Q&A with Petr Horáček

 

 

Petr Horáček is the author and illustrator of the new children's picture book Tiny Owl's Scary Day. His many other books include The Best Place in the World. He grew up in Prague, and lives in England.

 

Q: What inspired you to create Tiny Owl's Scary Day?

 

A: We all get slightly uncomfortable, sometimes even scared in the night. That’s because we don’t spend enough time in the dark. Some animals and creatures that live in the night may feel similar, but the other way around. They don’t know much about life in the daylight.

 

My first idea for the book was actually about a bat. But the character of an owl gave me more possibilities and let’s face it, who doesn’t like a baby owl. The baby owl looks just a bit cuddlier than a bat.

 

Q: How would you describe the dynamic between Tiny Owl and his mom?

 

A: Mummy Owl gives Tiny Owl the space for an adventure and space to grow up, but we know she’s still there if needed. It’s the assurance in the book I like. I think it’s something adults and children can identify with.

 

Q: The Kirkus Review of the book said, "Warm fare for youngsters eager for adventure—but still in need of some parental reassurance." What do you think of that description?

 

A: That’s what the book is about. Tiny Owl’s Scary Day is partly an observational book. The adult, the reader, reads the story, but the child sees the parallel story in the pictures. The child can see the mummy owl being there all the time, even if the text of the book doesn’t mention her. Mummy Owl is keeping an eye on Tiny Owl, being sure that she is safe.

 

What I wanted was a book which should be read together. A book where a child is active and becomes an equal partner to the reader.

 

Q: Did you work on the illustrations first or the text first--or both simultaneously?

 

A: I usually think “in pictures.” Of course, an idea for the story must be there, but the pictures, the story board, is first and then I work on the text.

 

A picture book is a form of art where the text and the illustrations must be in perfect harmony. You don’t have to say what you can already see in the picture and you don’t have to illustrate what is already written, but the text can’t exist without the pictures and the same the other way around.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m about to start illustrating a book about two bears. They are going to find an adventure. It’s a loose sequel to my book A Best Friend for Bear. I am looking forward to it!

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: May be that I’m going to have two new books published in the UK in September--Green Hippo (published by Walker Books) and The Long Walk (published by Ragged Bears).

Green Hippo is a book about being different and fitting in.

The Long Walk is a book which was published on my 50th birthday, 8 years ago, by a very small independent publisher in the Czech Republic. Back in my home country the book was quite popular and I’m so pleased that it’s now going to be published in English as well.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb