Interview with Sophy Henn

Sophy Henn lives and works in Sussex, England. She writes and illustrates children's books in her studio, with a large cup of tea by her side, and can't quite believe her luck. Where Bear?, her first book, was nominated for both the Kate Greenaway Medal and shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize in 2015. Pom Pom Gets the Grumps won Junior Design Awards Best Book of the Year 2015, and Sophy won Best Emerging Talent (Children's Author). She was also the World Book Day Illustrator for 2015 and 2016.

BWB: This is your third Pom Pom picture book. Out of the three which one is your favourite?

SH: Oh heavens, that's like asking someone to chose between their children! Hmmm. I have a huge soft spot for Grumps as it was the original Pom Pom. I didn't know he would have a series at that point and it was written as a stand alone book. The story is based on the real life events that inspired Pom Pom. A lovely little girl having a bit of a moment and telling everyone to "GO AWAY" over and over until everyone did. Then she got a bit worried and we heard her calling out for everyone in a very little, worried voice. Being a toddler is so tricky, all these new situations, emotions and hormones, you are constantly having to work out the 'right' response to things and trying to remember to keep things in check. The idea behind Grumps was to reassure the reader that everyone has bad days, but it's not the end of the world, you just have to own your mistakes and say sorry. Oh, and to make the reader laugh, obviously! But getting to create Champion and Super as well was amazing. Showing the different aspects of Pom Pom has been lovely, I think Super in particular shows another side of Pom Pom, a little more introspective and unsure of himself. So basically I love them all equally (but maybe one a little bit more for sentimental reasons)! 

BWB: I think Pom Pom would make a great preschool tv show. Would you ever consider going that direction with him?

SH: Thank you! It's funny, but a few people have said that since Pom Pom is Super has come out and having thought about it I could imagine Pom Pom tearing it up on the TV! I love a lot of Pre School TV and I have done my fair share of viewing ( I was in the original Balamory and Bob the Builder era!), I might even be known to watch the occasional episode of Hey Duggee!, which is amazing. The spirit of the Pom Pom books is a positive one, celebrating different characters and the joy, excitement and occasional upset that comes with being so little and discovering new things all the time.  I think so long as the programme stayed true to that, the illustration style and characters, then I would definitely consider a Pom Pom TV show. I am now imagining the theme tune!

BWB: Are pandas your favourite type of bear? If so, why?

SH: I love all bears! But Pom Pom had to be a panda, even before he got his name! As I mentioned before the inspiration came from a momentarily furious little girl but I knew I didn't want the character to be a little girl or boy as that seemed too gender specific so I started thinking about animals. I love the You Tube clip Pandas on a Slide, the Pandas are just so happy and laid back, rolling into on another and lolling about at the bottom of the slide, in no hurry to move on or get out of the way of the next sliding Panda. There are no sudden movements, they all just seem very happy. The idea of combining a furious little person with a chilled out, cute and cuddly Panda made me laugh and Pom Pom was born!

BWB: Can we expect more adventures with Pom Pom soon?

SH: Oh I hope so! Pom Pom is always in my mind, I am always jotting down things I have seen or overheard that seem Pom Pom-ish to me! My next book is about a human girl though...

BWB: Who is your favourite fictional bear and why?

SH: Oh heavens, that's like the first question...almost impossible to answer, there are lots of excellent bears about, Balloo, Paddington, Mr.Panda (I'm a stickler for manners!), Jon Klasson's bear with the missing hat, Fred the Bear and of course David Litchfield's piano playing bear. But if I am only allowed one then I think I am going to have to go for the classic....Winnie the Pooh. AA Milne's stories and the themes within them are timeless, endearing, joyous and occasionally heartbreaking, I have learnt many a life lesson from Winnie the Pooh. And EH Shepard's beautiful and seemingly effortless illustrations give such heart to the characters. Winnie's top spot was cemented by my daughter loving him too, though she called him Winnie-a-pooh. Bless!

