Emily Hughes was born in Hawaii, USA but lives and works in the United Kingdom.
Her work has been exhibited across the capital and her book Nana Shaped Like a Banana came second in the 2012 Macmillan Prize for Childrens’ Picture Books.
We were so thrilled to publish Emily’s first book, Wild that we’ve teamed up with her once again for The Little Gardener.
We spent a little time with Emily, finding out how she works.
What kind of things inspire you?
I’m inspired by Chinese cinema, the costumes and the colours. Illustrators such as Blair Lent, John Bauer and Gyo Fujikawa are always inspirational. There are so many gems waiting to be discovered in pre-owned book stores, or even in my parents’ vintage stash.
Many of my favorite books growing up were second hand, I loved Arnold Lobel’s Giant John, and Ice Cream Cone Coot and other Rare Birds, DePaola’s Strega Nona, Remy Charlip. Basically books from my parents’ shelves – I love 60’s/70’s children’s illustration.
Tell us a little bit about your working day.
My usual day of drawing starts off with an apple, and I sit at my desk for a couple of hours, playing jump rope with my friends or bustin’ a move in the hallway to break up the time spent hunched over at my desk.