Interview With Satoshi Kitamura

Satoshi Kitamura is the author of multiple stories in Magic Town. He was born in Tokyo, Japan and started work as a freelance illustrator in advertising. His illustrations can also be found anywhere from signage at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, to posters for the Tokyo Underground. Satoshi lived in London from 1983 to 2009, and now lives in Japan. We recently spoke to him about his work. Here’s what he had to say:

What was your favourite book, character or game when you were a child?
‘Astro Boy’ or ‘Tetsuwan Atom’ in the Japanese original title by Osamu Tezuka. Now it’s a classic comic book. It was serialized in a monthly comic magazine when I was a young boy. I loved it so much and still think it is brilliant.

When did you decide to become a writer and illustrator?

In my early 20′s when I started to illustrate picture books for Andersen Press. I think illustrating Hiawyn Oram’s text, ‘Angry Arthur’ made me an illustrator.

Where do you like to write? Do you use a computer, or hand write your stories?

In my sketch book. I write and draw at the same time when I start working on new ideas. Later I use a computer for writing. But for drawing I always use pen and paper.

What are you reading now? Do you read ebooks or book apps?

Japanese translation of ‘Vivir para contarla’ by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The autobiography of the great Colombian novelist.

Do you think kids experience stories differently when they read a paper book or a digital book?

Yes, probably. The experience of reading must be different if it was done with a paper bound book or on the screen. As a matter of fact, I was re-reading Tezuka’s Astro Boy, the book my brother and I bought 50 years ago yesterday. The pages were sun-tanned in brown and almost falling apart. Yet it was the same book that I read again and again when I was 7 years old!

Satoshi’s books in Magic Town include, “Igor, the Bird Who Couldn’t Sing,” “Millie’s Marvelous Hat,” “Pablo The Artist,” and “Me and My Cat.”

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Interview With Author Kes Gray

Kes Gray, author of the Get Well Friends books that are featured in Magic Town, recently sat down with us for a chat. Here’s what he had to say:

What was your favourite book, character or game when you were a child?
“Just William” was my favourite fictional character. He climbed trees, built dens, carried a catapult and imagined himself into all sorts of harmless scrapes and adventures. A boy totally after my own heart.

When did you decide to become a writer?
One morning in 1997 I left my office in London, trudged to Berkeley Square, sat down on a bench, stared at the pigeons and thought, “Do I really want to be an advertising copy writer anymore?” The answer was “no.”

Where do you like to write? Do you use a computer, or hand write your stories?
I  like to write in my tiny, cluttered office at home. It has pictures on the wall.  It has a sideways view of the garden. It has a paper filled recycling box that doubles as a bed for my cat and it has a computer that I one finger type on.

What are you reading now? Do you read ebooks or book apps?
I don’t read. I write instead.

Do you think kids experience stories differently when they read a paper book or a digital book? What is it like to see your stories in Magic Town?
Picture book stories can now be retold in a revolutionary way. Where once there were static images, there can now be movement. Where once there was passive involvement for a child, there can now be full on interactivity. Seeing my characters come to life in Magic Town is  the stuff of new frontiers.

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Author Kes Gray Talks About Magic Town

Author Kes Gray’s “Get Well Friends” series is in Magic Town. You can read and play with “Get Well Friends,” “Zoe The Zebra Hurts Her Ankle,” and “Pedro The Penguin Bumps His Head.” We recently had a chat with Kes, to see what he likes best about Magic Town. Here’s what he had to say.

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