An interview with - Benji Davies

We have decided to further celebrate the launch of Benji's latest gigantic picture book triumph 'The Storm Whale'  with a salty seafaring interview conducted entirely via the medium of messages in bottles. (you can read our full book review here)

Introducing inimitably talented illustrator...

Message in a bottle 1 - 
Do you develop ideas and concepts in sketchbooks or is it more of an organic process? 

I tend to scribble things down haphazardly, and then have scraps of ideas on envelopes, loose sheets of paper. This helps cement something from my head on to the paper. Then if the idea persists, if I like it the next time I look at it, the next time I pick up my sketch book I have somewhere to start.

Its hard to come up with ideas when confronted by a blank sketchbook unless you have already started the seeds in your head, the day before, last week, last year even. That said sometimes you might come up with an idea while sketching something else, for another project even, and an idea just creeps in.

The Storm Whale is a development of a story that I made as a short film when I was at uni in 2002. It was essentially the same, although some elements have been removed, others enhanced, to give it more readability as a book for children. But the core idea is still the same. I have always loved the sea and so using it as a backdrop to a story seemed very natural.

Its sort of odd to look at the film now, it looks so clumsy and badly animated ! 

Message in a bottle 2 -

Tell us about a book from your childhood which was particularly special to you. 

I still have quite a few of my books from childhood - Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad stories spring to mind. 

They stayed with me, simple elemental things like the idea of spring being around the next corner. Simple life affirming, universal ideas are strongest i think for picture books.

I always loved the Tiger Who Came To Tea. 

I love the idea of the this big animal who shouldn't be there, suddenly is in your house. I thought about that when I was writing this story,  back when I was making the short film.

I think it is the imagery or concepts of things that I remember most, something that resonated with me at that age, captured my imagination.

The whale I realised recently is almost identical in shape, the silhouette of its body and flippers and the curve of its back, to a stuffed toy seal that my mum used to have. I think this 3D form is imprinted in my head from childhood and eked its way out when I designing the whale for this story. 

You can see the main characters as they were when I first sketched them over a decade ago - they are more refined now ( I hope!)  but you can see they kept their essence.

Message in a bottle 3 -

Where else might we see you work other than sitting comfortably in a children's book? 

I recently worked on a rug design for Chris Haughton's 
Made By Node project. That was fun to do and I now have one of the rugs on my wall! It was made by the same people in Kathmandu who produced the knitted toy for The Storm Whale.

They're called Kumbeshwar and they employ local women to knit and weave, its a really great Fair Trade system that also supports their own school and orphanage. I'd like to do more in that vein in the future, making physical things, especially with crafts people, either linked to a book project or something stand alone.

I have also worked as an animation director for several years, making animated commercials and music promos as well as short films. I enjoy it, and love to see things come to life on the screen, but I also think the angle of my work is well suited to children's publishing. Primarily I just like drawing - its what I loved doing when I was younger and what I still love now. 

Message in a bottle 4 -
As a fan of all things coastal what your favourite fish dish

I love seafood.. really anything fish, actually  - moules mariniere, yes! 

Message in a bottle 5 -

Where do you find inspiration? 

I feel inspired (I'm not just saying this because of this book) when I'm near the sea. My wife Nina and I love the coast, particularly in Norfolk where we have spent a lot of holidays.

Top tip for you is to go to Wells-Next-The-Sea where if you're lucky The Albatross will be moored up. Its an old dutch sailing ship that is a pub-come-pancake restaurant - that's all they serve, good beer and pancakes. Its a must. 

But really I think inspiration can start anywhere, you just have to be in a receptive mode. Victorian chimney pots, old shacks and nature often set me whirring.

Message in a bottle 6 -

Do you think social media is important in promoting a book?  

Social media I think is really good for connecting illustrators and authors to each other and the people who buy their books. I think its really important now to be involved or I think perhaps you could become too obscure and hidden from the chatter.

Its still quite experimental though - a balance between telling people what you're up to and possibly boring them with the same old Storm Whale news… ahem.

