Susan Hughes is an award-winning writer of many children's books —including fiction and non-fiction—and is thrilled to have five new picture books coming out this year, including Carmen and the House that GaudíBuilt (illus by Marianne Ferrer; Owlkids Books, March 15); Sounds All Around: The Science of How Sound Works (illus by Ellen Rooney; Kids Can Press, May 4); Walking for Water: How One Boy Stood Up for Gender Equality (illus by Nicole Miles; Kids Can Press, June 1), and Lights Day and Night: The Science of How Light Works (illus by Ellen Rooney; Kids Can Press, fall). 1) Your picture book “Carmen and the House that Gaudí Built” features a house in Barcelona designed by the marvellously talented architect Antoni Gaudí. How did you come to write a book about Antoni Gaudí? Several years ago, my partner and I were on a trip to Spain and visited Barcelona, a city on the coast of north-eastern Spain. I loved it, especially because it introduced me to the ideas and buildings of Antoni Gaudí. My partner and I visited several of the structures that he built, the incredible cathedral, an apartment building, and the Casa Batlló. This building took my breath away! Dazzling and colorful, full of light, swirls and curves, the house is a UNESCSO World Heritage site and one the best examples of Art Nouveau buildings in the city. One visit, and I was full of questions about Antoni Gaudí. When I got home, I did research—lots and lots of it. I admired Gaudí’s observation that “there are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature has no straight lines,” and his decision to design his structures with few straight or sharp corners, mirroring nature. I knew I had to share with young readers what I had seen and what I was learning about Gaudí and his compelling ideas. Casa Batlló, Barcelona. Photo credit: Abbey Road Programs. 2) Why did you decide to write a fictional picture book story instead of, say, a biography for middle-grade readers about Antoni Gaudí? I was determined to try to convey the energy and liveliness in this architect’s structures. I wanted to give readers a strong feeling about Gaudí, yes, but mostly I wanted to show them how his ideas came alive in his work. I believed a picture book was perfect. It offers both text and large vibrant illustrations. And instead of him being the main character, I decided it would be more inviting to young readers if my story featured a child character who interacts with Gaudí, who sees his work on one specific house, who sees it being shaped and changed by him over time. I hoped this would allow young readers to have the same experience and, in this way, instead of just reading about his ideas, they could see how they came to life in a real building and how it was meaningful to this one child. They could appreciate the joy in Gaudí’s connection with nature and with architecture—and the combination of these Interior spreads from CARMEN AND THE HOUSE THAT GAUDÍ BUILT. 3) How did you decide to write about Casa Batllo and not one of Gaudí’s other many amazing works? In my research, I learned that Josep and Amàlia Batlló purchased this house in the heart of the fashionable district of Barcelona in 1903 and commissioned Gaudi to redesign and renovate it. The Batlló family had five children, including a daughter named Carmen, who was 11 at the time. Had she ever met Gaudí? I wasn’t able to find out. In fact, I couldn’t find much information about Carmen at all. But that was alright. The moment I learned about her, the sparks flew and I made up my mind— the house in my story would be Casa Batlló, Carmen would be the main character, and she would meet Antoni Gaudí! Historical photo showing the Batllo family. Carmen is second from the left. Join CARMEN AND THE HOUSE THAT GAUDÍ BUILT creators Susan Hughes and Marianne Ferrer, along with Deborah Kerbel and Yong Ling Kang, the creators of THIS HOUSE IS HOME, for a double picture book launch on Monday, May 10 at 2:30 pm. Registration link can be found here.
Comments are closed.
|
Picture Books, Eh!We write, illustrate and support Canadian, and we're releasing picture books in 2024! Follow us for news on Canadian PBs, regular blogs by Canadian PB creators, and more. |