Thank you to Sophy for once again letting me pick her brains! If you would like to see more of her wonderful work check out her website here. Pom Pom is Super is available to buy now at all good bookshops.

POM POM is Super

POM POM is Super

By Sophy Henn

Published by Puffin

Pom Pom is back again and he's more SUPER than ever! In his third outing, Pom Pom is discovering all his friends have 'super' talents - but what makes him special? Another gem from super talented Sophy Henn has landed!

One morning Pom Pom bursts from his bed, he's super excited that his friends are coming round to play. He gets everything ready; his best toys all out and lined up and lots and lots of snacks. DING DONG! went the doorbell. His first guest was here! Buddy flashes in and announces that he's Buddy the FANTASTIC Footballing Flash! Then Rocco turns up dressed as The Ant King, along with SCOUT the SPECTACULAR! Last to arrive is Baxter, dressed as Twinkly Twirly TORNADO BEAR. 

All his friends all looked super, and Pom Pom wanted to be super too, but what was he super at? He tried juggling but that didn't end well (especially when you use biscuits), he gives being a super-duper tidy-upper a go (but he decides that's not really something he wanted to be super at), maybe he was a superhero that could fly? Unfortunately Pom Pom finds out that Pandas aren't meant to leave the ground and comes down with a thump. With a little help from his friends, Pom Pom discovers that he's not just super at one thing, he's SHOUTY HULA DISCO Pom Pom!

All the usual ingredients are here; Sophy's colourful and bright illustrations we've come to recognise through all her books and a heart warming, funny story about friendship and finding out what you're good at. Of course this Pom Pom outing has that extra dash of 'super' which makes it the perfect book for your little superheroes.

Pom Pom is Super is available to buy now at all good bookshops and online at Puffin here. I caught up with Sophy to get more Pom Pom exclusives and ask her some bear related questions. Check out the interview here.

Pom Pom the Champion

Pom Pom the Champion

Written and illustrated by Sophy Henn
Published by Puffin

Pom Pom is back! Soppy Henn returns with her third book featuring the adorable Pom Pom. Her previous book, Pom Pom gets the Grumps, was reviewed here if you’ve not met this little panda before. (http://thebookwormbaby.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/pom-pom-gets-grumps.html).  Pom Pom the Champion features more toddler drama where Pom Pom discovers just how much he likes to win.

One morning Pom Pom didn’t know what to do with himself until his mummy suggested that they play a game. Pom Pom wins and realises just how much he liked being the winner. He won at not being the tallest or the  shortest, the first to finish his food and the first to get ready to go out. At the supermarket he packed the shopping bag the fastest and read his book the fastest at the library. 

When he gets to the playground, his friends ask Pom Pom to play scooters with them but Pom Pom warns them that he’s winning everything today. But Pom Pom doesn’t win that game as his friends fly pass him. Another friend suggests playing on the swings and Pom Pom bets he can go the highest, but his friends swing higher. Pom Pom has had enough and wants to go and win on his own but he soon realises its not that fun playing by yourself and he isn’t very happy at all. His friends join him once again and suggest a race but a race that they can all win together - a four legged race! 

Sophy Henn returns with her trademark bright, contemporary illustrations and her adorable cute characters. And like her previous two books, I love her colour palette, her pages are filled with colour and not a white background in sight. This funny and sweet book will strike a chord with parents and young children alike, about how its not always about being the best! 

I love Pom Pom and I hope this in not the last we’ve seen of him! Available in hardback and paperback, you can find Pom Pom the Champion in all good bookshops and online here.

Pom Pom Gets the Grumps

POM POM Gets the Grumps

By Sophy Henn 
Published by Puffin

 

Have you ever had one of those mornings where you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Well that’s what happens to Pom Pom, and nothing is right.
 
Pom Pom is a new character from Sophy Henn, her first book, Where Bear? was reviewed by me last year. You may also recognise Sophy’s unique and fun illustrations on the World Book Day website, check out her lovely illustrations here.