(You can follow Benji on Twitter @Benji_Davies)

Message in a bottle 7 -
Which is your favourite spread from The Storm Whale?  

My favourite spread is possibly the one that kick started the whole thing, which was recognised by my art director, Nia at Simon&Schuster as potential book material, (with Noi's house on the beach, the opening spread). I think the whole story is in this image, even though the whale is yet to turn up.

Message in a bottle 7 -

If you were stranded on a desolate beach who would you like to sit next to the campfire with? 

I think some old sea dogs would be good company in the light of the campfire, to tell a few tales of the deep.

Message in a bottle 8 -
You have a well documented and successful background in animation do you think this feeds through in the way in which you develop and create your picture books in terms of style and narrative? 

I think it must do. its one of the reasons I wanted to study animation over illustration, because I felt it would give me a better understanding of movement and storytelling in my work.

Message in a bottle 9 -

Three men in a boat - If you were abandoned at sea in a small fishing boat with two other illustrators who would you choose?

If I was out at sea with a couple of illustrators in a boat…  I'm not sure about this, I think we'd all go mad! 

Maybe we'd get swallowed by Moby Dick.. 

I'd take a Gustaf and a Gustav.

Gustaf Tenggren, he did the backgrounds & concepts on Pinnochio for Disney, the underwater pics and inside of the whale are brilliant.

And then Gustav Dore. He made incredible engravings of sea monsters like this one..

Message in a bottle 10 -
With the onslaught of e-books and enhanced picture books is there a future in REAL books?

Oh yes I definitely think there is a future for real picture books. I think its something you can't take away from them, they are the real deal, the digital counterpart doesn't feel the same. But maybe there is some nostalgia attached to that.

Me Books are really interesting, by adding sound and voice over, they help create something that might spread the books audience, maybe children who find it difficult to engage with traditional books. I think this is important as children are being bombarded by digital media, and distracted by it more and more, this could help draw them into real books, bridging the gap.  But I don't think this competes at all with the real version - it just provides an alternative way of enjoying a story and hopefully its reach and appeal is then wider. Getting interested in reading and finding access points to books is the most important thing.

THANK YOU to Benji Davies for his thoughtful and insightful answers, always a gent! - we can't wait to see what he's got up his sleeve for his next picture book and Three cheers to Simon & Schuster who are creating great waves with their imaginative and enviably stylish new picture book list! HURRAH 

The Storm Whale is available to buy in all good book shops 

TOOT TOOT Book Sniffers - more eye-boggling picture books reviewed later this week! EXCITING on a book shaped stick. 

Get Set GO! with Dixie O'Day by Shirley Hughes and Clara Vulliamy

The Book Sniffer and his dear chums Dixie and Percy are heading off on a road trip - They do hope you'll join them on a jolly jaunt to the seaside for a fabulous picnic to celebrate the launch of 

Dixie O'Day - In the Fast Lane

so buckle up and pass the boiled sweets.

Dearest Dixie and Percy - How spiffy to see you both after all this time, It's such a breath of fresh air to make it to the countryside and the train 

ride was an utter ball. 

Shall we head for the coast dear chums? I have packed a hamper with plenty of lemonade and jammie dodgers!

 A jolly jaunt to the beach at Brightsea through Didsworth will be the perfect opportunity for us to catch up! 

9am arrive at Didsworth Station on the direct train from Sniffer Central 

First stop a wander through the delightful dappled woods - SO dear chums - fabulous news about your very own Dixie O'Day series, I always knew you'd hit the big time Dixie, what larks. We could have a game of hide and seek while we're here in the woods? Or do you chaps have another favourite game to play when driving around together? 

A game of hide and seek is the PERFECT game for us three! Percy is brilliant at hiding. I had a spot of bother recently while trying to hide behind a tree: I stuck out a bit on both sides.
We’ve packed the babminton set too. You were always rather a whizz with the racquet, Sniffer!

