Meet Anna Walker!
Hi Scribblers,
Snap!, our first collaboration with the beloved Anna Walker has just entered the world, and we’re so excited to see it reach your hands. Anna is such a dedicated creator, and her love for the character of Frog has been delightfully infectious.
In the pages of Snap! you’ll follow Anna’s cheeky little frog go on an adventure through the soundscape of the forest. It’s filled with fun onomatopoeias and beautifully collaged illustrations of wild animals and lush greenery, sure to put a smile on the faces of adults and children alike.
To celebrate the publication of this delightful new book, we asked Anna a few questions about her inspiration behind Snap! and her work as an author-illustrator.
Meet the author-illustrator
Anna Walker is an award-winning illustrator and author of many picture books for children published around the world. Anna creates illustrations with watercolour, pencil, and collage. Her stories are inspired by the quiet and sometimes joyful details of life. She lives and works in Melbourne.
Welcome to Scribble! Snap! is your first collaboration with us, and we’ve been delighted to help bring your vision to life. Although this is your first book with Scribble, you have written numerous other children’s books. What is it about the work that keeps you coming back?
I love illustrating, making things, and escaping into the world of the imagination. Making children’s books is a way of bringing these things together. Being able to create children's books makes me feel very happy going to work!
“I love illustrating, making things, and escaping into the world of the imagination.”
Where did the inspiration for Snap! come from?
“I still primarily see myself as a storyteller using imagery. I enjoy capturing feelings with colours, textures, and the expression of a character.”
The idea made me laugh! When I was a child, sometimes we would find tiny frogs in the garden. They often looked like they were quietly smiling and then without warning they would leap away, which would give me a fright but was also funny! From this, the idea for Snap! began with the thought of a tiny frog tapping on a sleepy crocodile, jumping away with fright, and then continuing an adventure.
You’re a very talented multi-hyphenate, but for you, what comes first? Words or images? Why?
Images always come first :) I came to picture books as an illustrator, and even though I write, I still primarily see myself as a storyteller using imagery. I enjoy capturing feelings with colours, textures, and the expression of a character.
What does your creative process look like? Is there a routine or something that helps you really get in the zone?
The process usually goes something like this:
This is going to be awesome!
I can't do this.
Actually, it might work.
Actually, it might not work.
I think it’s ok. . .
And so on, until the book is complete! Spending many hours at my studio also helps me settle into a flow of work. Going for a run now and then helps too!
“Be brave and listen to feedback even if it’s hard to hear. Don’t let self doubt stop you.”
Do you have any words of advice for any emerging or aspiring picture book authors/illustrators?
Follow the ideas you are interested in. Try new things! Be brave and listen to feedback even if it’s hard to hear. Don’t let self doubt stop you. Keep going!
