Lenny Pelling:
My profile.

In a recent interview with Megan Blandford of Kids Book Review, Lenny gave her take on what it’s like to be a writer and illustrator:

Tell us a little about you: what’s your background, your story?
I studied fine arts originally. That was followed by quite a long time of trying to figure out how to actually use those skills. I’ve done set design for theatre and short films and made puppets for children’s plays (including a surrealist puppet mystery play for the Sydney Festival). This was written and co designed by a friend of mine who also wrote children’s stories. Together we wrote and illustrated any number of tales that never saw the light of day. After years of knowing I wanted more than anything to “make stuff”, I landed a job illustrating and co-designing two series of educational books [X-Zone series 1 & 2, Scholastic/McGrawHill] designed to capture the interest of reluctant readers and it has all just grown from there.

What made you decide to write and illustrate children’s books? What do you love about writing for kids?
I love making artwork where I can really stretch my own imagination and my skills. Children are such a great audience because their minds seem to jump to the most incredible places. They can take in the most fantastical concepts without question. I have to try really hard to take my work to places a child can dream up before breakfast.

A friend’s child once presented me with a blob of cotton wool, foil and sticky tape and in her mind it was this amazing creature that had adventures and was magic and ate fairy floss for every meal. She got all that from cotton wool. If I can make a book that can capture that imagination, I will be very happy.

What was the inspiration for your Pen Pals Forever series?
It comes from two places really. My Grandmother is a tireless teller of family tales. She has kept dozens of scrapbooks and used to send me little type written snippets of “A day in the life of a wartime nurse”, or stories about her life in far-flung places. Our correspondence was special and I have saved her letters and postcards for years.

Another influence were letters from my best friend when she travelled overseas for the very first time. Everything was described in minute and hilarious detail, just like our conversations in person. Hand written letters, cards and scrapbooks are just my way of showing that relationships should be cherished.

Also, when writing in the old school way, ideas just tumble out. You write truthfully and don’t have the same opportunities to structure and sensor your feelings [as you do with email or text].

What are your all-time favourite kids’ books?
I grew up reading Roald Dahl and have never tired of his cheekiness and sometimes darkly terrifying stories. My other all time favourite is still Wind in the Willows. My parents read it to me over and over and I have read it again many times. I also love the work of Shaun Tan, especially The Red Tree and The Lost Thing. He is a wonderful artist, designer and writer. More recently, I have really enjoyed Ian Falconer’s wonderful Olivia books.

Read the complete interview, and see Megan’s review of Pen Pals Forever 1 – Summer Days.

 

Testimonials.

“In publishing, it’s all-too-common for illustrators to miss deadlines and cause delays. Lenny, by comparison, has always met or exceeded the most punishing schedules. She’s agile and happily adapts her style to her client’s needs. I’ve seen her respond to the most complex or lacklustre brief (often my own!) with a clear-eyed and evocative solution. It’s little wonder that Lenny is soon at home on most publishing teams.”

“At all times, Lenny has demonstrated her professionalism, warmth and tenacity to her colleagues and clients.”

“I commend her to you without reserve”

Stuart Gibson
Director, Book Design Australia

Read or download the complete testimonial (pdf).

 

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