Following are some recent book projects by illustrator and co-author, Jules Ober
Rockpooling With Pup
Come with Mia and Pup on a slippery, slimy, scuttling, rippling adventure around the colourful rock pools.
Help them find the blue rings before the tide comes in.
Concept, story and photography by Jules Ober. Text by Kevin Brophy.
A 48 page picture book published by Ford Street Publishing, Melbourne, Australia.
Jules designed and 3D printed 'Mia' an 8cm tall figurine based on her (and Pierre-Jacques') daughter Solveig - a little human who is a fantastically curious, quirky and intelligent force of nature!
The little Mia doll and her dog Pup became Jules' companions as she explored the rocky shores along the NSW coast and all the way down to Tasmania. From Yuraygir National Park to Bermagui and on to Lunawanna-allonah (Bruny Island), Mia and Pup discover the incredible little ecosystems that exist in the tidal rock pools.
Jules worked on the final text with Australian poet, Kevin Brophy.
Released in September 2022 by Ford Street Publishing.
Jules aims to take Mia and Pup on more adventures exploring the world at ground level. We'll discover more of the incredible biodiversity of our unique planet and learn about the fascinating ecosystems to which we are all connected.
Tarni's Chance
When Tarni’s mum says goodbye, all the colour and joy of life seem to go with her. Tarni retreats into her bubble.
But then Chance steps in . . .
Miniatures and photography by Jules Ober. Story by Paul Collins.
A 32 page picture book published by Ford Street Publishing, Melbourne, Australia.
- A moving story about loneliness and loss, and the life- changing power of friendship and empathy
- Beautifully illustrated with evocative, handmade miniatures and photography by internationally award- winning artist Jules Ober
- A sensitive exploration of social themes such as family breakdown, self-doubt, anxiety and resilience
- Striking design featuring a changing palette reflecting the main character’s journey from darkness to light
Jules created and photographed the miniature sets on a table by her window during lockdown in Melbourne, winter 2020.
Reviews
As much as the text in this narrative of family breakdown, self-doubt and anxiety echoes the feelings of loss and loneliness that so many readers will have felt, it is the illustrations that make it so special. Beginning in deep shades of grey as her parents argue, with the only colour being Tarni and her guitar, her bubble of music, a monochromatic scheme that continues as Tarni comes to grip with her loss, finding solace only in solo activities like drawing and reading, gradually being consumed by the grey of her grief. Using handmade miniatures set against black and white photography, the reader is drawn deeper into Tarni's world, but then Tarni spots a stray, ragged dog, seemingly as lost as she is, and there is a ray of hope. Brief though it is, it shows both the reader and Tarni that there is still a glimmer of colour in the world, and when the dog returns the grey gradually disappears.
While this is not the first book to use colour to depict mood and emotion in this way, and the use of miniatures and photography was a feature of the 2020 CBCA shortlisted The Good Son, nevertheless it is a powerful representation that those who have passed through the grey of grief will relate to, and those who are still in it will be buoyed by the prospect that colour still exists and step by step they will find it.
Barbara BraxtonTeacher LibrarianM.Ed.(TL), M.App.Sci.(TL), M.I.S. (Children's Services)Dromkeen Librarian's Award 2003"Paul Collins and Jules Ober have created a picture book brimming with poignancy and emotion, the text and illustration simultaneous captivating its audience and tugging tightly at the heartstrings until the very last page"
"... Ober's unique method of 'illustrating' through photographs of miniatures, and her brilliant technique of colour splashes slowly seeping into the black and white pictures as protagonist Tarn's life becomes more hopeful, not only enhance the text but creates a concurrent story of its own"
"Collins has woven a story of sparse words, yet mountains of subtext, and the poignancy of the subtle text rings loud and true. 'Tarni's Chance' begins as heartbreaking yet the protagonist's hopes soar as the story goes on, and so does the reader's"
Magpies Magazine
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