9:30 - A stop at Dot's Allotment

Dot has a very fine array of home grown produce, we should pick up some lovely toms for our picnic? I've packed Gentlemen's Relish sandwiches - What are your most favoured picnic snacks?

Hula Hoops for Percy, a couple of boiled eggs for me, please! I think Dot has put aside one of her award-winning cucumbers, too…

10:00am - The Boating Lake 

What larks! A boating lake, shall we head out for a row? I see a rather splendid little red boat yonder which would fit us three just perfectly. We've known each other for sometime haven't we old beans - but where did you chaps meet? 

This is the life: bobbing about in a jaunty little red boat, on a perfect sunny day!
Percy and I were at school together. Here is our old school photograph, as featured in Dixie O’Day in The Fast Lane:

I do remember that those woolly shorts were rather scratchy…

11:00am Car Repair Shop 

CONGRATULATIONS on your fabulous result in the Didsworth to Dodsworth Road Race (as featured in Dixie O'Day In the Fast Lane AND The Dodsworth Daily!) - Better stop off for a quick lick of paint at the repair shop get your lovely car looking as good as new - What are we likely to find in your glove compartment? 

Thank you! It was a wonderful result indeed.
Yes, we might need a touch up of paint here and there and small polish of the hubcaps…
In the glove compartment there are some old liquorice allsorts (Percy’s) and a book of 100 Sturdy Country Walks (mine).

11:30am Pickwick Farm 

I do love a trip to the farm - I'm especially fond of tickling the portly tums of piggies with a stick - I spotted a fair few hilarious creatures in In The Fast Lane but could you tell us about a tiny detail which you love but which we might have missed? 

Did you spot the mouse and his cheese-car? He and his large family are neighbours of mine – jolly nice folk!

11:40: Cliff Edge at Didsworth Hills

Well the views here are marvellous but I'm staying a fair distance from the edge - CRIPES - What larks do you have planned for your next adventure? and will there be more tittersome mild peril? 

Our next trip will be to Brightsea – we are staying at the Hotel Splendide! Cream teas, bow ties, and bracing walks along the jetty…
nothing can possibly go wrong, SURELY??

11:45 - Petrol Station and Diner

Better fill up the old vee-hicle before the final stretch to the beach - lets stop for a light snackerel before we head off - I hear Ron's Ice creams are a dream - which toppings will you choose? 

Ah yes, Ron’s dreamy ice creams - just studying the menu now…
I’ll go for the banana split please, Sniffer!

Woooah Steady on Dixie - we're not in a race now but I appreciate the urgency of making it to the seaside in time for lunch at mid day! TOOT TOOT ..BEEP BEEP 

What a marvellous day spent with two of my dearest chums - We simply must catch up more often - perhaps next time you can both come to the big city? 

We should like that very much. Perhaps Percy can go to see a musical in the West End, and I can peruse the antique markets. I am looking to buy a ukulele…

I simply can't wait to hear what they get up to in the next Dixie O'Day adventure - but for now it remains a mystery....

Now dear Sniffers I do hope you enjoyed your jolly jaunt with us, and I do hope you feel you can call Dixie and Percy chums now too.

REVIEW : Dixie O'Day - In the Fast Lane

Written by Shirley Hughes and Illustrated by Clara Vulliamy

a Bodley Head book.

Every now and again a book arrives at Book Sniffer Towers which I wish I'd had when I was a child, this is one of those books and if I had have had it I would without doubt loved books and reading EVEN more than I already do.

As I swept through the pages at breaknecking speed, I quietly chuckled to myself knowing just how much fun Shirley and Clara must have had together thinking up such a jolly world filled with larksome characters and that distilled joy and silliness came through in every single page. 

There must have been a huge pressure on this dynamic duo for their very first (but definitely not last) collaboration. Everyone has been clamouring for some time to see what two such wonderfully talented and hugely respected artists would create together and they most certainly did not disappoint. 

Shirley has delivered a supremely witty and charming story which melts seemlessly into Clara's chic and endlessly entertaining illustrations.

