Q&A with Britta Teckentrup

 

 

Britta Teckentrup is the author and illustrator of the new children's picture book When I Feel Lonely. Her many other books include When I Feel Brave. She is based in Berlin.

 

Q: What inspired you to create When I Feel Lonely?

 

A: I think that loneliness is a significant global problem in our times, affecting children, young adults and individuals of all ages. I personally know a few young people having to deal with this very difficult emotion. The “loneliness epidemic” after and during Covid refers to a significant rise in feelings of social isolation and the need for more connection.

 

Loneliness is linked to increased risks of depression, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness, and I started to research into this very overwhelming feeling and the possibilities of overcoming it. That’s how my book came about.

 

Q: How did you create the illustrations for this book?

 

A: It always starts with textured, hand-printed papers, which I import into Photoshop to create “digital collages.” My process does not really change that much from book to book. But as I write and illustrate for different age groups the colours and simplicity of my illustrations vary quite a bit.

 

In this book I wanted to keep the illustrations quite bare and minimal to reflect the emotion of loneliness…

 

Q: What do you think the book says about loneliness?

 

A: My main aim was to describe and convey the feeling of loneliness in words and images, so that children can see that they are not alone with this feeling.

 

Loneliness is a very complex and difficult topic and I can’t really give concrete answers as to how to overcome it. I just wanted to share and validate that feeling and use vocabulary that might help kids to express how they feel to a parent or caregiver.

 

The way out of loneliness is not an easy one and I had to reflect that in my story. But my main character realises that she/he is not the only one that feels lonely and does find connection and the possibility of a new friendship in the end…

 

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the story?

 

A: There are many people out there that are looking for connection and don’t quite know how to go about it. I hope that the book can open up a conversation.

 

I hope that my book can help children realise that they are not alone with feeling lonely, that their feelings are valid and that there is always the possibility of change and that things can get better.

 

Loneliness in children can sometimes disguise itself as sadness, irritability, emptiness, anxiety, and withdrawal. Being able to put a name to a feeling can help a child to investigate and share their own emotions and experiences of the world with a parent or caregiver. It can help them be seen and understood.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I am just developing the idea for another book in the series.

I have written about anger and rage, fear and courage, and loneliness and connection so far…

 

But I haven’t quite decided which emotion will be next – any ideas?

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Thank you so much for your wonderful questions :-)

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Britta Teckentrup.