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Rosemary Wells
Biography
Rosemary Wells, who began her career as a book designer for a large publishing company, has been writing and illustrating for more than 30 years. Featured in her more than 60 books are such characters as Max and Ruby and Noisy Nora. Her most recent books are Max's ABCs (Viking, 2006) and Red Moon at Sharpsburg (Viking, 2007). The recipient of many awards and citations for her books; she spearheaded a national campaign for early literacy called "Read to Your Bunny - the Most Important Twenty Minutes of Your Day." She lives in Greenwich, Connecticut.
The Scoop
1. How did you begin to write your latest work The Gulps? What sparked your imagination?
I was having dinner with my friend, Marc Brown. We started talking about doing a book together. We were enjoying a really good meal with excellent salad and vegetables, and we started talking about how many people don't really appreciate good vegetables and simple non-fast food cooking. One thing led to another!
2. What challenges do you face in your writing and drawing process? How do you overcome them? Do you find one more difficult than the other (writing vs. drawing)?
This depends entirely on the project. I am probably a better natural writer than artist. Sometimes I write the text first. Other times I illustrate it first. Every book is different.
3. What tips or advice can you share with young students who hope to start writing?
The old adage, write about what you know, is a good one. Also, write about your interests. Make it interesting to your reader. Capture your reader in the first 300 words, and you have him for the whole story length. Lose her in the first 300 words, and she will close the story unread.
4. Why do you use animal characters rather than humans? How did you decide to use bunnies specifically?
Animals can do much that human characters cannot do in illustration. They can play rough and be funny and be touching in ways that the same picture using children might be too edgy or sentimental. Animals also blessedly leave the adult agenda of ethnic origins behind. They are simply kid substitutes without regard to color or national origin.
Book Covers
Max's ABC |
Red Moon |
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Last Updated: 08/26/2008