Just out this month from Walker Books is a gorgeous piece of innovative publishing – that I just had to have! London A Three Dimensional Expanding City Skyline is a 1.5 metre foldout book, with the most incredible  illustrations by UK artist Sarah McMenemy.

They call it a souvenir on the blurb but it’s so much more than that. Sarah has illustrated twelve of the most famous sites around London in her beautiful style that you can see more of on her website. I find her work a bit like that of Ludwig Bemelmans in the Madeline books and I have well and truly fallen in love with her.

Printed on both the front and back, Sarah’s recreation of the sites of London is simply perfect. My favourite spot and one where I have fantastic memories is the Royal Observatory…

I just want to walk into that painting and lie on that grass amongst the trees – do a bit of thinking about Greenwich Mean Time!

It is difficult to photograph this book and do it justice but you can see that this is definitely not only a souvenir, it is a gorgeous combination of innovative publishing and the most divine illustrations. The whole package is a delight, including the sturdy red box the book is packaged in and it is certainly beautiful for children but if you are like me then as an adult you’ll love it too.

If you have been to London with a child or are dreaming of a trip then this is such a lovely book to share. Ned has never been and we are dreaming but he has really loved the interactivity and intricacy of the book.

There is a New York version scheduled hopefully for around July and then fingers crossed for more wonderful cities.

P.S. Good things do come in little packages and you will not believe the price on this special little box! Check it out at your local Indie bookstore.