Once told by an editor that his illustrations were, “so strange there is not a manuscript to go with them,” Kevin Hawkes has found his way to many a fine manuscript.
From arrogant mermaids, to flying pianos, to library lions, to vomiting sisters, to dueling divas, to wicked big toddlahs, Kevin has blessed kiddie’s lit with his delicious strange.
Speaking last weekend at the New England Society for Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Kevin talked about his childhood in Europe. His father always carried a hatchet in the car for the occasions when heavily vined roadsides could be turned into swings for his children. A few hatchet hacks and Kevin was swinging across the French countryside. “I was Wesley,” he said referring to the character in the picture book, Weslandia who created his own backyard civilization.
Is it any wonder that Kevin so perfectly captures the unique European brand of humorous fantasy displayed in his illustrations of Eva Ibbotson’s chapter books? “I do not need to imagine old castles, “Kevin said, “I played in them.”
Illustration from Kevin Hawkes‘ sketchbook for eeBoo.
