Penny in Miffyland and a GIVEAWAY

Penny was beginning to get very tired of being pregnant, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her husband was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, 'and what is the use of a book', thought Penny, 'without pictures or conversation?  And then Penny's Mummy and Daddy suggested a visit to an art gallery.   From behind a pillar appeared a white rabbit... (Thanks to Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll)

This was taken when I was pregnant with Miss L (just thought I would make that clear), at an exhibition of Dick Bruna's illustrations at Manchester Art Gallery .  I loved his work as a child but as an adult the exhibition gave me a whole new appreciation.

Bruna used to be in advertising before he went into illustrating kid's books.  I think this really shows in his knack for communicating powerful messages simply.  Although his illustrations are far from simple to create.  Often it can take Bruna all day to get an expression just right. “For me, less is more. I work very hard on tears, making two or three of them, and then finding that one tear is more effective”. 

Miffy is 55 this year, but doesn't look a day over 5.  But even more remarkable, Dick Bruna is 82 and still works every day in his studio in Utrecht.

http://www.miffyshop.co.uk/ has a great selection of Miffy goods which would make great Christmas presents and stocking fillers. With Miss L starting school next year I am very drawn to this Miffy lunchbox:

I also have two to giveaway to two of the people who leave a comment below.  Please remember to tell me how I can contact you. 

For extra entries you are very welcome to tweet 'I have entered the Miffy giveaway http://t.co/UzCsu5i  #win #comp'  /follow my blog/ follow me on twitter @Aresidence/ mention this prize on your blog.  Please leave a separate comment for each you have done so I can allocate a number to each entry. 

Good Luck!  This is open until Thursday 16th December.  I am sorry but UK entries only.