Leslie Patricelli
I live in the mountain town of Ketchum, Idaho. Spaghetti is my favorite food and I wear jeans most of the time. I have no rhythm, but I married a professional drummer! Second to playing with my kids, writing and illustrating picture books is my favorite thing to do.
I’ve been drawing cartoons and writing stories since I was a little kid. Sometimes my pictures and stories were a bit twisted, to say the least. This worried my parents, but I turned out okay.
Before I started publishing books, I had lots of other jobs: I’ve worked as a ski instructor, nanny, copywriter, animator, character designer, and illustrator. I just finished my tenth book for Candlewick Press. And I plan on doing lots more. In fact, I don’t plan on stopping – even after the cows come home.
When and why did you begin writing and/or illustrating children's books?
I always loved both drawing and writing. I wrote stories and created cartoons growing up. By my early twenties, I was set on becoming a cartoonist or a children’s book author/illustrator for a living. I spent lots of time thinking about cartoons and book ideas and sketching them in my sketchbook. I remember coming up with my first complete idea for a children’s book on the chairlift in Telluride in 1995. It was an alphabet book called Peggy Was a Picky Eater. I didn’t get past writing it and doing a few drawings, but I kept it in my head for a long time. During the next few years, I had compiled a collection of dozens of poems and art featuring my “dandelion people,” who were little troll looking guys with questions written around their heads. I wasn’t sure what to do with all these half-baked ideas. Finally, in 1997, I found a children’s book illustration class led by Keith Baker (No Two Alike, LMNO Peas) and Laura Kvasnosky (Zelda and Ivy). In that class, we learned how to put together a mock-up of a book and submit it. I was finally on my way!
What inspires or informs your writing and/or art?
When I had my first baby, I started reading lots of board books. I hadn’t paid attention to board books before that. Luckily, I had a kid who would sit forever if I was reading to him, so I got to read a lot of them. I was inspired by Todd Parr’s simplicity and humor, Lucy Cousins’ bold lines and bright colors, and Nina Laden’s textures and painterly illustrations. More importantly, I was inspired by my own kids! My son, Beck, and my daughters, Tia and Tatum, have provided me with endless content.
What do you want young readers to learn or take away from your work?
Really, I just want them to have a good time reading and laughing. But if they learn something, that’s great, too!
Is there an artist or writer you would consider and mentor and why?
Laura Kvasnosky was my mentor as I learned to write and illustrate books. She looked over all my early work for me and helped me to improve it. When I submitted my first three books, Yummy Yucky, Big Little and Quiet Loud to Candlewick Press (Laura’s publisher), I wrote on the outside of the envelope “Student of Laura Kvasnosky!” I admire Laura’s talent for funny dialogue, beautiful and expressive illustrations, and content that rings true to kids.
Did you have any formal writing or art education, if so, where?
I studied Communications at the University of Washington and took an advertising copywriting class where I un-learned how to write in complete sentences! I took drawing and painting classes at The School of Visual Concepts. I also learned a lot at my jobs. My first job out of college was writing junk mail. I practiced writing captivating sentences about luxury cruises, truck parts and windows! While working at Microsoft, I learned to create animated characters and use the computer for my illustrations. I shared an office with Kevan Atteberry (Tickle Monster), who inspired me to pursue children’s books. We spent lots of time just doodling.
Do you have a favorite published book? If so, what makes it special?
Each one of my books is my favorite at the time I’m working on it. If it weren’t, I would never get through the process of making it! Each one again becomes my favorite when I get to read it to a group of kids and watch and listen to their laughter and responses (such as the often passionately proclaimed, “Boogers are not yucky!”)
What do you want readers to know about you and your work?
I love kids! I love their endless fascination, their single-mindedness, and their pure joy. I think laughter is the best thing in life. I love writing and illustrating books. I hope all of this shows in my work!
