The Natural History of Fairies- Q&A with Emily Hawkins and Jessica Roux
We were thrilled to have a read of The Natural History of Fairies by Emily Hawkins and Jessica Roux. Choosing some questions, both creators have taken the time to answer these giving us a unique look into the creation of this delightful book.
Many reviews claim this to be the perfect book for fairy fascinated folk- are you both in that category?
Emily: That’s lovely to hear! When I was growing up I was actually more interested in historical fiction and the idea of being able to travel back in time than in fairies… But I always loved the Flower Fairies books – I was captivated by the artwork and the imaginative worlds Cicely Mary Barker created. Recently I’ve spent quite a lot of time working on books about myths and folklore, and I do find them fascinating. You can see the allure of the idea, passed down through the ages, that what we see before us might not always be the full story…
Jessica: Absolutely! I spent a lot of my childhood outdoors looking for magical creatures, hoping to spot a fairy in the garden or a unicorn in the woods. I loved getting to illustrate their intricate wings and flower homes in particular.
Scrapbook like in design, the illustrations invite the reader into the world of the fairy. How long did it take to illustrate the book so vividly? It is a work of art!
Jessica: Thank you so much! I loved getting to capture the world of the fairies. It took a little less than a year in total. The amazing book designer, Karissa Santos, would send small batches of spreads to work on, so it was spaced out evenly, and I had some time in between batches to relax and work on other things.
Research and Imagination were clearly needed to create this book- which was used more?
Emily: Ooh, good question! It’s hard to say really – they were so entwined. My background is in non-fiction writing and editing, so I usually started with a bit of research, thinking about a particular habitat and the types of creatures that live there, before imagining how the fairies might fit in. Many of these imaginings were based on real science: the fairy life cycle is obviously inspired by the butterfly life cycle, a fairy’s honeycomb bones are based on those of birds, and their different survival adaptations echo those of other creatures. It was so much fun having the free rein to get creative!
Jessica: Most of the research was done by the time the pages came to me to illustrate, so I got to use Emily’s well-researched notes as well as both of our imaginations to come up with what the fairies might look like, what they wear, and their environments. It was a collaborative effort that couldn’t have been done without both research and imagination, but I got to use my imagination more when illustrating.
If you could meet any fairy from the book- who would you like to meet and why?
Emily: I think I’d have to go with the Holly Blue and the Mayblossom Fairy, because Jessica very sweetly based her artwork for these on my two girls. (They’d kill me if I chose differently!) I think the Peacock Fairy, who lives around lavender bushes, would also be great company – these little tykes have got attitude. And I wouldn’t pass up a trip to the Amazon to meet hummingbird fairy – one of the most agile and acrobatic species.
Jessica: I would love to meet the Dryad fairy, nestled among the oak trees! I grew up with a large oak tree in my front yard, and I always thought it looked so magical. And I love the Dryads’ little acorn top hats!
How would you like to see this book used?
Emily: We’ve been bowled over by the reaction so far. It’s been so lovely to see pictures of young fairy-lovers who’ve been inspired by the book to get outside and explore the natural world. The timing of its publication, coming as it has done in the midst of the pandemic, has been interesting. At a time when people have been forced to slow down and make the most of the nature on their doorsteps, the book’s message about spending time outside, discovering, watching and listening, seems to have dovetailed quite neatly with this.
Jessica: I would love to see kids using the book to spend more time outdoors, looking for magical creatures, but also coming away with a deep love and appreciation for nature, flowers, plants, and the environment. Looking closer at the plants that surround us may not show us fairies, but we can learn about how plants grow, make new leaves as well as flowers, fruits, and so much more. If anyone comes away with a greater appreciation for nature after looking for fairies, that would be the best gift.
How important do you feel fairies are to the world of stories?
Emily: They obviously play a key role in myths and folktales: in the landscape of the imagination. In countless cultures around the world, pretty much ever since humans have been telling stories they’ve been telling stories about magical or spiritual beings who are linked to natural places – whether we’re talking about fairies or more generally about nature deities.
These days, I think that the idea of keeping an open mind and allowing yourself the possibility of a little magic is really important – not just for kids but for adults too! Whatever’s going on in the real world, it’s a wonderful thing to be able to open a book and so open a door into a different world where anything’s possible.
Jessica: Fairies are a fascinating and integral part to the folklore and stories of so many different places around the world. Their stories, myths, and legends range from the kind and generous to the mischievous and dangerous. While our fae folk in A Natural History of Fairies are more of the former, all of their stories and histories are a part of a fascinating folklore, entertaining children and adults alike.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!