Perhaps you have read the wildly popular Z is for Moose. Or maybe you know Caldecott award-winning Paul O. Zelinsky from some of his other beautifully illustrated books.
However you know him, we think he's great and were happy to hear his answers to our questions as this week's ILLUSTRATOR of the WEEK!
Plus, be sure to check out an interesting graphic following the interview, a copy of some of the drawings Paul supplied to us during the fine-tuning of the doll. Paul provided us with fabulous input and specific direction in making sure the doll lived up to the bold personality of Moose from Z is for Moose. We are all quite happy with the end result!
Do you think being an illustrator of children's books helps keep you young at heart?
I hope it does, but I really think that it was a failure to grow up completely (heart and head) that led me to illustrating children's books, and it's still the case.
Kids, librarians and teachers think you’re swell. [Funny, that's exactly what I think of teachers, librarians, and kids! -Paul] Do you have any tips for kids who love to draw?
To kids who love to draw:
Draw!
Try out different art supplies.
If you read a book or hear a story with no pictures, how about making a drawing of a scene from it?
Draw things that don't make sense. If you like to draw airplanes and not people, draw people with wings and jet engines. If you like to draw people and not dinosaurs, draw dinosaurs wearing the clothes you have on. Whatever you're thinking of, think of something else.
Try not to draw in your actual books, except maybe your notebooks. Don't draw in library books.
...and for teachers and librarians who love to see them read?
To teachers and librarians who love to see kids read:
Thank you thank you thank you! You are bridge-builders. Without you, the kids and the right books would not connect.
I don't have tips for you, except for the tipping of my hat.
What makes you happy? Any advice about living life with a bang?
I'm happy when I'm amused, and when I'm with the people I love. I'm happiest when I am with the people I love and we are amusing each other. I'm not sure I want to live life with a bang.
We love whimsy. Do you have a favorite silly word or onomatopoeia?
I love the word Zyzzogeton because it is the last word in my dictionary. It's the real name of a little leaf-hopping insect from South America, and I hope to meet one someday. You can imagine why I have a liking for things starting with Z. It's one of the reasons I love being the illustrator of Z is for Moose.
Many thanks for your time! We're so very happy that you do what you do.
You're welcome, and thank you back!
- Paul
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