Wednesday 13 April 2011

Oscar and BAFTA winner Jim Broadbent reads from Mole's Sunrise



A beautifully illustrated and movingly written story about a blind mole who wonders what a sunset is like. Mole's Sunrise by Jeanne Willis and illustrated by Sarah Fox Davies will certainly stay with you long after reading it!



Mole had never seen the sunrise. "I'd love to see it," he said. When his good friends, Vole, Rabbit, Squirrel and Sparrow take him down to the lake to show him the sunrise, their vivid descriptions help him to see it in his mind and he is able to imagine the rising sun and experience its beauty for himself.



Award winning charity Living Paintings has also developed Mole's Sunrise into a new touch, sound and picture book for blind children. Using tactile picture carvings by Living Paintings’ artist Peter Boex, and audio description from Oscar and BAFTA award winner, and Harry Potter star, Jim Broadbent, the story can be enjoyed in all its glory by children who are not able to see, on the same day that their friends can read the traditional version.



The adaptation was the idea of the book’s author Jeanne Willis. Jeanne said: ‘I’ve already been lucky enough to have two picture books brilliantly adapted by Living Paintings and I know that its production of Mole’s Sunrise will be inspired in every sense. I’m particularly thrilled that this title has been adopted because like vole, sparrow, rabbit and squirrel, Living Paintings will show the sunset to its audience in all its glory – something I could never hope to do through words alone.’



Living Paintings’ Chief Executive, Camilla Oldland added: ‘Thanks to a collaboration with Walker Books and author, Jeanne Willis, Living Paintings is proving that it is possible to break down yet another barrier in achieving equal access to literature for blind and partially sighted children.



You can listen to the dulcet tones of Jim Broadbent reading from Mole's sunrise here.