When did you first know that you wanted to be a children's author and illustrator?
I have always scribbled word and images. As an internal kind of child it quickly became my way of processing the world, but I didn't always know I wanted to pursue it as a career. First I grew a bit taller and got a bit older. I finished school; started university worked a lot and travelled even more. At university I studied occupational therapy, specialising as a children's counsellor, and it was working with these incredible children that lead me back to my writing. I was drawn to children's literature as a place where reality could be explored alongside wonder and magic, and for about 5 years now I've been addicted to writing and illustrating for young people.
As to why he is a rabbit, well that's a whole other story. Firstly my dad was British, so I spent chunks of my childhood in England visiting relatives. Memories of my time over there are quite dreamlike, almost as if I was wandering through some kind of storybook. The countryside was lush and green and home to the kind of tangly forests where adventures where sure to happen, full of wild animals (like snow-white rabbits) unfamiliar to me. It's no wonder to me that as a writer and illustrator for children, when I need to escape to the storytelling part of my mind this is where I go - back down the rabbit hole. I also grew up in quite an extraordinary house that was built into the side of a hill. It was a bit like a human rabbit warren, so I think this has helped me to sympathise with rabbits!
I have always scribbled word and images. As an internal kind of child it quickly became my way of processing the world, but I didn't always know I wanted to pursue it as a career. First I grew a bit taller and got a bit older. I finished school; started university worked a lot and travelled even more. At university I studied occupational therapy, specialising as a children's counsellor, and it was working with these incredible children that lead me back to my writing. I was drawn to children's literature as a place where reality could be explored alongside wonder and magic, and for about 5 years now I've been addicted to writing and illustrating for young people. What inspired you to create your picture book character Squish?
As writers we're often told: 'write what you know'. I believe what is actually meant by this phrase is to 'write to your emotional truths', or write to the feelings you know and understand. Looking back on my childhood, Squish Rabbit certainly captures my emotional truths. I recall vividly what it was like to feel small in a big world. I remember feeling like I had important things to say in a world where big people got listened to first. I felt a lot like Squish, and still do at times (even as an adult!).
As to why he is a rabbit, well that's a whole other story. Firstly my dad was British, so I spent chunks of my childhood in England visiting relatives. Memories of my time over there are quite dreamlike, almost as if I was wandering through some kind of storybook. The countryside was lush and green and home to the kind of tangly forests where adventures where sure to happen, full of wild animals (like snow-white rabbits) unfamiliar to me. It's no wonder to me that as a writer and illustrator for children, when I need to escape to the storytelling part of my mind this is where I go - back down the rabbit hole. I also grew up in quite an extraordinary house that was built into the side of a hill. It was a bit like a human rabbit warren, so I think this has helped me to sympathise with rabbits!
2 Comments on Interview with Children's Author/Illustrator Katherine Battersby, last added: 2/14/2012
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Lovely post, lovely interview and lovely lovely author and book Renee!
Katherine is gorgeous and I've really enjoyed getting to know her better through this interview.
I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Brave Squish when it comes out.