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I was rooting for you to win, but - well, beaten by Ed Yong is pretty much a win in itself, just to be included in that company is one hell of a thing. So I'll say Huge Congratulations and damn well mean it.

As always, so much to enjoy here, but I fixated on that Stig Of The Dump cover for most of my reading time. That's the exact copy my primary school library had, and I realised I hadn't thought of that book for well over a decade, so - that was a really grand trip back into my memories.

Normally I'd have some pithy mock-insult to fling at you here, but it's a slow and sleepy day, and frankly you're just not worth it. (Hooray! I had an insult after all. Phew, my branding is saved.)

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Thanks for your surprisingly kind words. As you say, decent list to be on, and thoroughly deserved winner. He also seems like a thoroughly nice guy, which is obviously *really* annoying.

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Yeah. Talented, empathetic AND likeable. What a wanker.

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Congratulations for being on the short list, you deserve it. Love all today’s 6 but especially Stig and the owl. Thank you as always

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Also, you get a nice mention here! https://fivebooks.com/best-books/best-science-books-2023-rebecca-henry/ (Spotted via the latest edition of The Browser newsletter)

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Congrats on being on the short list.

Love Anna Koska's work. I think Barrie of Feasts and Fables (why can't we tag people in comments?) met up with her recently and tried to get her over onto substack. I think she'd like it here.

Enjoyed these illustrations too. Many familiar ones and good reminiscing.

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I definitely wrote about illustrations this week because I 100% knew about illustration day, my work is still heavily influenced by brambly hedge. When I studied astronomy I had a lecturer who was about 100 who would go on long rants about how great the war was because there was no light pollution. These days the telescopes are all on top of mountains and I got shouted at by a lady for taking a coat to Tenerife because ‘I wouldn’t need it’. There are a staggering amount of stars when you can see them all.

I have both those books on my kindle and have not yet read either, congrats to both of you x

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Excellent call out for National Illustration Day and your examples. These important events pass me by often Shameful as I do a lot of illustration http://www.timbaynesart.co.uk/the-galleries.html.

++ Your continued focus on maps is a joy and blessing and an essential part of a fulfilling life. I am ofter surprised how many people, ofter from an unexpected quarter, love maps.

As ever, and have a good week ahead!

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Oh my gosh that mussel painting 🤤

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Wow now I also really want to see Picasso Asterix. Children's picture books were a colorful thread in my childhood because my mom took us to the library to check out bulging bags' worth and half of them she chose just because she loved the art. I've inherited that respect for the fine art that so many children's books really are.

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Oh and that mussel!!

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