What a dream team, I wonder if the stories are a small window into happy family day trips of the past. (I like to think so)

In the Fast Lane is the first in the entrancing Dixie O'Day series for younger readers (actually ...all readers) It is a delightful small format hardback within which we are treated to a wealth of extra treats, from exquisitely detailed town maps, to character profiles to help familiarise yourself with the good folk of Didsworth and even games, a sneak chapter preview AND a quiz - what larks.

Such a beautifully package book in bold confident monochrome with accents of bright red - tre tre stylish.

As the first in the series we become acquainted with dear old Dixie and his rotund side kick Percy, before being trust full speed into a hilarious slap stick road race filled with mild peril and shout out loud moments of devious trickery and utter triumph. OBVIOUSLY I can't tell you the outcome of the race - it would be more than my Boney-o's are worth but let me assure you, you'll be gripping the sides of your chair like you were in the race yourself. 

This series will go from strength to strength with Dixie and Percy becoming firm favourites in many many houses. 

Bravo and three cheers for Dixie and Percy and Toots of delight to Shirley and Clara, their ever so marvellous creators.

You can find out more about this delightful series of book on Dixie's very own website! you can also follow illustrator Clara Vulliamy on Twitter @ClaraVulliamy and she has a rather fabulous website too! Please pop along and visit.

Toodle Pip for now Dear Sniffers - keep an eye out for my new feature in tBK magazine next issue - a whole page of tippety top reviews AND a page featuring some of my fave pugarazzi shots.

TOOT TOOT!


With huge thanks to Clara, Shirley, CHC and Benji - the Sniffer salutes you! X
 

The Storm Whale by Mr Benji Davies.

The Storm Whale 

Created by Benji Davies 

and published by Simon and Schuster

I had heard whisperings of this wonderful picture book on Twitter and Facebook, like some mythical creature from the deep sea, we were teased and tormented by sneak peeks at what looked to be the very beginnings of a mesmeric picture book by fabulous beard sporting illustrator Benji Davies.

A teaser

The very moment The Storm Whale washed up at Book Sniffer Towers I was smitten, this book was immediately recognisable as being unique and stood out from the crowd, part of a new wave of creative design lead innovative picture books from Simon & Schuster - three cheers to that.  

So let me tell you more about this incredible addition to the Sniffer bookshelf...

Noi is a small (balaclava wearing) boy, a lonely child who lives with his burly fisherman father on a small island with several cats for company. Benji's characterisation is so well considered that the characters in his books become faultlessly believable. 

After a morning well spent collecting treasures on his very own desolate beach Noi discovers a beached whale.

Noi decides the best place for his new friend is at home with him so an adventure begins as he smuggles the baby whale into the little wooden house which he shares with his father and embarks on a  mission to look after him the very best way he can.


Utterly heart wrenching scenes unfold as the small boy plays sea shanty's to the bath-bound whale and sneaks food from his own plate to feed his new friend.

It really is wonderful to see a father / son relationship depicted in such a touching way...

The time comes when Noi's father discovers the whale and in a delightfully reassuring way they decide to set the whale free together. A cockle warming moment of sadness contentment and hope.

Aside from the beautiful story this picture book is impressively designed, the muted colour pallet is so atmospheric you'll be convince that you can smell the sea and feel the pebbles beneath your toes. With delicate flashes of rich yellow on many spreads signifying safety and security this is far from a bleak tale.

Transported back to a time of innocence and simplicity this delicate story about friendship and has echos of The Snowman in it's magnificent timeless nature. 

A future classic and a must have for the dicerning picture book fan.

Bravo Benji Davies and congratulations - lets hope we see more and more of his wonderful creations in the very near future.

5 starfish out of 5!

Message in a bottle Interview with Benji COMING SOON

In the mean time you can purchase one of theses delightful LIMITED EDITION knitted whale and hardback book sets here - An absolute must have. 

Follow Benji on Twitter @Benji_Davies ...

and check out his illustrator page on Facebook so for tantalising sneak peeks.

A proud day!

Washed up whale  -Image taken from Benji Davies Illustrator on Facebook