Interview with Bob Staake
Some people have the gift of being able to communicate ideas and inspire audiences in several industries, in both text and images. It’s particularly exciting when those people draw on their many talents to inspire children with books.
On this edition of Just One More Book!!, Mark speaks with computer artist, illustrator and author, Bob Staake about the role of children’s books in his childhood, how his energy and style helps him produce a picture book in a week and the important relationship of words and images.
Books mentioned
- My Little ABC Book
Selected books by Bob Staake
- The Red Lemon
- Hello Robots
- Pigs Rock
- Mary Had a Little Lamp
Photo of Bob Staake from bobstaake.com.
More than a few parents — mostly fathers — have long dreaded that fateful question: Where do babies come from? It’s a stress that’s been handed down like an heirloom from generation to generation. Why are we so uncomfortable?
Imagine finding treasure in your attic, or the attic of a loved one. I’m not talking about a trunk filled with gold and precious stones. I’m talking about a box filled with the pieces of an amazing and true story.
As an artist, he says that his work in children’s picture books is only a small part of what he does; however, because the books are for children, people may view his work as being of less value. His fine art is powerful and children’s books engaging and, at age 30, a sign of even greater things to come.
As a child, he spent much of his time drawing and stapling stories into little books. His path to eventually becoming a children’s book author and illustrator — and ambassador of learning — included stops as a police officer, restaurant worker, real estate agent and farm worker.
For twenty years, 
One of the amazing things about producing Just One More Book!! is getting geek out on subjects of literature and literacy with the incredible people behind children’s books. One such occasion took place at the Steamworks Brewing Company in Vancouver this past November. Mark had dinner with young adult fiction novelist 
Relatable characters and stories facilitate a strong connection between the reader and the book. It doesn’t matter whether or not the stories are real, only that the reader can relate to the feelings that are core to the story. The same is true for the characters. A great example is Humphrey, the lovable grumpy camel in the picture book, 
I’d always thought the children’s book publishing industry demanded its community to be based in obvious big cities like New York, Toronto and London so it’s exciting to find out that there are amazing children’s book authors and illustrators living in and around Ottawa, Canada, the hometown of Just One More Book!. In fact, locals including 
In many respects, Kevin Hawkes was doomed to become a children’s book illustrator. His childhood was rich with children’s books and the inspiration of Paris with its grand forests and castles. In fact, one constant of his life as a child in a military family was the universal smell of libraries.
On this edition of Just One More Book!, Mark speaks with illustrator and 
On this edition of Just One More Book!, Mark speaks with illustrator 
