Pirate and Penguin’s Fantastic Journeys Day

Patricia Storms, a long-time illustrator, has branched out into her first ever children’s book with the adventure tale The Pirate and the Penguin. Loosely based on Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper, the book tells the story of Penguin, who wants to see the world, and a pirate who just wants to find a place to call home. Patricia will be performing a play based on her book at Small Print’s Fantastic Journeys Day, an all-day event taking place this Wednesday at the Gladstone Hotel (see bottom of page for details). If you need something to do with your little one this week, head over there for some author readings, activities, and a show by folk band Bellwoods Trinity.

Patricia chatted with Books@Torontoist about Pirate and Penguin’s Antarctic adventures via email.

Torontoist: Tell me about your book, The Pirate and the Penguin?

Patricia Storms: It’s a light-hearted tale about two unhappy misfits who through happenstance meet up and eventually find the lives they were meant to live. One thing I find very interesting is how people interpret the story, now that it’s ‘out there.’ A few months ago, I received an email from a university student in the US who is taking a course called Philosophy for Children, in the students learn to facilitate discussions among elementary school children about philosophical questions raised in children’s books. So this student wanted to write a report about the philosophy in my book. What I found truly fascinating is that her professor suggested that The Pirate and the Penguin could also serve as a moral tale for people with transgender issues.

TO: Where did the inspiration for this story come from?

PS: That was also happenstance. I had made a flippant comment to a writer friend of mine, Liam O’Donnell, that if I really wanted to corner the market in picture books I would write a story about a pirate and a penguin, two very popular icons in kid’s lit. Liam loved the idea, and encouraged me to write the story. It’s certainly not my intention to ‘corner the market’ with this story – as soon as Liam got enthusiastic about my idea, I began to wonder what kind of story I could create with two such different characters. That made the challenge great fun, especially when I began to draw the characters.

TO: How long have you been an illustrator and how did you get into it?

PS: I’ve been a professional illustrator for about 25 years. Getting into this field was also happenstance (as you can see, I like that word). I had always loved to draw, but I just didn’t have the confidence to sell my work back then. Many years ago I was working for McMaster University in one of their libraries, and on a whim I took a cartooning course at the Dundas Valley School of Art. The instructor Stephen Toth was very impressed with my work and basically became my mentor, helping me set up a portfolio, as well as getting me my first illustration gig, which was doing freelance illustrations for the Hamilton Spectator. I did freelance work on the side for many years, working in libraries or in areas of graphic design, until about seven years ago when I finally decided to take the leap and go full-time.

TO: The Pirate and the Penguin is the first children’s book you both authored and illustrated What inspired you to make the leap from illustrator to author and illustrator? How was the creative process different?

PS: I made the leap because I love to write as well as draw. I have many of my own stories bouncing around in my head that I would like to tell. I hope I will get to do more. The creative process is different first because the editor and art director only have to deal with one ego, heh. When I illustrate someone else’s words, I’m called in after the material has already been written (though of course, there’s usually always last minute edits which can alter the art). As the author and illustrator, I have much more creative control, but I still have to confer with the editor and art director—it’s not like I get to do exactly what I want to do, and as someone who is relatively new to this field, I need all the help I can get.

TO: You do all different kinds of illustration. How is illustration for children different?

PS: I find I have much more freedom illustrating for kids. My style is obviously anything but serious, and I have a blast creating silly, nonsensical art. I have always seen the world from a slightly skewed and goofy perspective, so when I get to draw for kids, I feel most like myself. I was the kind of kid who loved humour in books, and I stayed clear of anything preachy or sickly sentimental.

TO: The characters in Pirate and Penguin are named, well, Pirate and Penguin. Why?

PS: I did struggle with this issue when writing the story. Some friends of mine suggested that I really should give the characters names, but I simply could not find any names that truly fit for me. “Pirate” and “Penguin” just felt right for me. Not a particularly profound answer, but an honest one. What I found amusing is that in the French edition of the book, the editors insisted on giving the characters names, which was fine with me, and I didn’t even mind them choosing the names. So in ‘Le pirate et le pingouin’, Penguin is Pépin, and Pirate is Pépé.

TO: Is there potential for a Pirate and the Penguin series? Perhaps another twist on a travel tale?

PS: Penguin has been in contact with Pirate about some possible new adventures, but I’ve had no firm answers as of yet. Crossing fingers, toes and eyes, and anything else you can think of!

Since the event on Wednesday is about stories and songs, who wound provide the sound track to Pirate and Penguin’s adventure?

PS: Good question! I imagine a fusion of Vince Guaraldi’s music with the theme song from Indiana Jones.

TO: Do you have any new projects we can look forward to?

PS: Right now I’m illustrating a fun non-fiction project for Scholastic Canada, and I’m illustrating a promotional bookmark for an online bookstore. I’m also doing lots of writing, and hopefully some of it will one day see the light of day.

TO: You’ve lived in Toronto for a number of years. What’s your relationship with the city like?

PS: I’ve lived in Toronto for 20 years, longer than I’ve lived in my hometown, Burlington, so I definitely consider myself a Torontonian. I landed in the west end, and have been a die-hard west-ender ever since. I love how the Junction is growing and changing into a funky creative community. I also love the Roncesvalles Village, and I worry how the small businesses will survive all the construction happening there right now. Coffee and books are a serious addiction for me, so I enjoy spending time in indie bookstores and unique coffee shops.

Fantastic Journeys Day will take place at the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (1214 Queen St West) on Wednesday, March 17 at 10am. Doors open at 9:30am. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children, free for “non-walkers,” and can be purchased at the door.

Images courtesy Patricia Storms