When I was in New York last spring, my editor Steve Meltzer raved about this Halloween counting book. When I saw Steve and Stephen at the book launch on Facebook I knew I wanted to interview this very talented illustrator/author.
Where did you get the idea for a Halloween Counting book?
My agent, Brenda Bowen, suggested it. The challenge was to make something more graphic and narrative than your average counting book. It was Brenda's idea to bring in 50's film noir, and I ran with it.
Who were your inspirations growing up as an artistic kid?
Alexander Calder was my hero. His museum retrospective "Calder's Universe" came to my hometown (Minneapolis) in 1976 and it blew my eleven-year-old mind. C'mon, the guy invented the mobile! I was really into graphic design, too. Classic mid-century logos such as those for PanAm airlines, Wonderbread and Kodak still get me excited.
Name a few of your favorite Kidlit books.
Some old favorites: HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON by Crocket Johnson, THE STORY OF BABAR by Jean de Brunhoff and GO, DOG, GO by P.D. Eastman.
Some new favorites: LEAVES by David Ezra Stein, EMILY'S BALLOON by Komako Sakai and ME…JANE by Patrick McDonnell.
What advice would you give illustrator/authors who want to be traditionally published in Kidlit?
I think it's important to master your craft before you try and jump into the big bad publishing world. That means making lots of pictures/writing lots of stories and getting feedback and guidance on the work from teachers and colleagues. It takes years to learn the art of storytelling. I love the example of the late great Maurice Sendak. He illustrated dozens of books before he illustrated (and wrote) his first published book, Where the Wild Things Are.
What is your favorite dessert and why?
Strawberry Rhubarb pie. It's that combination of sweet and tart.
Comments