A highly illustrated interview with debut picture book creator Linda Sarah

Today I’m bringing you an illustrated interview with a debut picture book illustrator. Linda Sarah‘s Mi and Museum City publishes next week (you can read my review of this fabulous book here) and by way of celebration I asked Linda a few questions about her work and interests. To my utter delight she chose to respond to my questions in her own unique way: with illustrations!

The nature of this interview means it is really worth enjoying on a computer monitor or at least a tablet (but not a phone screen) – you’ll want to be able to read and look at Linda’s illustrated answers in detail, especially because her style is indeed full of small elements and intricate components. To make the most of each of Linda’s responses, please click on each illustration so you can see it at full size. Depending on your computer settings the illustrations will open in a new window or tab, and may need to be clicked again to bring them up to full size.

Here we go!

Linda kicked off with this introduction:

Playing by the book: Thankyou, Sarah, I’m very well indeed! And what a pleasure it is to interview you on Playing by the book.

Mi and Museum City is your debut picture book, but it clearly hasn’t popped out of thin air. Can you share a little of your travels (metaphorical and real) which have ended up with you on the brink of being able to walk into a bookshop and see a book with your name on it?

Playing by the book: Ooh, an illustrated museum guide would have been fun too – but I’m very glad the Picture Book Fairy suggested a story!

I deliberately asked about travelling in the last question. Mi and Museum City has a great map, and city spreads, your twitter id is @travelandsing, and so I’m wondering about the role of travelling, maps and exploration more widely in your life – I’m guessing it’s something you love?

Playing by the book: I love your definition of home… and it’s very interesting to see that you were a singer, as I wanted to ask about music. I love the fact that in Mi and Museum City, the two lead characters make music together and that really cements their friendship; music is a catalyst. What role does music play in your life?

Playing by the book: Now I think I know why I was so drawn to your work, Linda – you play the accordion! (I’m a beginner accordion player with big dreams!)

What were your favourite books as a child? And which books do you think most influence you now as an author/illustrator?

Playing by the book: Great to see Barroux including in the mix – I’ve got a review of his latest book coming soon to Playing by the book

What are you working on now?

Playing by the book: Well, thank YOU, Linda! What amazing answers! I’m really looking forward to seeing more of your work.

Don’t forget you can find out more about Linda’s book, Mi and Museum City here. You can read Linda’s blog here, and find her on twitter here. If you like the look of Sarah’s work, you might enjoy perusing her Etsy Shop.