Katie Cottle is the author and illustrator of the new children's picture book The Blue Giant, which looks at ocean pollution. She also wrote and illustrated the book The Green Giant. She lives in Bristol, UK.
Q: Your previous book, The Green Giant, also focused on the
environment. What inspired you to write your new book, The Blue Giant?
A: The Blue Giant seemed a natural next step from The Green
Giant to me. I grew up on the Welsh coast, so the beach has always been a space
outdoors that I've loved and appreciated, and I knew I wanted to set a story
there. I definitely wanted to keep talking about environmental issues, and the
ever-growing plastic problem is a constant strain on our oceans and
wildlife.
I was really inspired after watching Blue Planet, and by the
rise of environmental activism from people around the world - notably
school students! I've been working on reducing my plastic usage and wanted to
create an accessible way to talk about these things with children, too.
Q: In our last interview, you said you usually tend to focus
on the illustrations before the text--was that true with this book as well?
A: Sort of! With The Blue Giant, I was researching and
doodling and writing all at the same time. It was quite a fluid process -
working up drawings of what the characters would look like, then sketching a
rough thumbnail, then trying to describe what's happening in it and then
continuing that.
Once the bones of the text are in place, I could focus on
the roughs for the artwork, and then the artwork. I find that (for me) text is
something that I'm happy with editing at any point; I like to get the
illustrations clearly telling the narrative first.
It was lovely working with Neil and Hattie (from Pavilion)
again, as they're open to ideas and great with offering feedback!
Q: What kind of research did you do to write this book, and
did you learn anything especially surprising?
A: I was looking into how all the plastic actually gets into
our oceans - as there's so much, I was sure it couldn't all be litter! It's
sad, but even things that have been put in the recycling can end up making
their way to the water.
There are some really scary statistics, and although they're
important to read and see, I wanted to find some way of communicating this to
younger readers in a less doom-y way.
To me, that meant finding a positive solution that was
manageable and possible for everyone to get involved with! Something that
really surprised me was that “'half of all plastics are single-use
applications, used just once and then disposed of,” so researching reusable
alternatives we can use every day was my next step.
Q: What do you hope kids and their parents take away from
the book?
A: I hope that it inspires a curiosity and an enthusiasm for
change. I think that no one person can magically clean up or fix the massive
issues we're facing on this planet - but by working together, helping each
other and each doing our best we can solve anything!
Q: What are you working on now? Are there any more giants to
look forward to?
A: No more giants yet, but I've recently finished
illustrating some new picture books that I didn't author - which was a great
and different experience! I've also been working up some other story ideas that
have been rattling around my head. So keep an eye out!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Information on environmental issues is
easily available to us with just a few clicks online. Keep on reading
and watching documentaries, and even look into what you can do locally to help
out your community!
Even if it's just taking a spare bag with you on a walk, and
picking up any rubbish you see along the way - every action will help.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Katie Cottle.
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