Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Tom Jellett!
It is with huge privilege to welcome one of Australia’s best-loved illustrators to our blog, and that’s being modest! The legendary Tom Jellett is here to share his newest picture book – and it’s super exciting that he is the author, too! The Train at the End of My Street is the most magical train adventure you’ll hop into (and it’s all based on reality, not from some wizarding world). Little train enthusiasts will get swept up in the rush of watching the old trains, new trains, colourful trains, freight trains and steam trains whizz by the station. Then we get to come along with the young narrator and family as they board at Minty Bay and journey through the suburbs to the city, noticing all the fascinating nuances of the crowds and stations they pass by. Classically iconic Tom Jellett illustrations with his Australiana flair (although train-lovers are universal) and simple first-person storytelling format makes the travel of this reading adventure such a delight from the first endpapers to the last.
Thank you for stopping at our platform, Tom! Your trains are marvellous – we love them all! 🙂
About the Author-Illustrator
Tom Jellett is a Sydney based illustrator. For over twenty years he has illustrated a number of books for children, including My Dad Thinks He’s Funny by Katrina Germein, Why I Love Footy by Michael Wagner, Whale in the Bath by Kylie Westaway and the Besties series with Sporty Kids author Felice Arena. His work can also be seen in a number of magazines and newspapers, including editorial illustrations for The Australian and The Weekend Australian. Tom is the sole creator of his new picture book, The Train at the End of My Street.
Please find Tom Jellett at his website: About Tom – Tom Jellett.
The Train at the End of My Street is available for purchase via Affirm Press.
We thank Affirm Press for a complimentary copy of this book.
WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?
Me, me and Affirm Press.
WHAT is it about?
Trains, trains and then some more trains. Watching trains, catching trains, riding trains and doing it all again the next day.
What is your favourite part of this book?
The endpapers. It is always a treat to have full colour endpapers for a book…it is like having extra pages to tell your story.
What media did you use to illustrate it?
A combination of Prismacolor pencil and digital (mainly Procreate on the iPad and Photoshop).
WHEN is its release / launch date?
29th of April.
WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?
Living very close to a train station, and many trips to watch trains from the overpass with my children when they were way, way younger.
WHY is this book meaningful to you?
It is my second ever picture book. (As an author as well)
Why would its message resonate with readers?
Anyone who enjoys watching trains from the overpass or catching a train will enjoy this book, I hope.
HOW long did it take to write?
At first, not too long. Getting it right took a lot longer. It would have taken even longer without Melissa’s help (the editor).
How long did it take to illustrate?
It always takes me a lot longer to illustrate. There was a lot of research on trying to get the trains just right, as well as tiny details on train stations that we walk past every day.
How do you feel about the text / illustrations? Do they convey the feeling or mood you envisioned?
I hope so! I still find it quite exciting catching a train (whether to sit upstairs? Or downstairs?) and hopefully some of that excitement is conveyed in the drawings.
OTHER information or experiences you’d like to share?
(I usually sit upstairs)
Haha, good choice! Thanks so much, Tom! It’s been a hoot (or maybe a toot toot!)! 🙂
#thequicksixinterview #thetrainattheendofmystreet #trains #trains #trains #picturebook #justkidslit
