{"id":1621,"date":"2009-04-02T00:01:16","date_gmt":"2009-04-02T06:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1621"},"modified":"2009-04-02T00:02:01","modified_gmt":"2009-04-02T06:02:01","slug":"seven-questions-over-breakfast-with-harry-bliss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1621","title":{"rendered":"Seven Questions Over Breakfast with Harry Bliss"},"content":{"rendered":"

Harry Bliss<\/strong><\/a> hardly needs an introduction to parents and the teachers and librarians of elementary-aged children. His first illustrated title, A Fine, Fine School<\/strong><\/em><\/a>, written by Sharon Creech<\/strong><\/a> and published by HarperCollins in 2001, became a New York Times<\/em> bestseller, and he has gone on to illustrate many other best-selling titles, including the popular Diary of a Worm<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (2003), Diary of a Spider<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (2005), and Diary of a Fly<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (2007), all written by Doreen Cronin<\/strong><\/a>. His most recent illustrated title was last year’s Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken<\/strong><\/em><\/a>, written by Kate DiCamillo<\/strong><\/a>, the tale of an intrepid chicken, longing for adventure, who leaves her comfortable nest and goes to sea. Harry’s forthcoming title—as in, on shelves this month—is Luke on the Loose<\/strong><\/a><\/em>, a TOON Book<\/strong><\/a> from Raw Junior, which Harry both wrote and illustrated. <\/p>\n

But many people will also recognize Harry’s cartoon work: He is a cartoonist and cover artist for The New Yorker<\/em>. In fact, his collection of New Yorker<\/em> covers can be viewed at his web site<\/strong><\/a>, as well as many cartoons and peeks into his illustrated children’s titles. Harry also signed on with Tribune Media Services to create a self-titled strip, featuring his single-panel gag cartoons, Bliss<\/em>. (The Los Angeles Times<\/em>, the Boston Globe<\/em>, and the Chicago Tribune<\/em> are a few of the newspapers which run it.) The Bliss<\/em> collection can also be seen at Harry’s site. <\/p>\n

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Let’s get the basics from Harry while we set the table for our breakfast chat. Harry prefers OJ, coffee, and a sesame bagel with lox and cream cheese,<\/font> so I’ll bring along my mug, too. We’ll also get a sneak peek into his latest title, Luke on the Loose<\/strong><\/a><\/em>, below.<\/p>\n

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7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Can you list your books-to-date?<\/font><\/p>\n

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Harry<\/font><\/strong>: Luke on the Loose<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (April 2009, my first author\/illustrator comic book); Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken<\/strong><\/em><\/a>; Diary of a Fly<\/strong><\/em><\/a>; Diary of a Spider<\/strong><\/em><\/a>; Diary of a Worm<\/strong><\/em><\/a>; Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth<\/em><\/strong><\/a>; Countdown to Kindergarten<\/strong><\/em><\/a>; Don\u2019t Forget to Come Back!<\/strong><\/em><\/a>; Which Would You Rather Be?<\/strong><\/em><\/a>; A Very Brave Witch<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Spread from <\/em>Luke on the Loose<\/strong><\/a> (TOON Books, 2009);
\n<\/em>Click on the image itself to see it in more detail.<\/center><\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What is your usual medium, or -\u2013 if you use a variety -\u2013 your preferred one?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Harry<\/font><\/strong>: My medium is black ink and watercolor.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: 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? <\/font> <\/p>\n

Harry<\/font><\/strong> (pictured here with Penny)<\/em>: My books are for children ages 4-8, but adults dig them as well.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Where are your stompin\u2019 grounds?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Harry<\/font><\/strong>: I live in Burlington, Vermont -\u2013 the smartest little city in America. I play a lot of hockey and make soup.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Can you briefly tell us about your road to publication?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Harry<\/font><\/strong>: I began illustrating book covers, moved into working for The New Yorker<\/em>, and shortly thereafter, William Steig<\/strong><\/a> \u2018turned me on\u2019 to Holly McGhee -\u2013 the best children\u2019s book agent in the world.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Can you please point us to your web site and\/or blog?<\/font><\/p>\n

Harry<\/font><\/strong>: <\/p>\n