Q&A with Barbara McClintock

 

 

 

Barbara McClintock is the illustrator of the new children's picture book Where Are You, Brontë, which was written by the late Tomie dePaola. McClintock's many other books include Three Little Kittens. She lives in Connecticut.

 

Q: How did you come to illustrate the late Tomie dePaola’s picture book Where Are You, Brontë?

 

A: Simon and Schuster art director and longtime friend of Tomie’s Laurent Linn called to ask if I’d be interested in illustrating Tomie DePaola’s last complete manuscript about his beloved dog Brontë and how Tomie dealt with his grief after Brontë passed away.

 

I’m a big fan of Tomie’s books (who isn’t head over heels in love with Strega Nona?) and I jumped at the chance to illustrate something written by him. My cherished 14-year-old cat Emma had died just weeks before, and I knew working on this book would help me find a pathway through my grief after losing her.

 

When I read the manuscript, I was completely smitten. Tomie crafted the text to flow like small chapters framed by the continuing refrain “Where Are You, Brontë,” sharing the growing relationship and love between Tomie and Brontë from puppyhood ‘til “The day you left me, I knew I would miss you. And I did. Every day, every night” and beyond.

 

The writing was elegant, frank, honest and deceptively simple. There was plenty of Tomie’s usual wit, and his love for Brontë glowed from every single line of text.

 

Q: How would you describe the relationship between Tomie dePaola and his dog?

 

A: Tomie had several Airedale terriers over the years, but Brontë was his favorite. Brontë entered Tomie’s life as a puppy; over time, toys, walks, hanging out together in the studio and letting Brontë sleep on his bed, a deep, loving bond formed between Tomie and his beloved dog.

 

The love of Brontë filled a big part of Tomie’s emotional life, and when Brontë died, Tomie discovered that love, transformed, was still there and remained with him for the rest of his life.

Q: The Kirkus Review of the book says, “Tasked with illustrating the title after dePaola’s passing, McClintock pays tribute to his art while also managing to retain her own particular style. The love between man and dog is palpable in every spread. And while the book will speak to children who have said goodbye to pets of their own, it will also aid readers in grieving for the author himself.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I recognized from the first time I read the manuscript that the story was every bit as much about the loss of Tomie as it was about the loss of Brontë.

 

Of course Tomie didn’t know that when he wrote the manuscript, but I really think that on some subliminal level he must have sensed it was his way of saying goodbye and letting everyone know he’s still with us, through the love he continues to share through his books.

 

I wanted to honor Tomie’s illustration style by attempting to blend my style with his. I spent a lot of time trying to copy Tomie’s line work and various color palates, using colored pencils, markers, brushes and paints that were in Tomie’s repertoire of art mediums. 

 

Tomie’s drawings look simple, but oh, boy, are they challenging to duplicate! I’m glad I was able to strike a happy balance between our styles.

Q: How would you describe Tomie dePaola’s legacy?

 

A: So much has been written about Tomie’s legacy - the many books and paintings he created, the 250 million books he sold worldwide, his generosity and support in helping other illustrators with their careers, his humor, love of food, family, and art - his was a full life well lived.

 

But I think the best summery was said by Tomie’s longtime friend Lin Oliver in Kara Yorio’s article in SLJ about his legacy: “Tomie’s books offer children his soul and spirit, which is why they will be forever loved. In that sense, he is with us forever.”

Q: What are you working on now?

A: I’m working on illustrations for The Ratsle and the Catsle, a picture book written by Gideon Sterer for Little, Brown about a kingdom of rats and a kingdom of cats who are ancient enemies, and the two brave young rulers who change the old ways and become friends.

 

I’m also illustrating a graphic novel written by Kirsten Larson for Roaring Brook about the French curator Rose Valland who at great risk to her life secretly catalogued artwork the Nazis were stealing from French museums, galleries, and private individuals.

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I’m attracted to joy, and I was drawn to the sense of joy in Tomie and Brontë’s growing bond, but also to the sense of joy and transformation in Tomie discovering that the essence of Brontë’s love would always be there with him, forever after.

 

It’s interesting to compare Where Are You, Brontë? to Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs. Both books are about love and the loss of a loved one, and the realization that the love remains forever in our memory and in our hearts.

 

Maybe love itself is what someone, anyone, truly is to us, and that can never be taken away. 

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb