Leigh Hodgkinson is a children’s author, predominantly known for her picture books, who has been published by hugely respected publishers such as Oxford University Press, Simon & Schuster, Nosy Crow, Bloomsbury and Orchard Books. We took the opportunity to catch up with her shortly after the release of her latest book, Martha Maps it Out in Time, which is the brilliant follow up to the hugely successful Martha Maps it Out, to find out all about her new release plus more about Leigh’s writing inspirations, TV work and plans for future books!
‘Martha Maps It Out In Time’ is fantastic for introducing young children to the concepts of history, change, and timelines in a fun and engaging way. How did you come about creating it and was there a particular thing that gave you inspiration for it?
When I was a kid I always liked a spooky story we always used to tell around campfires and at sleepovers- it was about a street, and in that street there was a house, and in that house there was a room, and in that room there was a cupboard…. I liked the idea of a narrative that was just a zoom in, and with each zoom in you get more and more information. That idea combined with the fact I love maps, seemed to gel as a concept. As maps are fundamentally about scale, representation and information- but they are also a way of telling stories in a non-linear way (which I find interesting as it gives some autonomy to a child looking at the book as they can pick out the details that they are interested in). I think being a small child in a big world is very overwhelming- so in the first Martha book- I wanted to use this idea as a way to help children feel rooted and connected to their world and their communities. And in the second Martha book, I focused on exploring time (which is also a tricky thing for small children to process). How our world has changed so much over the years. How big moments in natural history are important but so are the little ones that we experience too.
Do you envisage there being more Martha books? Is this potentially just the start of a longer series of books?
The thing about maps is they can be used in so many ways. They are just a different creative tool in exploring ideas and thoughts in a visual way… which when you think about it is perfect for a picture book! There will be a third Martha book (which I am due to start shortly) which is very exciting! I can’t give too much away but there will be maps, there will be Martha, there will be curiosity and wonder… and oh yeah there will be Space Monkey too!
Who do you think should read Martha Maps It Out In Time? (Who is your target audience?)
I don’t think I ever really think about target audiences… Maybe I should?! I think I just intuitive create books that I like, that me as a child would have liked (which actually is the same thing as the good thing about being a children’s picture book author/illustrator is that you don’t really have to grow up and you still see the world through the eyes of a child). I guess my Martha Maps it Out in Time book is for anyone who is interested in our world and is thinking about how they fit into it. The book helps to give big things (like dinosaurs, the big bang etc) context, to help to understand how everything is connected. Maps are a great way of connecting these things and other intangible things (like thoughts and feelings) in a visual way. This I think can be a useful springboard to conversations in families or at school.
Congratulations on being shortlisted for the 3-6+ category in the 2024 UKLA Book Awards for Martha Maps It Out (the prequel to Martha Maps It Out In Time)! How did it feel to have your work recognised in this way?
It was really lovely! I never really win things or feel like I am in that world. A lot of my time (when I am not out and about doing events) is quite hermity and quiet. I work in my garden cabin and am really focused. So to have an opportunity to see that my work is appreciated and that people get what I am trying to do is really rewarding and helps to keep pushing me forwards. Also at those sorts of things I am so inspired and amazed at all of the other authors and illustrators. How we all as humans are so visually and narratively creative in such different ways. So it is very wonderful to be part of that.
When did you start your journey as a writer and illustrator and was it always your aim to create children’s stories?
I have been creating stories/characters/worlds in various ways ever since I was a kid. I think it was my way of processing my thoughts and feelings about things I had experienced or perhaps things I didn’t understand. Me being a writer and illustrator now- I think is just a continuation of that. When I look back at the books I have written, even though some might seem whimsical or funny- their heart always comes from something that is deeply important to me. Something that I might have been struggling with or something I needed when I wrote the book, or something that was difficult for me or something I experienced when I was a child. (Ie identity, feeling different, belonging, empathy, grief).
Which other children’s authors do you particularly enjoy reading?
As a child I always loved Roald Dahl (I actually wrote my degree thesis on him!). Also Enid Blyton, Judy Blume and Sue Townsend (“The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole” was such a favourite of mine and I read it so many times that it fell apart). These days, I love the worlds and characters that Cressida Cowell creates (“How to Train your Dragon” obviously! But my favourite is “Wizards of Once”. I love her combination of words and illustrations). I also really love the hilarious anarchy of Andy Stantons “Mr Gum” books. (They actually make me guffaw with laughter). I adore the idiosyncratic nature of Alex T Smith’s books. (Always such a delight!). I loved reading Peter Brown’s “Wild Robot” books (and have just watched the film too!) Other stunning books are Katie Applebruams “The Life and Times of Lonny Quicke” and “Truufriend”. Also the surreal and funny brilliance of Matty Long’s “Super Happy Magic Forest” is nothing but utter joy. I also love the books of Jarvis, Beatrice Allemande, Delphine Durand, Emily Hughes, Marta Altes and Tor Freeman. We read a lot of graphic novels in our house and a firm favourite is Isobel Greenberg. (“Glass Town” and “One Hundred Nights of Hero” are completely beautiful).
How did teaming up with OUP come about?
I wrote the initial “Martha Maps it Out” story around 2019 and my agent (Caroline Walsh at David Higham Associates) took it around to share with publishers. A few different publishers were interested in it but wanted to take it in a different direction (which I felt weakened the core idea). But an editor from OUP seemed to get what I was trying to do and so took it on. Working with OUP has been such a positive experience and I am so happy they are publishing these books. They are so creatively committed to the project and do a fantastic job of getting Martha out there in terms of publicity and involvement with festivals and school events. I feel very lucky!
How did the opportunity to get involved with children’s TV occur and what was the process involved in getting to the stage of seeing your creation on the screen?
I studied Animation at university and when I left I went to the National Film and Television School to study Animation Direction. Before I started making picture books I worked in the animation industry as a director/designer/animator for TV and film. My husband Steve Smith is an animation director and producer and has his own company (Beakus.com). We co-created “Olobob Top” (an animated series for Cbeebies) in 2017 after an idea I had about creative play and how important it is for children. I wrote a lot of the story outlines and art directed the show and Steve directed and produced it. This was after about 4 years of development and trying to find funding partners. I am amazed anything ever actually gets made as it is so hard. Especially if you are a small indie company. The emotional and creative process of original idea to finished tv show is much the same as making a book- except there are WAY more people involved! You constantly have to balance on the line of not being too precious and being able to look at the bigger picture- and knowing what is important enough for you to dig your heels in and fight for.
Are you able to give us a hint as to what readers can look forward to from you next?
At the moment I am just finishing my first graphic novel (which has been an epic learning curve!) It is semi-autobiographical, about a difficult time I had when I was at secondary school. I think it will be out next year and I really hope that people like it! And then next (as I mentioned before) I will be making the third Martha book with the fabulous folk at OUP… I can’t wait!
