Life Is What It's Called - What was your inspiration for The Monster Twins?
The Monster Twins started as more of an idea than an inspiration. We
wanted a family project that could bring together our interests and abilities
in creative writing, design, and illustration. A children's book was a logical
idea.
From
there, though, the book advanced based on a variety of inspirations. Ella has
been creating monster pictures since she was five or six years old (she is 19
now); as she has grown up, she added a deep interest in drawing architectural
features and icons. These two elements became a focal point for the book.
Karen
has been stretching her creative muscles for many years. Having trained at
London College of Fashion and Central St Martins, Karen has channeled her
creativity into numerous areas over the years, including her own line of
high-fashion scarves (karenhanvik.com) and a successful career as a digital
marketing consultant. She is inspired by her passion for travel, as am I. This
shared passion made the element of multiple locations for the setting of the
book another logical decision.
Regarding
the copy, it started as a much longer manuscript designed to introduce many
concepts and images that could inspire the book's design. Gradually, the words
were pared down to allow the design and illustration to carry much of Bella and
Bertie's story.
Finally,
subconsciously at first, then consciously, the story's emotional elements were
inspired by current events. The Monster Twins features a
number of conflicting emotions, such as sadness and joy, separation and
togetherness, loss, and gain. This mirrors the current state of so much of the
world, with division being such a common theme across geographies, political
leanings, and personal ideologies. We wanted to share a book that focused only
on overcoming those divisions and finding happiness together… in such a way
that makes a positive difference for others.
Life Is What It's Called - What do you hope kids will gain from reading it? And why should parents want
their kids to read this book?
During
our research as we developed The Monster Twins, we were
pleasantly surprised about the quite wide age range of children who enjoyed the
book. Kids as young as three or four simply enjoyed the big, bold, colorful
pictures and some funny bits. Children up to 11 or 12 enjoyed the look and feel
of the book, but seemed to really spark to the idea of thinking about what the
story really means… giving them a chance to create their interpretation of it.
No matter what the age, though, we want young listeners and readers to like
Bella and Bertie – and their extended family! – as people who overcome
challenges and strive to help others… and have some fun at the same time.
As
for the parents, we hope the book is a joy to read every time to their
children, letting them use their imaginations and apply their own
interpretations. We also hope it might inspire them to talk to their children
about the concepts they take away from the story. Finally, we hope it will
spark an interest in the locations featured in the book and nudge them to learn
more with their children. (We have created a new format for The Monster Twins,
available at monstertwins.com, that is interactive and does not require an e-reader;
it features bonus materials on every page of the book, including fun facts
about the locations, downloadable coloring pages, and activities.)
Life Is What It's Called - Do you each have a favorite part of the book that you'd like to share?
Ella:
My favorite pages are those where Bella and Bertie are on the same page doing
different – but related – things, like where they're climbing in different
locations, or in their separate beds in London and Singapore. Also, because of
my interest in architecture, I think it's great to share with kids my view of
such amazing buildings from around the world.
Karen:
The mobile phone page spread always makes me smile as it's where Bella and
Bertie and the families find each other, thanks to social media, mobile phones,
and the internet! I also love the 'hot spots' in the interactive online version
of the book we created for our website. And it makes me happy and proud to hear
the comments from people that the pictures surprise them in a fun way. We
worked hard to include unusual details that kids and parents would enjoy.
Robert:
I like all the icons in London and Singapore, as they bring back memories of
our travels together. But I think my favorite bits are the smaller touches, like
Baby Bella's Smellies branded diaper and the 'monster accessible' school bus.
My favorite spread is the one that reveals that Bella and Bertie are monsters
because the reference to short arms and selfies makes me smile.
Life Is What It's Called - Can you share a highlight from the process of creating The Monster
Twins?
I
think the overall highlight has been just being able to share such an ambitious
project as a family. In addition to Ella, Karen, and myself, other family
members have helped in many behind-the-scenes ways. You can learn more about
how we created The Monster Twins by visiting the 'Making of' page on our website, which provides an overview of how
the book was drawn, together with early pictures of the character
development.
The
other thing that has been a real highlight is the multitude of reactions and
interpretations we have received from everyone who has been exposed to the
book. To us, that's a sign of a great book, one that engages people in ways
that are meaningful to each individual.
Life Is What It's Called - Are there more books featuring the monsters in your future?
Yes!
We already have drafted manuscripts for two more books, which will take Bella
and Bertie and their family to other parts of the world, including the United
States. We have roughly sketched out more stories but thought we should not get
too far ahead of ourselves.
Life Is What It's Called - Robert, since you have experience in writing journalism, and, Karen, you have
experience in marketing, can you tell us if these said careers are harder or
easier than writing for children? How have your backgrounds helped you write
this book?
Robert:
I feel fortunate in that writing has always come easily to me. I think
journalistic writing is more natural for me, especially having done it for so
long, in that it is quite logical and straightforward. Creative writing can be
challenging because linear thinking is not always best. Plus, I have to
constantly remind myself that I'm not writing the book for myself; I have to
think about those who I want to enjoy it. I do feel that my approach to writing
has helped us think through things in the book. By 'over-writing' as I tend to
do, I cover many things that are much better drawn and brought to life by
design.
Karen:
Writing and illustrating books for children is certainly more fun! Besides the
learning curve of stretching myself to 're-learn' how to draw and design again
after a number of years, it has been a fantastic experience and given me ideas
for new characters and stories. Having had five children (now all adults) and
remembering the pleasure of reading endless books to and with them, also
definitely helped make the book better and added to my enjoyment of creating
it.
Life Is What It's Called - What's one fun thing about you that readers should know?
Ella:
Some of the architectural drawings I submitted as part of my school homework
were so precise that my teachers mistakenly thought I had traced them from a
book.
Karen:
At age 15, I was asked to fill a gap in my school's sports day and throw the
discus for the very first time. Randomly, it turned out I was a natural and,
after lots and lots of practice, I ended up training with the Team Great
Britain, the national Olympic track and field team!
Robert:
I hold a record that will never be broken: longest baby to be delivered at the
hospital where I was born – 24 inches. (I know the record will always stand
because the hospital closed shortly after I was born!)
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Monster Twins and a Visa gift card!
Giveaway begins July 20, 2020, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends August 20, 2020, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
This post is in partnership with The Children's Book Review. All opinions are my own. The giveaway is run by The Children's Book Review.
A Congolese man runs from a terrible accident and finds himself at a revolutionary camp, where he is told that he has a great destiny. He tries to escape and start a new life by going to another town, joining a new religion, and becoming a missionary. Ultimately, though, he finds himself back in the very place he had tried to leave. He must face his fears and his shame—but also his magnificent possibilities. Heart of Africa is the first full-length, faith-based film to come out of the nascent Democratic Republic of Congo film movement. After decades of colonial oppression and civil war, the country's scars run deep. Cinema is emerging as a cathartic new medium, and director Tshoper Kabambi is a leader of a new kind of revolution: one driven by stories that he hopes will heal the hearts of his people and the DR Congo.
