Author & IllustratorHere is our little chat with Emily. What do you love most about books? I think what I love most about books is how diverse they can be. For a format that is so structured, it always amazes me just how different each book can be. I especially love picture books, because they rely on not just the structure, words and illustrations, but the child's imagination to interpret the story. Did you have a favourite childhood book? My favourite book as a child was John Vernon Lord’s Giant Jam Sandwich which is about a village invaded by wasps, and the plan the villagers come up to deal with the invasion. His illustrations, are so detailed and intricate that i used to pore over them for hours, and the text rhymes in a very satisfying way. Does it take long to complete a book? The time it takes to finish a book really depends on the book, and of course whatever else I am doing! My speediest book ( Orange Pear Apple Bear), I wrote as a student in 11 hours, the day before it needed to be handed in (it was a college project). I’ve never managed to replicate that, and it feels to me that I get slower and slower as time goes by! One of the slowest (The Rabbit Problem) took a year, which was quite apt considering it was based on the events of a whole year too. It was a complicated book, with a lot of different elements (flaps, pop-up) and hundreds of rabbits, that all needed to be in the right quantity, and traceable throughout the entire book. Are you friends with other authors? Yes I am. Authors and illustrators tend to bump into each other at various events, and we get talking. It’s nice to have other people to chat to about what is really quite a weird job when you think about it. We mostly work alone, often in our slippers, and mostly using our imaginations. There’s often no way of quantifying what you are doing, so having other people who are doing similar things to chat with can be great. Have you ever read a book before, that you didn't like? Of course! The beauty of books, is that there is a book out there for everyone, and just as we have different tastes in our lives, that extends to books too. There’s lots of books that I don’t like, but thats my personal opinion, and I’d rather shout about great books than be mean about a book that is probably just not to my taste. What inspires you to write? All sorts of things inspire me, but not frequently enough. I’m often stuck for ideas, and it’s a truly horrible feeling. There’s nothing nicer than when you are running with a lovely new idea. It’s completely absorbing. Do you have a favourite place to write? I tend to write in my studio, which is just a room in my house, but I have also written on trains, planes, in bed. anywhere is OK really. It’s more about being in the right state of mind. Unfortunately I’ve not quite worked out the formula for finding that state of mind yet. What comes to mind to you, when you think of reading as a child? Being snug. Being curled up with my mum and feeling safe and warm. I loved the books, but I also loved the feeling of closeness that reading brought. Do you have a big library of books for yourself? I have a wall of bookshelves in my studio that is stuffed with books, but I periodically have a clear out when I can’t physically stuff anymore in. Do you get time to yourself for reading a novel? I like to read before I go to sleep, so nothing too heavy. Any new up coming titles coming out soon, that we should be looking out for? Cyril and Pat will be publishing in paperback in May. Giveaway. One lucky reader will receive a copy of Emily Gravett's book, Cyril and Pat. What you need to do is comment on the post below and tell us if you have ever had an encounter with a squirrel before and what happened? Make sure you are following Instagram @emily_gravett Winner will be contact by me (Mel - Kids Books We Love) Giveaway closes on the 25th March 2019 Open to UK Residents only. Goodluck! Thanks Emily for taking the time to chat to us and answer some questions it been great. You can find more about Emily Gravett www.emilygravett.com Instagram @emily_gravett you find Emily Gravett's books at www.booktopia.com.au www.bookdepository.com www.amazon.co.uk www.panmacmillan.com www.amazon.com.au www.dymocks.com.au www.angusrobertson.com.au www.fishpond.com.au www.collinsbooks.com.au www.betterworldbooks.com www.wordery.com www.thenile.com.au
6 Comments
Quiana Dobson
8/3/2019 04:43:12 am
live where there is alot of squirrels. I was walking up the street, and the squirrel was in the grass. It looked like he wanted to go through the gate, and onto the tree. I stopped to let him pass, but he just was doing whatever he was doing. As I continued to walk, I see him hopon the fence, and leaped right in front of me on to the tree. Scared the crap out of me...lol! As I took a breath, to continue walking. I feel nuts falling from the tree. That squirrel lol
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Mel
8/3/2019 10:38:43 am
that would go given me a fright as well lol.
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9/3/2019 05:36:56 pm
We live near a big common, with lots of squirrels... my little one absolutely loves them and points out every single one he sees with the same amount of excitement as if it was the first one he’d ever seen. So cute
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Mel
9/3/2019 08:44:07 pm
Too Cute, thanks for Sharing and entering, Good luck!!
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