Tom Tinn-Disbury shares Worm's Big Dig!
About Author
Interview
Q&A with Tom Tinn-Disbury: Shout-out for worms Worm's Big Dig!
"Picture books gave me the opportunity to create like a mini movie. I choose the shots,
camera angles, design the characters and write the story and dialogue."
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself - loves, loathings and what inspires you?
I grew up in Dover, Kent. A lot of people think its just a place where you catch the ferry to France but people actually live there! So I think because of this I have a lifelong love of the sea and being by the sea. Which is a pain because I now live in Rugby, which is smack bang in the middle of the country!
I am inspired by movies, specifically animated movies. Spy and sci-fi novels and other picture books. My kids are 12 and 10 now, so a bit old for picture books, but that doesn't stop me from buying loads of them.
I also have two silly dogs, one old girl called Wilma and a Bedlington Whippet called Billy. Taking them for walks is probably where I get the majority of my writing done. Just strolling with them seems to get my cogs turning. Loathings? Sweetcorn - and arrogant people!
2. You trained in animation, so what brought you into creating your own stories and picture books?
I love animation, especially stop-motion animation. The artistry in it just amazes me. I was very good at the drawing and story creation side of animation but I wasn't very good at the actually animating part!
I found picture books gave me the opportunity to create like a mini movie but without animating it! I choose the shots, camera angles, design the characters and write the story and dialogue.
3. What happens in your new picture book, Worm's Big Dig?
Its the story of a plucky but fretful worm who has to keep burrowing further and further into the Earth to escape diggers, then a mole, and eventually loads of ants, to find a new home.
4. What inspired this VERY big dig? And why did you decide to make a worm your main character?
Like a lot of my stories, it started as a doodle of a grumpy worm. I liked it, so I tried to think what would have made him grumpy and I settled on that fact that diggers had destroyed his patch of soil and it went from there.
5. Readers will hear an authorial voice through the story, encouraging Worm to keep going - "I think you can do this, I believe in you, Worm." Why did you decide to include this?
It's a technique I have seen in a few other picture books and I thought it would be fun to try here. I like the fact that kids will almost think that Worm is alive and reacting to them directly as they go through the book.
6. What might Worm's adventures inspire in young readers? (Perhaps a new-found respect for worms?)
Yes, of course. How amazing they are and also a sense of determination. Worm never gives up, no matter how hard it becomes.
7. Will they learn something about worms in the real world in Worm's Big Dig?
The end of the book has some great Worm facts. Even I didn't know how amazing they are and what they can do.
8. There are lots of funny moments through the story - any favourites?
The dragon and unicorn skeleton at the back always make me chuckle. Also the fact the unicorn poo is sparkly!
9. You illustrated the story as well as writing it - is it challenging to make a worm look appealing as a character?
I think its all in the eyes and the way Worm contorts his body. Its surprising how much you can do with those things. Eyes and eyebrows are always the part of an illustration that I will fret over, they do so much to convey emotion that you have to get them right.
10. When you're not creating picture books - are you an adventurer like Worm or more of an armchair traveller?
I am an adventurer BUT I do like to come home to my favourite chair! A bit of both I would say. I love the beach and walking my dogs but I also love going to the movies and getting cosy with a book.
