12 Curly Questions with Author/Illustrator Ann James

1. Can you tell us something hardly anyone knows about you?

My grandmother was a really good whistler.

2. Do you have a nickname?

Miss Jimmy.

3. What is your greatest fear?

Driving a car.

4. Can you describe your writing style for us in ten words?

I'm primarily an illustrator, but my style of writing and my style of illustration have lots in common: Character driven and spontaneous, with humour and humanity at heart.

5. What are five positive words that describe you as a writer?

Optimistic

Spontneous

Curious

Sensitive

Whimsical

6. If you could be any book character, what character would you be and why?

The Ernest Shepard version of Pooh Bear . He's a beautifully drawn character, has plenty of friends, is endearing, happy, and wise in his bear-of-little-brain way.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?

Back to the 1933 when my Dad was a young, happy country schoolteacher so I could know him before he went to war.

8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?

What are the worst and best things that have happened in your life so far?

9. Who is your greatest influence? 

Jess, my best friend 

10. What or who made you start writing?

My first teacher Mrs Tillick, I suppose, started me writing and reading.

But I've always drawn, even before kindergarten I think

11. What is your favourite word and why?

Serendipidy is a good word. It's exotic, mysterious and it's a fact of life

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be? 
Beyond the Page, by Quentin Blake.

Ann and her partner Ann Haddon, established Books Illustrated, a gallery for children’s book illustration in Melbourne, in 1988. It specialises in promoting picture books and their creators through exhibitions in Australia and overseas. She is a director on the Board of The Australian Society of Authors and the Australian Children’s Literature Alliance, and also manages www.thestylefile.com – an online showcase of Australian book illustrators. Ann's latest book Bird and Bear is out now (The Five Mile Press) and you can learn more about Ann right here.

If you are an author or illustrator who thinks they are BRAVE enough to answer our questions, OR if there is an author or illustrator you would like to hear from, LET US KNOW! We will see if they are up to the task. 

Just email: susanATkids-bookreviewDOTcom