Would you please tell us about the inspiration and creative process behind your most recent publication?
Author: Jeremy Strong
BATPANTS! Is the name of a pet orangutan and the title of my most recent book. I was asked to write a story that included a zany family and animals, and also one that could be turned into a series. That was my starting point. I have always liked writing about families and animals so I was more than happy to take on this brief. As a child I loved animal stories and as a writer, particularly a humourous one, animals have terrific value as lovable, opportunistic creators of chaos. I tried to think of an unusual family, so first of all I decided that the three children would live in a tree house. I had seen some pictures of modern tree houses in a Sunday magazine supplement, which is how that idea came about. In another magazine, months before I knew anything about this commission, I had also seen some strange photos of ‘eco’ children. They were fashion shots, showing several children with twigs in their hair and other ‘wild’ decorations. They looked great, and I based Tilly – the 10 year old narrator, on these pictures. The father trains animals for films and the mother is a stuntwoman in the tv/film industry. So that lot gave me a lot of material to work with! I find that if I can create really strong characters they do help write the story. When it came to animals I wanted something a little different, but still cuddly and cute, hence the orangutan. I also wanted something to echo Tilly’s eco side, so an endangered orangutan seemed a good choice. The eco side of the book is kept minor. It’s never a major issue, but it is a way of raising awareness without it being full on and, perhaps, off-putting for some readers. I have raised eco issues before – in the FAMOUS BOTTOM series for example, especially MY BROTHER’S FAMOUS BOTTOM GETS PINCHED, which features eco-friendly nappies as part of the plot.
Batpants! by Jeremy Strong
What inspired you to start writing children’s books?
I’ve always loved them. As a teacher of primary children I dealt with them on a daily basis and I became aware of a deep lack of stories that 6-9 year old children could read for themselves – just at the point where they were becoming independent readers. So I started writing stories I thought they would like to read and, crucially, would be able to read.
How do you get into the mind of a child in order to write in a way they can relate to?
I have strong memories of childhood, particularly the primary years. I some ways I have a stunted development I guess – I often feel about 8 years old inside! Fortunately it doesn’t spill over into my behaviour – at least not often – so it goes unoticed, except by me.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you started writing children’s books?
That I could have left teaching earlier than I did and made a living from writing!
For a parent who has a child only interested in watching TV what advice would you give them to interest their child in reading books?
Ah, very difficult. I do get a number of letters from grateful parents saying that their child wasn’t interested in reading until they picked up one of my books. I’m sure many authors get such letters and obviously that is heartwarming and encouraging for me. So I could say, give them one of my books! Except of course it might be a different author who finally turns them on. I think this problem is far more commom amongst boys than girls. Boys tend to be interested in funny stuff and facts, so that might help.
How would you involve and educate kids about green issues?
I think that practical activities are always a good way of getting children involved, whether it’s pond-dipping, cooking something, goping on a litter hunt – whatever. The learning comes from doing and seeing. Listening to a good speaker helps of course but hands on experience rarely fails.
My Brother's Famous Bottom by Jeremy Strong
Would you please tell us about your causes or charities you are involved with?
I’m quite involved with the children’s ward at my local big hospital. I go in and talk and read with patients when I can. I sponsor a child abroad, get The Big Issue from our local seller every so often and make on the spur donations from time to time – Haiti, Comic Relief – that sort of thing.
What are your dreams?
Mostly very funny and bizarre. I’m lucky. But on a more personal note I dream of peace and love and freedom for the world. It’s a cliché, but aren’t those the most important of all? (And it starts in our own homes and schools.)
Would you tell us a little about you are working on now?
Doh! Answering these questions! But seriously, I’m working on a big new series. Keep your fingers crossed.
What were your favourite childhood books and why?
Rudyard Kipling’s JUST SO STORIES – animals and beautiful, measured, poetic prose – just wonderful.
A A Milne’s HOUSE AT POOH CORNER. Animals again, in the disguise of furry toys. What a cast – Eeyore, Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Tigger, who could fail to fall about?
Gerald Durrell’s MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIOMALS. Guess what – animals again. And a strange, exotic family.How I wish I’d been born Gerald Durrell. I read almost everything he wrote after my introduction via this book.
How do you keep in touch with your audience?
I have a website: http://www.jeremystrong.co.uk with LATEST NEWS area and also a MESSAGE BOARD where children can make comments, ask questions and so on. I also have a fan club and blog: http://krazyklub.co.uk
I also visit scores of schools across the world, and book festivals and libraries too. I can’t escape my audience. I often involve them in what I’m talking aboout. Their feedback is important and they often give me ideas I can riff on.
