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| Credit: Rob King |
I have two budgies and a canary.
2. Do you have a nickname?
I have a few nicknames; Lyds, Monksey, Mumsey Pops and Midge. No one really calls me Lydia!
3. What is your greatest fear?
I’m a bit scared of spiders falling on me!
4. Can you describe your writing and illustrating style for us in ten words?
A unique, characterful, bright, bold, funny mix of painting, collage and drawing.
5. What are five positive words that describe you as a writer and an illustrator?
I hope I'm enthusiastic, diligent, professional, friendly… and I'm definitely busy!
NB Illustrator’s Note – I had help from my Art Director and Editor with Q4 and Q5 as it’s far too cringey to answer questions like this about yourself!
NB Publisher’s Note – we had no problem though!
6. What book character would you most like to be, and why?
If I could be any character it would be Pippi Longstocking, as she wasn’t scared of anything, not even spiders falling on her! And she had a pet monkey and a horse.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
If I could time travel, I would go back to Tudor times and visit King Henry’s court. I would love to see all the shenanigans that went on there!
8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
My ten-year-old self would probably ask me to draw a horse.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
My greatest influence has probably been my mum. I always wanted to make her proud.
10. What or who inspired you to start writing and illustrating children’s books?
When I left art college, I wanted to make books like Sarah Fanelli and Bruce Ingman. I wanted to be like them. I still do!
11. Do you have a favourite word and if so, can you tell us why?
My favourite word is ‘Mummy’, but having said that I have a love/hate relationship with it!
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It’s so tricky to choose just one book, but I would probably pick Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. That would keep me going for a while!
Lydia Monks is a best-selling UK illustrator and author. Her books include The Singing Mermaid, Aaaarrgghh Spider!, The Bear and the Bees, and What the Ladybird Heard. Her latest book, What the Ladybird Heard Next, is written by Julia Donaldson and published by Macmillan. Visit Lydia's website for more information about her books and creative projects.
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