Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with extremely talented, Caldecott medalist, author and illustrator Matthew Cordell! His newest illustrated book, FOLLOW THAT FROG, written by Philip C. Stead, came out early this year and is the third book in their picture book trilogy featuring Sadie and and her Aunt Josephine. It has received starred reviews from both Booklist and The Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books, and is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. FOLLOW THAT FROG is a must have for your library. I’m a huge fan of Matthew’s work and I’m thrilled to have him stop by Critter Lit today!
So without further ado, please welcome Matthew Cordell!
Where do you live?
I live in the far northern suburbs of Chicago. A little town called Gurnee.
How many years have you been in publishing?
My very first publishing gig was a middle grade novel called The Gorillas of Gill Park by Amy Gordon. That came out in 2003 from Holiday House so... (takes out calculator) 18 years!
How did you first get published?
My wife, author Julie Halpern, and I were submitting a picture book proposal around to a number of publishers in 2001-2002. One publisher, Holiday House, asked me if I would be interested, instead, in illustrating a middle grade novel. Of course, I jumped at the chance. It was a terrific first project to get my feet wet as an illustrator. Incidentally, the picture book Julie and I were hoping to get published, Toby and the Snowflakes, happily found a home with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (simply called Houghton Mifflin at the time) and was published in 2004.
Do you write/illustrate full-time?
Yes. I worked as an illustrator nights and weekends for 7 years until I made the leap to go full-time in 2007.
What inspires you to create picture books?
I love the audience. Children are tremendously inspiring to me. They are bursting with hope, potential, beauty, and brilliance. Everything is new to them and they are open to new experiences. And they are open and honest about their feelings. It's exciting to create art in this space. I'm a big picture book fan. I love the storytelling dance between words and pictures. Picture books are immensely challenging to make. To create a book that speaks to both a child and an adult is quite the task. When it works, it's absolute magic!
What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?
Up until I met Julie and she suggested the idea of making a children's book together, It had never occurred to me. I'd been an artist in different ways all my life, but I hadn't thought about children's books since I, myself, was a child. I didn't have children in my life at the time. Honestly, initially, it didn't sound very appealing. But Julie won me over by showing me lots of lots of picture books. Her childhood favorites as well as contemporary successes. I was blown away by how incredible picture books could be. I'd completely forgotten! Once I started working with publishers, and sharing books with children, it was all so tremendously inspiring. I loved it. I love it. So... what surprised me the most about working as an author/illustrator? All of it.
What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?
I think it's a tie. Being able to draw everyday for my job. And getting to hang out with kids all the time for my job.
What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?
Being, essentially, a freelance artist, it can be stressful at times, not having the stability of other jobs. Health insurance, regular paycheck, job security, etc. But there's an invaluable freedom in my situation that I wouldn't trade for anything.
What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?
I try to get away from my desk--every day if I can--to go for walks out in nature. It helps to break away from what I'm working on, and to get the blood pumping, and to immerse myself in the outdoors. I love animals and I'm really into birding. I sometimes bring my sketchbook and draw. I often get new ideas and jot them down. I have high cholesterol too, so a daily walk is a win-win.
Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?
I'm very much a creature of habit. I've been drawing with the same brand of ink for years with the same type of pen nibs on the same brand of paper. If I find something that I like, I'm not usually looking around for something different or better. Sometimes, though, I wouldn't mind breaking out of my shell to try new things and experiment with new media and techniques.
Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?
When I was first starting out and didn't know very many people at all, Julie and I were at an ALA cocktail reception. I was standing against a wall feeling and looking awkward as can be. Someone came up and introduced himself to me. He recognized my name on my name tag and remembered some mailers or postcards I'd sent his way. We had a nice conversation and he was very kind about my work. I was genuinely surprised and moved by the gesture he made. It was David Gale, longtime editor at Simon and Schuster. In the years that followed, whenever I saw him at conferences, we would say hello and have a nice chat. Sadly, David passed away last year, but I'll always remember that party and his kindness and the warm welcome he showed when I really needed it.
Recommended reading?
My new, favorite new-to-me book is Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and John Schoenherr. I've been obsessed with owls and owling this winter, and several folks suggested I look at Owl Moon. I knew of it, of course, being a Caldecott medal-winning book, but I had never seen it. (I'm embarrassed to say!) I bought a copy from my local bookshop and it most definitely lives up to the praise. It is a perfect picture book. Perfect text. Perfect art. It really captures the spirit of birding, owling, sharing a magical experience between father and child. I love it so much.
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
Without a doubt, when Wolf in the Snow received the Caldecott Medal in 2018. It was a shock, surprise, explosion of emotions, and it still gets me choked up. It's hard to fathom that a book of mine is part of that rich and wonderful legacy.
What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?
That on top of writing and illustrating, you'll need to work as a public speaker, publicist, amateur educator and mentor, and other unexpected crash course, odd jobs. There are a lot of hats to be worn in this business. Making the books is just one part of it.
Can you tell us about your newest book?
I have two new books that just came out. Bear Island is my newest author/illustrator picture book about a girl, Louise, and her family processing and healing over the loss of their pet dog. Much of it plays out on a lake island that Louise visits and encounters a massive grizzly bear. Follow that Frog! is the third book in a picture book trilogy by Philip Stead and me (the first two being Special Delivery and The Only Fish in the Sea). All three of these books are wild, weird, madcap adventures starring headstrong, unflappable Sadie and her eccentric Great Aunt Josephine. These books are so much fun and were so much fun to illustrate!
Interior art from FOLLOW THAT FROG, written by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Interior art from FOLLOW THAT FROG, written by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Interior art from FOLLOW THAT FROG, written by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell
What’s up next for you?
My next book to come out (September 7, 2021) will be What Isabella Wanted, by Candace Fleming, pictures by me. It's a fascinating picture book biography of Isabella Stewart Gardner, late 19th century world traveler and art collector who built and opened her own museum in Boston at the turn of the century. In the 1990's there was a late night heist where several priceless drawings, paintings, and artifacts were stolen, and the mystery has never been solved.
Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?
Read lots and lots of picture books. Know the past, present, and future--what's coming out next. Having that education of the world of picture books and publishing, and also knowing what you personally like and don't like, is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?
Definitely the original Star Wars Trilogy. (Even though the first film was a 1977 release) I was a huge Star Wars kid and am now a huge Star Wars grown-up.
Huge thank you to Matthew for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited about your upcoming books. Congrats on all your success!
MATTHEW CORDELL is the Caldecott Medal-winning author and illustrator of Wolf in the Snow and Hello Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers, recipient of four starred reviews, and the illustrator of numerous highly acclaimed children's books including Philip C. Stead's books Follow That Frog!, The Only Fish in the Sea, and Special Delivery, which was a Washington Post Best Book. He wrote and illustrated Another Brother, Wish, and Hello! Hello!, a New York Times Notable Children's Book. Matthew lives near Chicago with his wife, author Julie Halpern, and their two children.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Matthew, visit him online: http://matthewcordell.com
or follow him on social media:
Twitter: @cordellmatthew
Instagram: @cordell_matthew
TO ORDER Matthew’s books, ring up your local bookstore or click here.
BOOK GIVEAWAY!
Want a chance to win a copy of FOLLOW THAT FROG?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, April 8th! US addresses only please.