Trying not to sound tremendously self obsessed (but then, that is what a blog is), maybe some information about my background might explain my work as an illustrator/writer for children.
From a young age I’ve loved the idea of writing and drawing all day, producing beautiful books for kids. I sadly fell in love with reading adventure books like Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew. Looking back they weren’t the best written work in the world, and followed a strict structure every time, but the adventure and excitement just helped you to turn the pages and never get to sleep on time. (Similarly, I suspect, to page-turning Harry Potter).
However, my books and work is in complete opposition to those that I loved as a child…which possibly isn’t a good idea! I aim to make original picture books that are full of depth of meaning, however, I do always worry about how demanding this then is on the child reader. An American theorist on Children’s Literature which I have read intently (which has caused far more hindrance than help to my creative work!) is Perry Nodelman, who researches the difficulty of Children’s books – how they indoctrinate, to extent, young minds into society, therefore being very powerful objects. (His work entitles The Hidden Adult is compelling). This idea is terrifying to me as a writer and illustrator for children, especially when writing for vulnerable children at a very difficult, emotional and impressionable time in their lives. But I have come to the conclusion that with good intentions, and remaining sensitive to my audience as I work, hopefully my book will have more positive, than negative effects.
This website of his also looks readable...
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