  
One morning, Pom Pom gets out of the bed on the wrong side and then nothing seems right. He can’t find his blanky, his baby brother is playing with his favourite toy very loudly, and his mummy is singing silly songs all throughout breakfast. Even his cereal was soggy and there were bits in his juice. “Harrumph!’ said Pom Pom which he constantly says throughout the book to everything going wrong. Pom Pom can’t even get his hair right and even on his way to school, the sun is too sunny and the birds are being too noisy. 

When he gets to school, everyone is having fun in the playground except Pom Pom. His friends come to ask him to play ball, “No” he huffs. How about we watch ants? “No” he grumbles. He even shouts “No” when asked to play catch before finally losing his temper and yelling “Go Away!” at the top of his voice! And unsurpisingly they do go away. Pom Pom is left all alone. He didn’t feel like shouting any more. His friends had only tried to be nice. Pom Pom knows he's been silly and goes to apologise to everyone, luckily he has nice friends who accept his apology and suggest a new game.

I really like Sophy Henn’s bright, contemporary illustrations and like Where Bear? her characters are very cute, you’ll even spot a reference to Where Bear? early on in this book. I recently visited a book shop and spotted this book straight away with its bright and simplistic cover, it definitely stands out on displays from ebrything else that's out.

The recommended age for this book is 3-5 years and this funny take on toddler tantrums will definitely strike a chord with parents. I happened to read this book aloud to my (nearly) 9 month old daughter and when making loud exaggerated “Harrumph!” sounds, she would laugh and give me a big smile.

This isn’t the last we seen of Pom Pom, he will be back in Pom Pom the Champion, due out this September. Pom Pom Gets the Grumps is available in all good bookshops and online from Puffin.

Sophy Henn interview

I absolutely loved Where Bear? and was dying to know more about the making of the book and the author/illustrator Sophy Henn. So what better way to get answers to all these questions by asking Sophy heself!

Sophy Henn lives and works in Sussex, England. She studied Fashion at Central Saint Martins, accidentally had a London based career as an Art Director in advertising, then completed an MA in Illustration at University of Brighton.

Now she writes and illustrates children’s books in her studio, with a large cup of tea by her side, and can’t quite believe her luck. Sophy is also this year's World Book Day illustrator. Check out her beautiful illustrations on the website here.


BWB: Who's your favourite fictional bear?

SH: Until trying to answer this question I had no idea there were so many bears I love! There's Baloo for 'Bare Necessities', Paddington for his utter adorableness, Fozzi for his fart shoes and Super Ted for pure nostalgia. But if I had to pick one above all the others it would be Pooh. He's satisfyingly cuddly without be too cute, he gets things wrong as well as occasionally right, which is always reassuring, he occasionally stumbles upon a heartbreakingly beautiful insight and there's a contentment about him which makes it a very cosy read. In all honestly it's the whole gang I love, my daughter did too, and it's always good to share!

BWB: How long did Where Bear? take to produce from the initial idea to the finished artwork?

SH: Where Bear? started as a scribble, then a while later a painting popped up, and so it continued for about 3-4 years, with varying intensity. When I was working on Where Bear? it was alongside freelance illustrating, running my greetings card business and for two years, my MA in Illustration. At the time I had no agent, no book deal and no idea what would happen, so there was no pressure to get it finished. Now I am lucky enough to be under contract with Puffin, my timescales have shrunk somewhat!


BWB: In Where Bear? the bear wants to find his real home - find out who he really is. Was this inspired by anything in your life?

SH: Everyone wants to find their spot, I suppose, that place where we 'fit' and feel happy. So maybe subconsciously there is a little of my own experience in there. But Bear's search for home was also partly inspired by people's desire to reorganise nature. Exotic pets and wild animals in captivity break my heart and the solution could be really straight forward, as the Boy's practical, innocent approach demonstrates. He just wants to find the place where Bear can be Bear. Home!


BWB: You were published for the first time this year. Was it a long and hard journey to get a publishing deal?

