

You love your big brother so much! He’s the best. So why doesn’t he want you around? Ben Mantle draws from experience in a quintessential sibling story full of warmth and wit. Nano and his older brother, Felix, are best friends who read each other’s minds and have super-secret phrases, like “totally grape.” They do everything together! Like playing dino smash monster truckers (“Hey! That’s MY car!”) or being a pair of totally amazing artistes–until somebody’s squiggly line crosses straight through Felix’s perfect picture (“Moooom! Look what Nano has done!”). Nano can’t wait to join Felix, the bestest big brother ever, inside his incredible tree house . . . but hang on, what’s that sign that says “No Nanos Allowed”? Fine! He’ll just build his own tree house . . . or rain house . . . wind or no wind . . . In Ben Mantle’s classic story of squabbling siblings–the younger one adoring, the older in need of space–the comedic illustrator brings a fresh touch and signature visual humor, building up to a heartwarming denouement sure to resonate with brothers and sisters everywhere.
Ben was born in Leamington Spa in 1980, and developed a very early interest in things artistic, designing programme covers for school productions and even coming first in his local library colouring-in competition. From there he went on to study animation at Surrey Institute of Art & Design, graduating in 2003.. He then gained valuable experience working on Tim Burton’s “Corpse Bride” before moving to Brighton to work as ‘Head of Animation’ in a media company, focusing on Character and Background design. He was also part of the Animation team creating the BAFTA winning ‘Big and Small’ CBeebies website. Since 2008, Ben has been working as a Children’s Book Illustrator from his shared studio in Brighton and he also produces screen prints and digital artwork to exhibit. He illustrated ‘Callum’s Incredible Construction Kit’ which won the Bishop’s Stortford Picture Book prize 2013.
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