My uncle bought me two of your books when he went to visit his family in England. I love them!!!!! I would like to ask you how you got your titles? Did you realise that children, like myself who are going through puberty enjoy being able to laugh about such a confusing time in their lives? My dad was not so sure about buying a book like yours for a young person but he has changed his mind. Your book was not in my school library I was astonished to realise this and have asked my librarian to purchase it.
Keeliah F..

To Babette,
On Friday, 26th January, you visited Oakwood infant school in Clacton on Sea. I went there as well from Walton primary and I really enjoyed your workshop about Henry’s bum. It was really good fun! Thank you very much,
From Sophie. Aged 8

Dear Babette
I am a somewhat older reader (nearly 30 to be exact) and I have a major fascination with crocodiles. I just wanted to let you know that being a fan of Nungu and the crocodile, I plan on having a few of your crocodile illustrations tattooed on my leg.
I am not sure if anyone has done this yet, but I love the wedding image and the babies in the pram at the back of the book. I just wanted to let you know and I hope you approve of my image choice...I also plan on 'the Enormous Crocodile being there as well! Thank you so much for the illustations, they mean a lot to me
Many thanks Rachael

Hi Babette, I am writing a memo to say thank you for giving me the inspiration to write a book which is very close to my heart, about Matu the elephant(hope you remember).

Thank you so much for your time, your very bubbly personality, and your fabulous ideas. I have a real desire to make a go of this book, thanks to you. I hope arts weeks went with a bang for you with your party and I look forward to popping in over the two weeks.

I hope you might be able to see us (Venue 56 and 57)
Take care
Much love
Kirsten Harvey

Princess Smartypants
I think is a fantastic book. Can you do a book about fairies please? Thanks. You are my favourite writer. Congraulations
From Sara...aged 10

Babette,
I am studying teaching at the Australian Catholic University in Canberra, Australia and am doing an assignment on childrens literature and the importance of using big books and picture books in the classroom to promote childrens reading.

I have used one of your books in another subject (Hair in Funny Places) to teach about puberty which I found to be most informative. I love the illustrations in the book which deliver messages to the children in ways that they can understand.

I read on your site that we are able to purchase some of your drawing is this correct.
Colleen Le-grand

Supermoo..... My 4 year old son LOVES supermoo! We both laugh out loud when we are reading it - every night. Fantastic art to accompany the story and I love the analagies to Batman and Robin. Favourite phrase - "Crikey Cream Cheese!"

Dear Babette, We love your books and we think hair in funny places is the best! We always read it! Keep up the good work! lucy & dan.

On the birth of my first son Nicholas, my mother bought me The Trouble With Mum.
We have enjoyed your books through the years and still still buy them for my 5 year old (20 years on) just a big thank you for your imaginitive approach to childrens books. I have just loved reading them to my brood of boys. Sara

Hi Babette. I'm a fan of yours and I just want say that I love your books! I personally collect your books and I use some of them in my class. I'm a college professor and I teach Developmental Psychology and your books entertainingly reflect the concepts in that subject. You're not just a writer but an artist rolled into one. All the best amd more books/arts to come! Greetings from the Philippines....Lyn

Hours of endless fun! Roddy Doyle

today is the first day of spring and on monday we started to learn about you I,m one of your fans I love tarzana and super moo .I like super moo because you copyed batman by the way i,m a girl and I live in ...... new zealand thats it for now bye . p.s Ilove your pictures.

Book: Hair in funny places
I thought it was really funny and i giggled all the way through!!!.....Abigail....10yrs

At last Babette Cole’s enchanting Princess Smartypants is back in Long Live Princess Smartypants. (Puffin £10.99) I loved her even before I had a child because, like me, long yellow hair, a big black motorbike a disinclination to settle down and a liking for reptiles. In this latest story, the feisty princess decides she wants a baby – but not a husband to go with it.

Babette Cole’s Long Live Princess Smartypants (Puffin £10.99) is a tonic: a wild cautionary tale from a country tellingly named Totaloonia. She loves playing with baby dragons (sticking dummies in their mouths) and decides it would be fun to have a baby of her own. Parents will enjoy what follows as much as children. It is Babette Cole’s particular genius to turn anarchy, dysfunction and irregularity of every kind into entertainment.

Dr. Dog, Princess Smartypants, Winni Alfours, Trouble with Mom, Prince Cinders

Honestly, I never heard of Babette Cole until I entered my Children's Literature class in college on my way to become a teacher.
Now I regret not hearing of her when I was a kid, I love the humor and the pictures. I just wish I had more access to her books in my area.
Bryan
age: 21
Thursday, July 6, 2000

Hair in Funny Places

It taught me all I needed to know about being a big girl.
Spot and Dolly & Co
Age: Don't be rude!
Sunday 28 May, 2000

Every one I can get my hands on

I loved them all - made us laugh like hyenas and the drawings are better than Searle - my little girl Lucy Mae is only 11 months old and is a big fan - we like everything about Babette and have established a huge fan club here in Venice - yea hurrah Babette!
Holly Snapp
age 30 something
Sunday, October 11, 2001

Babette Cole

"[John Huddy's] most expensive artist - and one of his own personal favourites because she makes him laugh - is Babette Cole, who produces zany, comical images of exuberant and eccentric characters in children's books that break down taboos.. " The Times

Hair in Funny Places

Wickedly funny, Babette Cole is the sort of adult sometimes more popular with children than with parents, who might be embarrassed at her total lack of shame. . . Anatomical detail is not spared, but no one could stay offended for long with this most entertaining of picture books.
Sally Williams in The Independent

Hair in Funny Places

If you want to forewarn them of what lies ahead once puberty strikes, Babette Cole's Hair in Funny Places is just the thing. . . The wild humour, unflinching frankness and surrealist story had both my children giggling . . .
Amanda Craig in The Independent on Sunday

 

 

Dr Dog

Dear Review Section
As a Royal Dog and mother of eight,I thought Dr Dog was an excellent book for human children, so that they can recogise their various illnesses, and a very good, well observed book from a dog's point of view. Human's do take us for granted. They always expect us to be there when they need us, never take any notice of what we are trying to say to them and are generally of the same unfortunate dispostion regarding their own children!
Lady Lupin Longtail,
Royal Dog of Scotland.
24 March 2000.
Age 4.