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Back to Featured Interviews >> MEET JOHN SCHINDEL
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| John Schindel |
I was a film editor in the production department at Weston Woods Studios (now part of Scholastic). The studio adapted some of the great picture books into animated films. I was always impressed by how the authors and illustrators conveyed so much with so few words and pictures. Those books and their creators made a lasting impression on me, and one day many years later I found myself giving writing a try. Every publisher rejected my first picture book but one editor sent me a valuable critique. I rewrote the story and after more rejections WHO ARE YOU? was published in 1991 by Margaret McElderry Books. I went on to publish six more picture books.
What gave you the idea for your BUSY board book series?
I had sent Tricycle Press a mock-up for a whimsical 32-page photo-illustrated book about penguins. It confused them because the photographs made the book look nonfiction but the text was fiction. In the middle of the book was a section they thought had potential to be published in board book form, and wanting to get into board books they asked me if I was willing to let go of everything else – 75% of what I had done – and take the board book concept further. BUSY PENGUINS was published in 2000. The series now has over a dozen titles.
How do you choose the BUSY book photographers?
I start with extensive internet research. This seems simple but there’s an overwhelming amount of material out there. I narrow my selection down to photographers who have plenty of coverage of a particular animal, a promising collection of good action shots, a nicely designed web site, and preferably some publishing credentials. Over time one photographer starts to stand out who has what I need to pull the book together and also expresses a lot of excitement about the project.
What comes first, the text or pictures?
I can’t ask a photographer to fly back to Africa or wherever and pop off a few extra shots because I have a particular rhyme in mind so always start with the pictures. For some of the books I’ve sifted through over 500 photographs in search of the right combination of 16 images to use in the book. It’s a kind of writing that relies on seeing visual connections and having good visual recall.
Have any of your books earned special recognition?
Some BUSY titles received awards but the most special recognition was for this double-page spread in BUSY PENGUINS: “Penguin pooping, penguins drooping.” We received loads of enthusiastic reviews, all of which helped launch the series.
What books influenced you most when you were growing up?
My mother strongly encouraged reading and made visits to the public library almost as much fun as going out for ice cream. My favorite picture book writer has always been Ruth Krauss. Her books are wonderfully imaginative and eccentric. But what influenced my work on the BUSY books was National Geographic magazine, 180 degrees away from Krauss!
Did anything else influence your career?
Growing up, one of my hobbies was photography. I took pictures of everything – cars, billboards, people, fire hydrants, landscapes, you name it. This definitely contributed to my ending up working on photo-illustrated books. I don’t shoot much these days which is why I don’t illustrate my books.
Do you do other types of writing?
I’ve been asked many times if I’ll ever write a novel but love working on projects that require illustrations to make the book complete. The fusion of text and pictures gets my juices flowing.
What are you working on now?
More BUSY books!