as well as capturing the loving relationships between Violet and her family.”
Violet Mackerel's Natural Habitat
Written by Anna Branford, Published by Walker Books 2010
VIOLET MACKEREL quite likes helping. She PARTICULARLY likes to help SMALL THINGS. So when Violet makes friends with a tiny ladybird called SMALL GLORIA, she wants to give her a HELPING HAND. But sometimes it’s hard to know the best way to help a SMALL THING – especially when it’s not in its NATURAL HABITAT.
The illustrations for the Violet Mackerel series were created with Derwent Inktense pencils and watercolour.
Awards
Notable Book CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2012
Violet Extras
Share a small discovery on the Blog of Small Things
“ Davis’ black and white sketches are gorgeous, and complement the text beautifully. They are soft but detailed, I’m guessing pencil sketches with watercolour. Davis really captures so much personality with just a few lines that we gain insight into what is going on in Violet’s head. Davis also gives us Violet’s own sketches and captions, adding to our enjoyment of Violet’s character. ”
“Violet really is a special character whose adventurous spirit and unique way of viewing the world is heartwarming. She is strong, determined, yet open to learning about everything around her. Really, she’s just gorgeous.
Davis’s black and white illustrations add a special something, making the characters even more real ”
Violet Mackerel's Personal Space
Written by Anna Branford, Published by Walker Books Australia 2012
Violet is a delightful little character with an ever-thinking mind with great sensitivity to the feelings of others.... The book is written so beautifully and in a thoughtful, understanding way of how children feel when change is happening in their lives. In this book we learn Violet’s Mum and her boyfriend Vincent are getting married and this means moving to a different house where there is more space. Violet’s older brother Dylan’s doesn’t handle this news well and while Violet wants to talk to him and care for him her Mum explains to her his need for personal space. Violet’s sensitivity to him not being okay is so sincere and heartfelt, it prompts readers to feel empathy for others through Violet’s sympathetic eyes. I felt drawn to the characters and felt for them as they handled accepting change, despite being good news, that can still be scary and not feeling okay when someone you love is not okay. - kidlitcove
The illustrations for the Violet Mackerel series were created with Derwent Inktense pencils and watercolour.
Awards
- Australian Family Therapists Younger Reader's Picture Book Award 2013
- CBCA Younger Reader's Notable Book 2013
Violet Extras
Share a small discovery on the Blog of Small Things
“Sarah Davis has a down-to-earth but heartfelt way of sketching people that makes me want to reach out and hug them. When embedded within Violet’s tales, these illustrations add both joy and pain. ”
“Violet really is a special character whose adventurous spirit and unique way of viewing the world is heartwarming. She is strong, determined, yet open to learning about everything around her. Really, she’s just gorgeous.
Davis’s black and white illustrations add a special something, making the characters even more real ”
Violet Mackerel's Possible Friend
Written by Anna Branford, Published by Walker Books 2013
Violet Mackerel has moved into her new house. Violet Mackerel doesn't have any friends near the new house and she would quite like to make one. There is a girl next door who could be a possible friend. Her name is Rose and she has a pink and white bedroom and a doll s house. Violet hopes that Rose might not be a possible friend for very long. In fact, she would quite like Rose to be a very good friend.
The illustrations for the Violet Mackerel series were created with Derwent Inktense pencils and watercolour.
Awards
Shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2014
Notable Book CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2014
Violet Extras
Share a small discovery on the Blog of Small Things
“ Often a book series will start out with a terrific first book and then they fade away. I find sequels can sometimes be disappointing but this is not the case with Violet Mackerel. This new installment Violet Mackerel’s Possible friend is just as good as the first.”
“Violet really is a special character whose adventurous spirit and unique way of viewing the world is heartwarming. She is strong, determined, yet open to learning about everything around her. Really, she’s just gorgeous.
Davis’s black and white illustrations add a special something, making the characters even more real ”
Violet Mackerel's Pocket Protest
Written by Anna Branford, Published by Walker 2013
This is another fabulous story for young girls in the Violet Mackerel series but it can certainly be read as a ‘stand alone’ title.
Violet and her friend Rose are on a mission—to save the oak tree at Clover Park. They do not think that it should be cut down to make way for a car park! It holds way too many special memories and is too important.
So they set out to save it. But as they are making a sign to protest, Violet has a new theory - The Theory of Seeing Small Things. Maybe their protest would get noticed more if they had lots of little protests?
This is a lovely story about believing in something and then actively trying to fix it. It is also full of family warmth and compassion. - Lamont Books
The illustrations for the Violet Mackerel series were created with Derwent Inktense pencils and watercolour.
“Violet and Rose are wonderful characters. They have a passion for little things that gives them the heart to try things others wouldn’t. This is a great message. In fact the Violet books have simple messages about small things which is very Violet. These books are charming and very appealing. The stories are simple, joyous and fun. ”
Violet Mackerel's Helpful Suggestion
by Anna BranfordPublished by Walker 2010
VIOLET MACKEREL is excited. Her best friend Rose is going on a trip to JAPAN. But Violet is going to miss her TERRIBLY. Six weeks is a long time. What if Rose FORGETS her? It may all be a SLIGHT DISASTER. Unless Violet can come up with a perfect plan and a very HELPFUL SUGGESTION.
The illustrations for the Violet Mackerel series were created with Derwent Inktense pencils and watercolour.
“There are no reviews of Violet Mackerel’s Helpful Suggestion yet... it’s about to be released!”