Lynn Jenkins is a clinical psychologist, author and mother of three. She is passionate about early intervention in the social and emotional development of children, and has written several children’s books on such topics. Her collaborator on a new picture book called What If … ? is Kirrili Lonergan, a children’s book illustrator, art therapist and mother of four. She has illustrated several picture books as well as creating designs for clothes, prints and pottery. She is passionate about illustrating picture books that have a ‘healing’ message.
Today, both Lynn and Kirrili are on the blog to take on our Ten Terrifying Questions! Read on …
Lynn Jenkins
1. To begin with why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself – where were you born? Raised? Schooled?
LJ: I am a country girl at heart. I was born in Coonamble NSW and raised and schooled in various schools from small country schools to finally a girls’ High School in Maitland. I went to Uni in Newcastle NSW
KL: I was born and raised in Newcastle, NSW Australia. I attended a small school in Waratah West with my sister and two brothers.
2. What did you want to be when you were twelve, eighteen and thirty? And why?
LJ: At 12 I wanted to be in the TV series Fame and go to that high school in America! Ha! Leading up to 18 I wanted to be a photo journalist and work in war-torn countries. I was already a psychologist at 30, but I was always writing and would fantasise about being a published author.
KL: At 12, I wanted to work with children with disabilities, at 18, I wanted to fly to places like Ethiopia and care for sick children because I have always had a passion for helping people, but at the same time I always wanted to create. At 30, I just wanted to create, explore and illustrate!
3. What strongly held belief did you have at eighteen that you don’t have now?
LJ: That I had to worry about what people think of me!
KL: I believed that I could go out into the world and help everyone but I now realise that you can help make a difference, but it’s a big world out there!
4. What are three works of art – this could be a book, painting, piece of music, film, etc – that influenced your development as a creator?
LJ: All things ‘apartheid’ influenced me – The Power of One, Mississippi Burning. Also, the music of The Cranberries.
KL: Growing up I was always a huge fan of the colourful and emotional works of Van Gogh. I have also been influenced by Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake as well as more recently Stephen Michael King. A book called Hello Tilly by UK based author/illustrator Polly Dunbar strongly influenced me to start illustrating picture books.
5. Considering the many artistic forms out there, what appeals to you about writing and illustrating a children’s book?
LJ: Pretty simply, I love words and putting them together
KL: Illustrating a children’s book gives you the opportunity to revisit your childhood years and tap into a child’s mind. It’s the challenge of telling a story with pictures to complement the words, as well as knowing that children are going to learn and enjoy the book, that makes it very rewarding.
Kirrili Lonergan
6. Please tell us about your latest book!
LJ: My latest book is What if … ?. It is a spin on the common start to worry thoughts: ‘What If’. Instead of ending in catastrophe, these two words can also be the beginning of adventure and fun thoughts! From a ‘nerd’ perspective, What If … ? was also influenced by the fact that humour and novelty engages the part of our brain that helps us to manage anxiety, which is different to the part of the brain that is ruling when we are anxious.
KL: It’s a story about turning your worry thoughts into playful, fun thoughts. It’s a fun-filled book that encourages children to use their imaginations to change their thought patterns and in turn, alleviate their worries. ‘What if…’ just two little words that can make a big difference!
7. What do you hope people take away with them after reading your work?
LJ: That humour and novelty are options when it comes to starting a thought with ‘what if’! That thoughts are simply thoughts, and we can learn to choose them like we choose our clothes.
KL: I hope that through the words and pictures children take away the message in the book and that the parents and caregivers sharing the story feel inspired to implement that message into the everyday lives of their children.
8. Who do you most admire in the writing or illustrating world and why?
LJ: About the ‘general’ writing world – that people can express themselves in a much more free way than talking. In children’s books – that adults and children can discuss often very important issues for children. I love the idea of bibliotherapy.
KL: I most admire Stephen Michael King for his fun, whimsical work and Freya Blackwood for her unique and stunning illustrations.
9. Many artists set themselves very ambitious goals. What are yours?
LJ: That people enjoy my books and that for at least some children, they make a difference.
KL: My goal is to continue to build on my skills and style so that children recognise my art as a tool to learn and grow as they navigate through their young years.
10. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers or illustrators?
LJ: Write. Write. Write. Words tend to flow that you didn’t even know would!
KL: Believe in yourself and don’t listen to your inner critic when they tell you that you can’t, because you can!
Thank you for playing!
—What If … ? by Lynn Jenkins and illustrated by Kirrili Lonergan (Exisle Publishing) is out now.
What If ... ?
Issy uses the words ‘what if…’ a lot. What if there is a monster in my cupboard? she wonders before going to sleep. Or What if my floor turns into quicksand and swallows my bed?
For her, ‘what if…’ are two little words that start worries and lead to uneasy feelings. But maybe they can be used for something a little more fun…
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