I got suspended at school for publishing a funny magazine that made fun of the teachers.
2. What is your nickname?
I have a few but “Grandpa Pete” and “Papa Bear” win.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Running out of fuel. Both in my car and in my mind.
4. Describe your drawing style in ten words.
Energetic, happy, loose lined, smiley funny, logical, considered and original.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as an illustrator.
Optimistic, zany, professional, dedicated and fun loving.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Robinson Crusoe with electricity. So that I could draw everyday without too many interruptions.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
Easy. Back to the late 50’s. Life was so much simpler then.
8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
Don’t tell the headmaster that you spiked the copper irrigation pipe with the cricket wicket.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
Harvey Kurtzman, Ronald Searle and my brain.
10. What/who made you start writing?
I discovered MAD magazine and realized all the things you could do with a sense of humour.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
MAD, because it has lots of wonderful connotations, and connections with how I think and would have been classified in the days of early psychiatry.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Concise Oxford Dictionary. One word a day.
Peter's latest books are four titles in a fun chant and rhyme series, published by Alicat Publishing and available now at all good bookstores.
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