Get your own Emilio doll

Hi, my name is Emilio. How are you today?

Me and my brothers, who are also called Emilio (our parents were not very imaginative with names), love to travel. You can now buy one of us from Esty, a great online crafts store, for just $12 / £7.80, plus the cost of our travel to you. We are hand-made from felt, decorated with a marker pen, and are usually about 12cm. high. We are very friendly and would love to come and be part of your family.

Click here to order one of us. We look forward to meeting you.

Emilio xx

“Emilio goes Wild” in Spanish now!

“Emilio va de safari” es nuestro nuevo libro en español. Emilio continua con sus aventuras por el mundo. En este libro, Emilio viaja a África con su amigo Juani, donde se pierde en la selva y conoce muchos animales coloridos para llegar nuevamente al lado de su amiguito luego de perderse en la selva.
Esta fabulosa historia para niños de 2 a 6 años, con texto en rima, esta disponible en Amazon para descargar en cualquier computadora, iPad, iPhone. ¿Cuál será la próxima aventura de Emilio?

Emilio goes Wild is released in Spanish now. It is called “Emilio va de safari”. Emilio continues with his adventures, this time he goes to Africa with his friend James. There he gets lost in the jungle and meets lots of colorful animals who help him search for his friend.
This fabulous rhyming story for kids aged between 2 and 6 years old, and is available to download from Amazon and read on iPads, iPhones and computers. What will Emilio´s next adventure be?

Almacén Marabi

Mariela Marabi opened this beautiful shop in 2001 that makes extremely unique dolls. You can find any animals that you can imagine – dolls, puppets, key rings, human figures. They are just exquisite. So if you live in Barcelona or are travelling there, you should try to have the chance to visit this wonderful shop. I´m sure Emilio would make so many friends here!

For more information click here to see their website

Haceme un dibujito – Make a drawing

The team of Donde viven los libros (Where the books live) had an amazing idea. They created a website, called Haceme un Dibujito (make a drawing), a reference to what people normally say when you tell them that you’re an illustrator.

In this website, all the illustrators – Argentinian, South American, from any nationality really – can post their blogs and work there. It is great that there a place where you can see the work of so many talented people, and it is a nice community. I´m so lucky that they put my profile there as well.
They offer book services such as consulting for Children Literature to authors or book publishers, worth check it out.

The Museum of Childhood – London

The Museum of Childhood is an adorable option to take your kids. It is in London, near Bethnal Green Station.
Firstly it is free. Secondly you can find any imaginable toy there, the museum is 3 floors up and it is full of toys. It is like Paradise.
Theres a lot of interactive games for kids as well, great entertainment.

You can see almost everything with nostalgia, things that we used to play with when we were kids are there behind glass. Last time I discovered one little train that my mum gave me when I was a child with discs of music in the back, I almost cried. I really want to take my parents there. Loads of memories.
There are a lot of activities as well to participate in and catch the attention of the little ones, we know that sometimes it is a difficult task to achieve

What was your favourite toy when you were a kid?

Pio Pio Books recommends: “If you have a hat” by Gerald Hawksley

“If you have a hat” is a gorgeous e-book by Gerald Hawksley. This book is really really nice, the rhymes are lovely and the illustrations are fantastic. Get your copy for your iPhone, iPad or computer.

You can buy the ebook version in English here

You can find a printed version here as well.

Hamleys Toy Shop

If you were wondering what to do with the kids in a rainy day in London (and you know that it rains a lot in this city) Hamleys is a great option for the kids. Not only because it is a toy shop, but I think because it is THE TOY SHOP. You have 7 floors of fun, and the best bit, you can play with the toys. They always organize activities and new demonstration of new toys before you buy them. Usually the staff are all dressed-up. It is very easy to access and get there, it is located in Regent Street.
Rafi loves it (and me too)… and Emilio wants to live there!

This is the website for more information www.hamleys.com

“Emilio goes wild” is on Amazon!

We are very happy to announce that the English version of our new book ‘Emilio goes Wild’ is out today on the Amazon Kindle store! The Spanish version will also be released very soon.

Download it from Amazon.com / Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.de / Amazon.fr / Amazon.es / Amazon.it

Emilio is a very small toy who travels with James – his little boy – all over the world. Join Emilio and James on their first adventure in Africa. Emilio is left behind in the wild by accident – How will he find James? Meet all the animals that help him to find his little boy in this colourful tale of friendship.
Enjoy the fun pictures and rhyming text. “Emilio” is a picture book for children aged 1 to 6 years old. It will display in full color on iPads and iPhones, as well as your home computer or laptop by downloading the free Kindle software from Amazon.

Walking on the wild side

Emilio Goes Wild has been a walk on the wild side for me, revisiting memories of a safari I went on a few years ago.

After a few months in Malawi working with children in a small township, I couldn’t leave Africa without seeing some animals. Lions and elephants, zebra and hippos, monkeys and flamingos were my gift from the Serengeti. And all with their little ones – animal families.

Zipping around in a jeep that broke down twice a day, I did wonder what would happen if I got left behind. I’m sure only Emilio, being full of joy, could have had the experience we have given him.

With help and friendship from every animal he meets, little Emilio has the safari of a lifetime.

On Monday the next Emilio story is available to buy on Amazon – be the first to review it!

Emilio gets a four star review

Tiffany from The Indie Children’s Authors Connection Blog has written a lovely 4star review of the first Emilio book:

“A recent epicture book has caught my attention. Emilio by Silvina De Vita is a charming story about an ignored doll. Thoughts of the “Velvetine Rabbit” came to mind as this little rag doll is ignored by his owner. You want him to be loved. He tries everything, with adorable pictures to illustrate his plight. Finally, he is packed in a dark suitcase and travels to places that even the Travel Gnome would be jealous of.
This ebook seems like a great fit for young children 2-6 years old. It is also available in Spanish. It’s a great way to get children excited about travel, esp. if a toy is their favorite travel companion. Plus, it can be used to teach that travel can be fun, and that a special travel toy companion can bring security to a worried child.”

The blog is currently nominated for an Independent Book Blogger Award, so if you have a moment please do vote for them here