Beatrice Blue
About Author
Beatrice Blue is an author/illustrator and art director working in publishing and the animation industry.
Her books have included Once Upon a Dragon's fire, Wonder, the art and practice of Beatrice Blue, and the critically acclaimed Once Upon a Unicorn Horn.
She has worked with companies including Dreamworks TV, Hasbro, Procreate, Harper Collins, Nickelodeon and Lonely Planet among many others.
Her first book, Once Upon a Unicorn Horn, was been translated into more than 10 languages in one year and wasn nominated for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2020.
She continues to work on picture books and a TV series.
Interview
ONCE UPON A DRAGON'S FIRE
FRANCES LINCOLN
MARCH 2020
ONCE UPON A DRAGON'S FIRE, a new picture book by author and illustrator BEATRICE BLUE, shows us how dragons found their fire... It is the second book in a series (Once Upon a Unicorn's Horn) exploring how magical creatures got their special gifts, and covers themes such as inclusion, friendship and not judging people - or creatures! - by how they look.
We asked author and illustrator BEATRICE BLUE to tell us more about ONCE UPON A DRAGON'S FIRE:
Q: What brought you into creating picture books? Your other job is 'visual development' - can you tell us what that involves?
A: Ever since I was a little kid, I've wanted to tell stories. Creating picture books feels like having an open door where everything can exist. Visual development is, in a way, very similar.
Being a visual development artist means that things that are written but yet non existent visually can be created so that we can see how that world, character or object looks like.
Q: Your picture books, Once Upon a Unicorn's Horn and Once Upon a Dragon's Fire, both look at magical beings. Is that what would entice you into stories as a child?
A: Mostly, yes! I loved reading stories from Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling, The Grimm Brothers, Perrault, and so many more. Specially in rainy days.
Q: ...And why did you decide to use 'Once Upon a' as part of the title for each book? Will you create more 'Once Upon A...' picture books?
A: I had a story called 'Once Upon a Story Storm' saved from a few years back. My editor Katie Cotton gave me the idea of introducing that into these new stories. And it was a great idea!
And yes, we are currently working on the third one of the series!
Q: Was there any one thing that helps inspire your new picture book, Once Upon a Dragon's Fire, about a girl and boy who seek out a dragon that the villagers fear?
A: It inspired me to think about some of the kids from back to when I used to go to school. Some of them would have fewer friends and lots of people would not even speak to them because of their looks or similar things.
I always felt like if they only got to know them they would realise they were absolutely amazing kids. I based this book on the prejudice and tried to show how things, creatures and people can surprise us if we just listen to them and see them with our own eyes.
Q: The story has much to say about the power of stories, why did you want this to explore this in the picture book?
A: Because I wanted to link it to how strong a piece of information can become if we all just believe on it. However good or bad can be. Sometimes we just believe things because everybody says or thinks so. And most times, those stories are not entirely right but wrapped in someone else's opinion.
Q: Your characters also reflect on how small acts of kindness can lead to big changes. Do you want to help empower children to make their own changes in their lives?
A: Absolutely. That is one of my number one goals. Choices make changes. Every single person has the ability to make a choice, every choice can make a difference.
Q: What for you is your favourite part of making a picture book?
A: Seeing the reaction of the readers once the book is starting to be out in stores. Makes all the hard work worth it and makes me want to make more and more stories.
Q: Are there any illustrators who have helped to inspire your work?
A: Lots of them. Specially classical ones.
Q: How do you create your images? Do you have a favourite spread?
A: Well I first start with a loose sketch of an idea, and draw it again and again until it looks how I like it, and until it tells the story that I want. After that I do several color tests and then I paint it!
I think my favourite spread from Dragon is the gatefold reveal in the middle. As for Unicorn, probably the illustration of June with a map about to go into the forest.
Q: Are the endpapers in Once Upon a Dragon's Fire genuine doodles from your sketch pad?
A: Yes they are!
Q: Can you describe your studio, where is it based? What are you working on now?
A: Well, I am currently in the process of moving again. So I don't have a studio at the moment. But my studio a few weeks ago was in Montreal -Canada - and was full of plants, natural light and wooden floors. It was near a garden full of birds and squirrels and animal sounds. It smelled like flowers and fresh brewed coffee, and had paintings all over the walls.
I am currently working on the third book of the 'Once upon a...' series along with illustrating another picture book. I am also starting to art direct a new upcoming TV series.
Q: What are your favourite escapes from work?
A: Going out to explore with my doggy Jungle and my husband Dani, traveling and learning new cultures, talking to people and listening to their stories, making music and rock climbing.
Once Upon a Dragon's Fire
