Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Maura Finn and Lucinda Gifford!
What a treat to welcome the fantastic duo behind Too Many Cats!, Maura Finn and Lucinda Gifford, with their newest feline adventure; the creepiest, most cat-acular picture book just in time for Halloween – Grandma Murphy’s Pussycat. This sensationally sophisticated lyrical nighttime stroll through the shadows and the gothic-like town, past the eery woods and to the final destination is pouncing with surprises, twinkling with enchantment and oozing with a deliciously spooky suspense as we slink along with our mysterious pussycat figure; who is completely unphased by the terror and taunts that cross his path. The stunningly evocative rich colour palette of deep purples and blacks with pops of brilliant yellow and red eyes (yes, totally spooky!) is lusciously perfect for the hauntingly playful poetic text. It’s definitely giving a Slinky Malinki and Mog vibe, with the added intensity for just the right atmosphere. Grandma Murphy’s Pussycat is completely bewitching for readers young and old.
Thanks for sharing your breathtaking book with us, Maura and Lucinda! And Happy Halloween! 🙂
About the Author
Born and bred in New Zealand, Maura Finn now lives in Melbourne with her husband and two young daughters.
In her early writing days, she ran a rather lucrative playground business, swapping tailor-made poems for lunchbox leftovers. Now, many years later, she has rediscovered the joy and value of picture books through sharing them with her own children, and is delighted to think that her stories may contribute to other children’s love of reading.
Please find Maura Finn at her website: Welcome! – Maura Finn.
About the Illustrator
Lucinda Gifford is a hard-working illustrator who has drawn the pictures for over 40 books, as well as for lots of websites, videos and posters. She has been drawing since she was a toddler in Scotland, when her teacher marvelled at her unusually terrifying sketches of witches.
Now Lucinda lives in Melbourne and has a marvellous job where she gets to draw every day. Lucinda’s favourite things to draw are castles, cavemen and creatures with big teeth or tentacles.
Please find Lucinda Gifford at her website: Lucinda Gifford (lucindagiffordbooks.com) and on Facebook and Instagram | Instagram and Twitter/X
Grandma Murphy’s Pussycat is available for purchase from Affirm Press and local bookstores.
We thank Affirm Press for providing a complimentary copy of this book.
WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?
Lucinda: Maura wrote the text and I created the illustrations. The book is published by Affirm Press.
WHAT is it about?
Lucinda: It’s about a very naughty cat that ought to be indoors, curled up on the mat and occasionally sipping cream from a saucer.
Maura: Nonsense, he is not at all naughty! He is slinky, and mysterious, and entitled to stroll freely in the moonlight (as long as he isn’t harassing the native wildlife).
In truth though, it is the story of one very special cat’s midnight adventure, as he journeys through the town and woods to a secret destination. Through spooky woods and battle scenes he bravely goes, until in the end he reaches his destination, and finds his owner, Grandma Murphy… who just happens to be a witch.
What is your favourite part of this book?
Lucinda: The rats… when they surround our darling kitty. Eeek!
Maura: Yes, this is my favourite part too, the battle scene. I think there is a tendency to stay away from spooky things in picture books, so I am grateful that Affirm were brave enough to let us lean in to the intensity and drama of the story and not water it down (while keeping it safely spooky of course!) – thanks Affirm.
Image credit: Lucinda Gifford
What media did you use to illustrate it?
Lucinda: I used black pencil and black ink to do the lines, and bright watercolour inks to create the coloured backgrounds. Then I composited my artwork digitally to create the final pieces.
WHEN is its release / launch date?
Lucinda: The book is available from 24th September. In time for Halloween.
WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?
Maura: I wanted to write something a bit spooky because that was the type of book I was drawn to as a child. I love playing around with different rhyme schemes, so I attempted to channel the feeling I get from the old-style gothic poems. And who better to be star of such a story than a witch’s cat, out exploring the night!
WHY is this book meaningful to you?
Lucinda: Maura showed me the beautiful, poetic text of this book several years ago, and I loved it then. I’m so happy it’s being published at last, and that I was given the chance to illustrate it.
Why would its message resonate with readers?
Maura: Well, I’m not really sure if it has a message as such. But I hope the air of mystery, and fun, and freedom will be exciting to readers, and lead them on an exciting emotional journey of their own. And I hope the cozy twist at the end warms some hearts, and makes people smile.
How long did it take to write?
Maura: Hmm… it was actually a very tricky one to set up, in terms of building the foundations of the idea and the actual rhyme scheme. But then the words came out in a burst over a couple of weeks. The complexity of the rhyme scheme was a challenge though, and a bit stressful to maintain at times – sort of like a sudoku puzzle.
How long did it take to illustrate?
Lucinda: On and off, it took nearly two years – though much of that time was spent pondering pointy buildings, doodling and staring at cats.
How do you feel about the text / illustrations? Do they convey the feeling or mood you envisioned?
Maura: Yes, I am blown away by the illustrations and they EXACTLY convey the mood and feeling I imagined the book would hold. When you hand over a text it is mostly out of your hands, and it could go in a completely new direction but the colours, the scenes, and the slinky main character himself have all been brought to life perfectly.
Lucinda: I am genuinely very happy with my illustrations. And it’s not often I can say that. Staring at cats actually seems to work!
Please share your some of your favourite promotional ideas for this book.
Lucinda: A little while ago, I shared some of the original artwork for the book in an exhibition. Some of that artwork is on the walls at Brunswick Bound Bookstore in Melbourne. I hope the artworks will ignite some interest in Grandma Murphy’s Pussycat. But really, it’s just great share my illustrations beyond the pages of a book.
The most deliciously spooky and enchanting picture book around! Congratulations, Maura and Lucinda! 🙂
Image credit: Lucinda Gifford
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