SH: I was hugely fortunate to land Paul at Bell Lomax Morton as my agent and he made the publishing deal side of things very painless. But when your work is out there, for the first time, in a field you are passionate about, it still felt like forever!


BWB: What has been the highlight of your career so far?

SH: I was going to say doing a presentation at a Puffin Showcase last year. I was on after Allan Allbergh (one of my childhood favourites) and before Lauren Child ( my daughter's favourite and huge inspiration), which was petrifying and awesome all at the same time! Then the bookshop and school visits are really fun too. But I think the highest highlight was when a Mum who had recieived an advance copy of Where Bear? tweeted that her daughter had asked for a re-read "Again, Again!", it was my first feedback and I burst into tears! Of joy, obviously!


BWB: What artists tool could you not live without?

SH: A 2B pencil. Boring but true! Can I have one with an eraser on the end please?


BWB: If you weren't a writer/illustrator what would you like to be?

SH: A tap dancer! Completely unrealistic, but I would absolutely love to don a sparkly bowler, catch a cane and tip tap around the place.


BWB: What picture books would you like to find in your Christmas stocking this year?

SH: That is an almost impossible question. I try not to look too closely at what's around in the picture book world as there are so many amazing books out there I tend to want to run and hide. So I've picked a Christmas theme to limit my choices...

Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas. I love Tim Burton.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss. Dr Seuss was a genius.

Olive the Other Reindeer by J.otto Seibold and Vivien Walsh, because it looks beautiful.

Snow Day by Richard Curtis and Rebecca Cobb. 

Rebecca's illustrations are beautiful and Richard Curtis is a bit good a holiday sentiment!

Snow by Sam Usher looks wonderful!

Oh and I'd love a signed, 1st edition of The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter please.

I know I've forgotten some, but I'd best stop there, I don't want to appear greedy!!!


BWB: Favourite picture book of all time?

SH: I have to pick just one?!!! Double hard, but it has to be Oh the Places You'll Go! by Dr Seuss. How he simplifies the complexities of the journey of life into a rhyming picture book is beyond me. It's sentimental and so insightful, but in no way cheesy or preachy. Brilliant!

BWB: You clearly love to draw bears. Is there anything you dread drawing?

SH: Hands! I'm getting better but if I can put them in a pocket I will! Just don't tell anyone!


Thank you, Sophy, for being the perfect guest! Where Bear! is available to buy now in all good bookshops.

Where Bear?

Where Bear?

By Sophy Henn
Published by Puffin

 

Where Bear? is Sophy Henn’s first picture book and what a lovely book it is! This is a tale of a little boy and a bear, of friendship, finding where home is and knowing when to let go. 

This adorable book is about a bear cub who once lived with a little boy, but when this bear grew and grew and grew into a big bear and did things that big bears do (eating lots of food, bathing in ponds and roaring), the boy knows its time to find a new place for the bear to live where he can be bearish and big. But where? 

The boy and the bear visit lots of different places; a toy shop - but these bears are the stuffed kind, the zoo - but this ends up making bear sad. They also try the circus, the woods, a cave and even a jungle - but nothing is right. You may have noticed that Bear, isn’t your run of the mill normal brown bear, he is a white bear… or to be more precise, a POLAR BEAR! And where do polar bears like to live? The Arctic of course! But don’t worry, even the long distance can’t stop them from being the best of friends. 

This is another book with cute endpapers adorned with hiding, roaring and jumping out bears. The pages are simply illustrated, with mostly solid colour backgrounds or limited use of colour, which allows the eye to be drawn to the two main characters. The boy and the bear are very cute with their big eyes and you won’t be able to not root for them in finding the right home for bear. Where Bear? is simple, moving, and fun all rolled into one lovely picture book! You and your little ones will love this boy and bear’s journey in finding a place called home.  

Where Bear? is available in all good bookshops and from the Puffin website. Up next, my beartastic interview with the extremeley cuddly Sophy Henn!