{"id":1790,"date":"2009-09-15T00:01:24","date_gmt":"2009-09-15T06:01:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1790"},"modified":"2009-09-15T08:27:39","modified_gmt":"2009-09-15T14:27:39","slug":"seven-questions-over-breakfast-with-matt-phelan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1790","title":{"rendered":"Seven Questions Over Breakfast with Matt Phelan"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Last year, I started this seven-questions-over-breakfast author\/illustrator interview series, all because there were a handful of new illustrators, in particular, with whom I really wanted to chat, whose careers I was following with interest, and whose art I was hankerin’ to showcase. Matt Phelan<\/strong><\/a> was one of those folks. And it’s taken me this long to feature him here, but I finally have. I welcome him for a cyber-breakfast; Matt says he’ll take “your classic eggs (style depending on whim), bacon, toast (with home-made jam), and home fries. And strong coffee, please.<\/font> Of course, I don\u2019t have this every day… except for the coffee. That is non-negotiable.”<\/em> Why, here’s a coffee-drinker after my own heart. Strong and MUST-HAVE: The two ways I like coffee best. And the rest of his breakfast is nothing to sneeze at either. He might have to come over more often. <\/p>\n

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Though I’ve wanted to invite him over for a while, there’s no better time than now. Matt has illustrated a handful of picture books, since embarking on full-time children’s book illustrating in 2004 (which is “as much fun as it sounds,” he writes at his site)—as well as the Newbery-Award-winning novel, The Higher Power of Lucky<\/strong><\/em><\/a>, in 2006—but his newest venture is a graphic novel he wrote and illustrated himself, The Storm in the Barn<\/strong><\/em><\/a>, released by Candlewick this month. School Library Journal<\/em> calls it a “complex but accessible and fascinating book,”<\/em> and Kirkus<\/em> says it’s “not to be missed,”<\/em> adding “{a}uthor\/illustrator Phelan’s first graphic tale is part historical mystery, part fantasy thriller. The pencil-and-watercolor panels are cinematically framed and often wordless, advancing the plot and delineating character with careful strokes.”<\/em> It tells the story of eleven-year-old Jack Clark, living on his family’s farm in Kansas in 1937. There’s a terrible drought; Jack’s sister, Dorothy, is terribly ill; and Jack is consistently harrassed by bullies. Feeling generally useless to his family, he sees a terrifying apparition with a face like rain in a nearby abandoned barn, only to be told he is suffering from Dust Dementia. Jack must find the strength to defeat this phantom, and…well, that’s all I’ll say. I don’t want to give too much away. <\/p>\n

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But I will say that the book is gripping and quite unlike anything else I’ve seen this year. Phelan brings us a tale that is part thriller, part historical fiction, and part homage to the wonderful Jack tales and L. Frank Baum’s Oz<\/em> tales. It’s spare and beautiful, and the art is emotionally-compelling. Matt mentions below the “strain of melancholia” in his work, one of the things that draws me to it, and it’s never more apparent than in this title. Yet, it is also a triumph of hope and, ultimately, familial affection. “With delicacy and style, Phelan draws readers into another time and place and brings to life a story that is like no other you can find anywhere else,”<\/em> wrote Betsy Bird<\/a><\/strong> in August. “{H}e can bring into sharp focus an image with an almost cinematic sense.”<\/em><\/p>\n

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A preliminary drawing of Jack<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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I also realize, having formatted this interview, that there are many picture book titles he illustrated previously that I haven’t even seen<\/em> yet. On that note, I need to be off to get copies and fix this problem, because it’s kind of a travesty, folks. But, first, let’s sit down and have a chat with him. I thank him, in particular, for sharing all the art work — especially the sneak-peek at the new Jeanne-Birdsall<\/strong><\/a> picture book. Woo and hoo!<\/p>\n

Note: Absolutely do not miss Kelly Fineman’s recent sit-down interview in Philadelphia with Matt. It’s here<\/strong><\/a>. They discussed his newest title in depth, as well as Matt’s very good reason for loving the ukulele as much as he does.<\/em> <\/p>\n

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7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Are you an illustrator or author\/illustrator?<\/font><\/p>\n

Matt<\/font><\/strong>: Newly minted author\/illustrator, but I still answer to “illustrator” if you see me on the street.<\/p>\n


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Spot illustration from <\/em> The Higher Power of Lucky<\/strong><\/a> by Susan Patron<\/strong><\/a>
(Atheneum, 2006)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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

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