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!