Picture Books and Family Stories
Introduction
Picture Books
Other Family Stories
Introduction
I love writing Picture Books, when I have an idea of the right size. It’s the closest I come to writing poetry, because the texts are short and every word has to count.
They are the hardest books to write, though, because you have to be able to tell the whole story in twelve “spreads”, which is what you call a double-page. That’s not much, if you think you have to introduce characters, set up a background, cause some sort of crisis to make the story happen and then resolve it.
I always want the story to end with a bang, usually with a page turn in order to have a punch line on the last page. See Henry’s Baby and An Angel Just Like Me among others.
The story for The Colour of Home was made up by me but based on the experiences of lots of asylum-seekers who became my friends. I spent a year working with asylum-seekers, women and children, in the London Borough of Barnet.
The Seven Wonders of The Ancient World was rather different. It’s not exactly non-fiction, but I couldn’t make too much up, because the purpose was to tell readers about the seven structures that the ancient Greeks thought were the most amazing in the known world. The only one left standing is the Great Pyramid in Egypt, so I started my thinking about this book by booking a week’s trip to that wonderful country.
Another picturebook that straddles the divide between fiction and non-fiction, but in a very different way is The Great Big Book of Familes, illustrated by Ros Asquith (2010). I couldn't believe this book didn't already exist before I wrote it! I had the idea for it many years ago but thought I could only do it if I could find an artist who felt the same way as I did about how families are shown in children’s books. I really wanted Ros Asquith but didn’t know how she would feel about it. Fortunately Ros understood straightaway what I wanted the book to do. It was a joy to work with her on it and to feel we understood each other. And it does seem to have filled a gap in many countries..
Because the other important thing about picture books is pictures! I have been lucky enough to work with some of the best illustrators – Caroline Binch, Jane Ray, Jan Ormerod, Jackie Morris, Chris Riddell, Karen Littlewood, Christina Balit, Cornelius van Wright, Ros Asquith – they have all been great.
As the writer, I have to remember to leave space for the illustrator, not only by not producing too many of them but by allowing full rein to the artist’s imagination, so that she can add her own contribution and distinctive style to the book.
I'm writing to let you know how much I like Amazing Grace and The Color of Home. As a psychologist who works extensively with children, I think they could be of real help to kids - in understanding issues of diversity and overcoming prejudice and in for kids are struggling to understand war and violence, respectively.
Jacqueline Golding, Ph.D, www.healing-stories.com
Most of my picture books are published by Frances Lincoln, who do lots of multi-cultural books you might be interested in. You can find out more about them on their website.
Picture Books
The most joyful and inclusive book of the year! A glorious, multicultural celebration of contemporary family life. Includes lesbian/gay parents, single parents, adopted/fostered children and people from different economic backgrounds. All wrapped up in delightful illustrations and great dollops of humour! |
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The Great Big Book of Families
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Other Family Stories
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