Book Club @clara_vulliamy
@claravulliamy
As we’re always saying, here at Families, we love nothing more than a good book and, sharing stories with our children has become an important part of family life. This month, Rachel Bailey talks to Clara Vulliamy about following in Shirley Hughes’ footsteps and her new series Marshmallow Pie the Cat Superstar, which published last summer. The latest book in the series, Marshmallow Pie the Cat Superstar in Hollywood, is out this month and to celebrate, Families have two sets of all three books up for grabs! As Shirley Hughes’ daughter you must’ve grown up with books. Did you always know that you wanted to be a writer/illustrator yourself? With hindsight I don’t think it was ever in doubt. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree as they say! But my mum didn’t put any pressure on me, or even suggest it, she stepped back and left me to find my own way. I always loved to read and to make up stories, and above all to paint and draw. At the end of the day she would leave her paints out on the kitchen table for me to use up; she said it was like scraping the last bits of icing from the bowl after baking. Perhaps the most important thing was for me to see that it could be a career, not just a hobby. Alongside bringing up three children she always worked, and was always very professional and committed. What was it like working together on your Dixie O’ Day series? It was a fantastic experience. The first – and only – time the great Shirley Hughes has handed over the role of illustrating one of her books to someone else, what an honour! We sat at that same kitchen table in the family home, bouncing ideas around and dreaming up stories. Once we had decided that the Dixie series would be Wacky Races meets Morecambe and Wise BUT DOGS, the rest was plain sailing. The Marshmallow Pie series published last August. Did you always plan to write the 3rd book so quickly or did you find you had more time to write during Lockdown? Working in lockdown has been unlike anything else I have ever experienced. I have certainly had more time, as there is nothing else to do and nowhere to go…
so what could be more fun than jumping on a plane and heading to the glamour and bright lights of Hollywood – even if only in my imagination! Pie has a huge personality and a very distinctive voice – I know him so well now, and love to see the world through his eyes. When I talk to children about writing their own stories, I often recommend trying the ‘first person’ or ‘own voice’ narrative: it’s such a good way to immediately get inside the head of your main character. What comes first, the illustrations or the story? I hope this isn’t cheating, but the truthful answer is: an illustration, then the story, then the illustrations. I always start with a drawing, a character sketch of my main character or characters (in this case, Pie and his owner Amelia). I’m a very visual person, so to get to know them I need to really see them on the page. Then I write the story, and my editor helps me to make it the very best it can be. Only when every word is perfect do I move on to the illustrations. Do you have a favourite author/ illustrator you’d love to collaborate with? I would love to collaborate with an author from a community or group who are under-represented in the world of children’s publishing. We need new voices and for children of all races and backgrounds to see themselves in books. And things are changing at last, these are exciting times.
You’ve said you like writing lists. I love a list! Usually scribbled on scraps of paper. Do you have lots of scribbled ideas and abandoned lists, or is your work space very neat and tidy? I’m afraid my work space is chaotically UNTIDY. I am obsessed with lists (not least because if I don’t write something down I instantly forget it). But I also like lists for fun. The other day I made a list of all the different ways to eat a potato in order of favourite to least favourite. Roasted, chips and mash at the top, watery over-boiled at the bottom. Who would guess I’m not getting out much these days! January is a time to make resolutions and changes for the year ahead. Is there anything you’re going to do differently this year? This year has been so tough for everybody, and I am really full of admiration for the way everyone has kept going. So I think that none of us should be making resolutions that are difficult to keep. Make more lists perhaps, or eat more cake? A list of favourite cakes might be fun… Marshmallow Pie the Cat Superstar in Hollywood is available now priced £6.99. www.claras.me
WIN
Families have two sets of the Marshmallow Pie books to give away to two lucky readers. For your chance to win, all you have to do is answer the question below and email your answer to competitions@familiestveast.co.uk What is Marshmallow Pie? A: A Sweet treat B: A Cat C: A Dog Closing date for entries is 28 Feb 2021 20
Maidenhead Windsor Marlow Ascot Slough Egham
familiesonline.co.uk
