We've written about this guy's work - and one of his books - again and again so it's only fitting to feature him in our #Booky100Keepers list as these really are something mighty special.

Our obsession with Levi Pinfold's amazing work began with a family trip to our local bookstore, Mostly Books. At the time it was being run by Mark and Nicki Thornton and we would drop in from time to time to see what was new or up and coming in children's books.

"Black Dog" by Levi Pinfold (Templar Publishing) was a recommendation from Mark, sitting on the shelves with one of those hand-scribbled bookseller "Buy this book you will NOT be disappointed" notes on it and the man knows his onions, he was right, "Black Dog" really was our kind of book.

In fact it came along at a time where I was beginning to wonder whether we'd see any proper 'dark' books in kidlit ever again. Though it is a dark book, and for C at the time something of a scary book (but not too scary to be read again and again at bedtime) the core message of being brave even when you're small and facing a seemingly monstrous opponent is delivered clad in the finest illustrative and storytelling clothes you can possibly imagine.

There's a reason Levi's books come along once in a blue moon, I mean just look at these painted illustrations, for goodness sake. Could he set the bar any higher?


Of course this book booted us into action, swiftly hoovering up "Black Dog's" predecessor and Levi's first children's book, "The Django"...

This one dips into the influences of Django Rheinhart and also has a rather cool romany setting for the story of a young boy who meets a trickster who loves playing mischievous gags on him.

The story feels fresh and original, and once again the visuals are to die for,  filled with atmosphere and humanity, almost to the point where the book makes you feel itchy at times, it really does feel like you become part of the story world as you immerse yourself in it.

The Django might be a pain, but the boy misses him once he's sent packing on his way, scolded and spurned. It's a bit of an obscure favourite this one but if you love any of Levi's other books, it's definitely worth sourcing a copy. It's glorious.

The only other author-illustrated Pinfold book (that we know of at least, unless he's currently working on another masterpiece) is "Greenling"

We just don't know how Levi manages to tick all the boxes for the perfect children's picture book so nicely. A story that you'd swear was a classic tale, it feels that familiar - yet also somehow feels totally original.

Artwork that almost makes you want to cry, it's that good.

...And a story that tugs at the heartstrings, a couple adopting the strangest little child, but loving it despite its strange powerful draw on the plants around them.

One more book worthy of note is Levi's collaboration with David Almond, the truly stunning award winning "The Dam" (this one published by Walker Books)...

There's something ethereal about this one, funereal, other-worldly. The perfect fusion of a true story given a biographical twist, and truly stunning (of course) artwork in each and every spread, telling the tale of a once prosperous village that was evacuated and eventually drowned to make way for a colossal reservoir and dam.

Drawing on the spoken stories and the photos of the place as it succumbed to the water, it's like a modern folk fable given the most glorious sheen to polish it up for a modern audience.

We really hope Levi Pinfold isn't quite done with children's books yet. Another one of those author-illustrators we'd come out of retirement to rave about.

Original Review Links: 

"Black Dog" written and illustrated by Levi Pinfold (Templar Books)

The Django written and illustrated by Levi Pinfold (Templar Books)

ReaditDaddy's First Book of the Week - Week Ending 4th September 2015 - "Greenling" by Levi Pinfold (Templar Publishing)

ReadItDaddy's Second Picture Book of the Week - Week Ending 9th November 2018: "The Dam" by David Almond and Levi Pinfold (Walker Studios)

Without a doubt, Levi Pinfold is one very talented guy. We have extolled the virtues of his book "Black Dog" - one of the highlights of our reading year in 2012. The Django came before it though, and it's taken us this long to get round to picking it up. We're so glad we did.

With more than a nod to the great Django Reinhardt, it tells the tale of a young Romany boy called Jean who lives with his father in a travelling caravan camp. A simple life, getting work where they can and sitting down in the evening to enjoy the sweet sweet sounds of his father's banjo.

That is, until the arrival of a rather mischievous creature called "The Django" introduces complete chaos into their lives.

The Django is extremely naughty, cropping up at the worst possible time to create havoc. He begins by breaking Jean's father's precious banjo, for which Jean gets the blame and from then on The Django continues causing trouble everywhere poor Jean goes.

Finally, Jean has had enough of the Django's silly tricks and jokes, and banishes him forever.

Life returns to its normal idyll but secretly Jean rather misses the Django's crazy antics and silly songs. Perhaps he was more than just a pain in the neck, perhaps he was a part of Jean that had been missing for years.

It's impossible not to get completely lost in the sumptuous detail of Levi Pinfold's beautiful painted illustrations (just as we did with Black Dog) but the lyrical storytelling is luscious too.

There's some great factual stuff about the real Django - Django Reinhardt - at the back of the book (such a smooth dude!). The book triggered great interest in the banjo, an instrument Charlotte was unfamiliar with so it was great to dig out one or two pieces of music at home with banjos on, to let her hear the sound (We chose "Anybody Anyway" by Even As We Speak and "I Love You, Goodbye" by Thomas Dolby - We don't have any Django music at home, sadly!)

Charlotte's best bit: Spotting The Django lurking in the backgrounds and popping up to create mischief

Daddy's favourite bit: Levi Pinfold joins that great roster of artist-illustrators whose books instantly go on our list as soon as we hear about them. Utterly luxuriously illustrated, beautifully written and very highly recommended.