Patricia Storms - Artist and Author

litkidsmagazine
3 days ago
4 min read

Patricia Storms is an artist, as well as an author and illustrator of over 30 children’s books and humour books, including The Pirate and the Penguin and Never Let You Go. Her most recent authored books are Moon Wishes and Sun Wishes, illustrated by Milan Pavlovic, and The Dog’s Gardener, illustrated by Nathalie Dion. Her books have been translated into French, German, Swedish, Portuguese, Indonesian, Chinese, and Korean. She lives and works in Toronto with her husband, Guy, in a cozy old house overflowing with books and art.

1. Where do you get your ideas from?

It’s a bit of a mix. My ideas often just pop into my head and I have no idea where they come from! Sometimes it can be frustrating, because it’s hard to focus on daily tasks when my brain is really dancing. There’s a good reason why I don’t drive! Other times, my ideas come to me through ordinary conversations with people. I love it when this happens. And I also get ideas when I am half asleep, so I have to wake up and email myself the idea, because otherwise I will forget what just came into my head. My brain is a busy bee!

2. What did you like to write and read as a kid?

When I was young, I loved to write poetry and short stories. I also loved to write funny comics and one-panel gag cartoons (cartoons that you might find in a magazine, like The New Yorker). In fact, I was 12 years old the first time I had my cartoons published in the Toronto Sun (I even got paid $5.00 for each cartoon published!) I read a LOT of comics when I was young. I loved Peanuts, The Wizard of Id, and Mad Magazine. I also read tons of picture books – some of my favourites were Harry the Dirty Dog, Madeline, Curious George, and anything by Dr. Seuss or Maurice Sendak. My sister is also a talented writer and artist, and we spent a lot of time when we were young, creating comic strips based on a very imaginative world that we created together.

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world to do your work, where would you go?

That’s a great question! Well, I’ve always had a fascination with the Royals in England, and I love the English countryside, especially places like Yorkshire. (Part of my family background is British.) I would love the experience of creating in a cottage in Yorkshire, or perhaps in Windsor Castle. My maiden name is Kew, and it might be fun to try creating in Kew Palace, which is a British royal palace within the grounds of Kew Gardens on the banks of the River Thames. I like to keep my options open!

4. If you could pick a single fruit to create a story/artwork/picture around, what would it be?

Mangoes! It’s one of my favourite fruits. My mother is from Jamaica, and I lived there for a year when I was young and have travelled back to Jamaica a few times. Jamaican mangoes are the best! A mango picture book would be fun to write & illustrate!

5. What do you like to do to inspire yourself when you have a block?

I’m lucky that I can also draw. When I’m having trouble with my writing, I like to draw & doodle. It relaxes my brain a lot.

6. What is something in your field that you don't yet know how to do, but you would like to learn?

I have one idea for a Middle Grade novel which would be fun to write, but I have no idea how to write a good Middle Grade book. Almost all my books are picture books so far!

7. What or who was your biggest inspiration to enter your field?

The children’s author Ruth Krauss inspires me. Her writing was quirky and beautiful. I’m also inspired by Maurice Sendak.

8. Does anyone in your family read your books?

Yes. I’m pleased that my nieces & nephew have read my picture books. And now I have two great nephews who will also get to read my books! It’s a wonderful feeling, having the next generation explore my works.

9. Would you share something about yourself that your readers don’t know (yet)?

As well as drawing cartoons, I also love to paint with gouache. I started painting in 2019 and I really enjoy it! I love painting nature, especially foxes.

10. Do you write more than one thing at a time?

Yes. I have many manuscripts in various stages of completion. So if I’m having trouble with one story, I can move to another manuscript, and that way I feel like I am always making progress in my work.

Patricia, thank you for sharing about your childhood inspiration and creative work! Please follow her on social media and check out more information about her books (and publisher) below. Also, you can find some published picture books in our Bookshop. Keep shining!