Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

I love that author/illustrator David McPhail describes himself as a misanthrope. Not only because statements like that from people who create books for children help eradicate this notion that all of them—or anyone else working near or around children, for that matter—live in little pink bubbles, surrounded by severely cute and insanely fluffy bunnies. (Seriously, the average 7-Imp reader knows they don’t, but I think that notion still prevails with the general public.) But also because of the element of surprise that resides in that statement: McPhail’s work is often infused with a sweet affection, sensitivity, and warmth and often revolves around the themes of friendship, cooperation, and familial relationships — often, but not always, animal characters, for which he is probably best-known. Not that misanthropes can’t appreciate cooperation, mind you. I guess I’m just saying: I flippin’ love it when someone surprises you.

McPhail’s illustrations are often marked by soft shading; bucolic spreads; a dreamy, gentle light (it seemed fitting to read in his interview responses that he’s a Rembrandt fan); and a certain delicacy. (Not that he doesn’t sometimes flirt with Slightly Edgy and Dark.) Whether he’s using pen-and-ink, cross-hatching, watercolors, or another medium, McPhail—who has been illustrating children’s books since 1972—charms. And he’s not one to overwhelm with his palette. He charms with a subtleness—a muted, often pastel-y one (I just made up that adjective)—that lingers in the reader’s mind.

So, yes, I’m a fan, so David’s here—misanthropism be damned—for seven questions over breakfast. He’s going to have his usual: “Oatmeal (with fruit, maple syrup, butter, and cream), followed by English Breakfast tea and home-made bread, toasted.” As always, I’ve got the coffee. Strong, strong coffee.

Let’s get the basics from David while we set our table for our breakfast chat…

7-Imp: Are you an illustrator or author/illustrator?

David: Yes.

7-Imp: Can you list your books-to-date?

David:

{Five most recent illustrated titles} —
• Water Boy
• No!
• Budgie and Boo
• Mole Music
• The Teddy Bear

7-Imp: What is your usual medium, or -– if you use a variety -– your preferred one?

David: Pen-and-ink is my favorite.

7-Imp: If you have illustrated for various age ranges (such as, both picture books and early reader books OR, say, picture books and chapter books), can you briefly discuss the differences, if any, in illustrating for one age group to another?

David: For me, pictures tell a parallel story, especially in picture books…I draw for me. I do it for my own entertainment. If it pleases someone else (especially someone willing to PAY for it), lovely.

7-Imp: Where are your stompin’ grounds?

David: I live along New Hampshire’s seacoast.

7-Imp: Can you briefly tell us about your road to publication?

David: Went to art school. My work was “discovered” by a textbook editor, {and I} sold her some drawings. Much time went by. Sold more drawings. Not-quite-so-much-time went by. Sold MORE drawings. Time passed. Later on, {I was discovered} by a trade-book editor.

7-Imp: If you do school visits, tell us what they’re like.

David: In my (relative) “youth,” I often visited schools. It was always a “trip,” I believe is the word…Loved the kids. Loved the teachers. Stopped. Would rather just draw now.

7-Imp: If you teach illustration, by chance, tell us how that influences your work as an illustrator.

David: No, I don’t teach. I feel (not immodestly) that everything I know could be shared in a half-hour — or less.

7-Imp: Any new titles/projects you might be working on now that you can tell us about?

David: Always working on something new. Can’t wait to start work on a book about a dear friend’s dog. Was hoping to get it done and read it to the dog, but dammit, he died! Truffle was his name. I called him “The Truffle Man.”

Our table’s set. Time for our breakfast chat. I thank David for stopping by, and let’s keep at it…

1. 7-Imp: What exactly is your process when you are illustrating a book? You can start wherever you’d like when answering: getting initial ideas, starting to illustrate, or even what it’s like under deadline, etc. Do you outline a great deal of the book before you illustrate or just let your muse lead you on and see where you end up?

David: I go to my favorite coffee shop, get some coffee, sit at my favorite table, {and} wait for an idea to come along. Sometimes I sit there for a loooooooong time. When I finally DO get a flash of inspiration, I start writing it down, as fast as it reveals itself. Then I make some scribbly sketches, as I try to make the characters “reveal” themselves. (If I could clearly see them in my mind, I’d have no reason to draw them.) Then I write the story over, trying to clean it up a bit. After that, I break the text into pages. Next, I do “thumbnail” sketches — then larger and more elaborate ones. Finally, the finished art. It’s all fairly straightforward and simple.

Many, if not MOST, of my stories are written in an hour or two. Of course, MUCH revision usually follows — with active participation by an editor.

2. 7-Imp: Describe your studio or usual work space for us.

David: My “studio,” or “office,” is a room in my house, though I don’t really need an entire room (except for all of the junk I accumulate).

3. 7-Imp: As book lovers, it interests us: What books or authors and/or illustrators influenced you as an early reader?

David: Robert McCloskey’s Make Way For Ducklings was the earliest influence (the first book I ever “read.” I was two). Later, it was Maurice Sendak’s work. During my art school years, Rembrandt was my favorite.

4. 7-Imp: If you could have three (living) illustrators—whom you have not yet met—over for coffee or a glass of rich, red wine, whom would you choose?

David: Hmmm…Is Garth Williams still alive? Mercer Mayer would probably be included. Tomi Ungerer.

5. 7-Imp: What is currently in rotation on your iPod or loaded in your CD player? Do you listen to music while you create books?

David: On WHAT? I have a 33-and-a-third turntable and an extensive record collection. Most of which is lost. (I’ve moved a lot.) Rufus Wainwright is playing now. Brahms’ First Symphony gets played a lot, but it always brings tears, so I have to take a break after listening to it.

6. 7-Imp: What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?

David: That I’m a misanthrope perhaps?

7. 7-Imp: Is there something you wish interviewers would ask you — but never do? Feel free to ask and respond here.

David: Kids are the best interviewers—fourth graders, especially—and there is not much they haven’t asked me over the years…

7-Imp: What is your favorite word?

David: Let’s see…”Persevere” is up there, as is (thanks to Beatrix Potter) “implored.”

7-Imp: What is your least favorite word?

David: “Can’t.”

7-Imp: What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

David: You mean, BESIDES Brahms First?

7-Imp: What turns you off?

David: TV “reality” shows. (No, wait! It’s ME that turns THEM off!)

7-Imp: What is your favorite curse word? (optional)

David: “Hot Damn!” (Sorry. Two words…)

7-Imp: What sound or noise do you love?

David: Birds in the morning, as I eat my oatmeal.

7-Imp: What sound or noise do you hate?

David: Just about anything (except Brahms First).

7-Imp: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

David: I always wanted to be a musician.

7-Imp: What profession would you not like to do?

David: Anything where a “boss” is involved.

7-Imp: If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

David: “Not YOU! The OTHER David McPhail!”

WHEN I WAS KING © 2008 Linda Ashman, illustrations © 2008 David McPhail. Published by HarperCollins, New York. Images used with permission of publisher. All rights reserved.

BUDGIE & BOO © 2009 David McPhail. Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, New York. Images used with permission of publisher. All rights reserved.