We are delighted to continue our Libraries in the Picture feature for Libraries Week and welcome Jen Khatun to the blog. The books Jen has illustrated include David Ashby's Gribblebob's Book of Unpleasant Goblins and most recently Chitra Soundar's wonderfully warm Sona Sharma, Very Best Big Sister.
Please
can you introduce yourself?
Hi I’m Jen, a Children’s Illustrator,
represented by The Bright Agency Group. My clients include Bramble Kids Books,
Pushkin Press & Walker Books.
My favourite things are:
-Spending time with my family, fiance
and our dog Juno.
-Collecting Berets and wearing them (See
my doodle for proof!)
-Cooking and dancing at the same
time.
-Watching my favourite Mystery
moguls, Poirot, Columbo and Holmes.
My work is heavily inspired by natural
surroundings, the people around me and my favourite childhood books. I enjoy
creating quaint yet quirky, loose and spontaneous illustrations that deliver an
essence of nostalgia and everyday magic. I have always been an avid pen and ink
Illustrator, but recently I have tried creating my illustrations digitally,
which does help with time and meeting quick turnovers with projects.
This year’s Libraries Week is
themed around books and reading, can you tell us about some of the books you
enjoyed as a child and why these connected with you?
My favourite books that really moulded
my creativity were Roald Dahl Books. His stories alongside Quentin Blake’s
illustrations were altogether awe-inspiring. I loved the simplicity, the
natural-ness, the imagination that they both delivered in each book.
What do you feel is important
about libraries?
I feel a Library can bring communities
of all ages together to read, learn, inspire and provide a great insight of the
actual world and the imaginative world.
Can you share details of
one of your favourite libraries – this could be a school library or a public
library?
I can’t say I have a favourite Library,
as each library has a specialness to it. But I always have a lovely memory in
the Library in my hometown, Winchester, Hampshire. When I was very little my
Dad took me to the Library where he got me my first Library card. And the
Librarian explained to me all the books I can borrow. I was so delighted, I
felt like I had ‘the golden ticket!'
Can you tell us anything about
your next book?
I can’t say much, but it’s full of fun
facts about maths and science…and there’s a library mouse in there too!
A huge thank you to Jen for taking part in our interview and for creating a brilliant library doodle!