Mellops Strike Oil

Tomi Ungerer (1931-2019) is a legend in the world of children’s books. Born in Strasbourg in 1931, Tomi landed in New York in 1956 with $60 in his pocket and with a suitcase full of drawings. Overnight he became a star as a caricaturist, illustrator, and children’s book author. He published more than 140 books for children and for adults in his prolific life. Tomi is a winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest achievable international award for children’s literature, and was named Ambassador for Childhood and Education by the Council of Europe in 2003. The Musée Tomi Ungerer, a museum devoted exclusively to his work, opened in 2007 in Strasbourg, France. Tomi passed away in 2019 but up until his death he continued to create new art every day, and write stories in three languages – English, French, and German!

"Charming... Printed on thick mat paper, with a two-colour palette true to the author and artist Tomi Ungerer's original artwork, the books make delightful bedtime reading for the under-sevens."—Daily Telegraph"There is an educational element to this story too. The discovery by the Mellops' of the different fossils - ammonites, belemnites and ceriths are accompanied by an illustration of each to show what they look like. Even the exploration for oil is carefully explained in the illustrations and text. The wooden tower the Mellops' build is called a derrick and the dangers of oil are emphasised when a discarded cigar causes a fire in the forest with the flames threatening to set the oil alight. Luckily, Mr Mellops is able to save the day."—Outside In, Inside Out