Q&A
Tell us something interesting about yourself:
A few interesting facts:
This is showing my age, but I used to sing in the school choir with the lead singer from the 80’s pop band Tears for Fears.
At school, I took part in a drama workshop with Gandalf the Wizard (the actor Sir Ian McKellen).
I'm teaching myself to play the trumpet (badly).
I got asked for my autograph because someone had mistaken me for a pop star.
I have a very large collection of Beano and Dandy Annuals (which my wife is not particularly happy about).
Current job title:
District School Effectiveness Adviser.
How would you describe your identity?
I identify as Black. When filling in a census I tick “Black British” — however, I suppose I could also tick the category “Mixed or multiple ethnic groups,” as my mother was from Israel and my father's heritage is West African.
Tell us your favourite medium for reading:
My favourite medium for reading is a book. I like to be able to turn back the pages if I want to remind myself of things that have happened in the story.
I just like the tactile and visual experience of actually having a book in your hand — seeing the front cover illustration, turning the pages, even putting in a bookmark to remember your place.
Tell us your favourite location for reading:
In bed, at the end of the day.
Book title:
SuperJoe Does Not Do Cuddles; SuperJoe Does Not Say Sorry.
What inspired your creative process in writing or illustrating your book?
The inspiration for SuperJoe came from playing around with the idea of turning things on their head. We don't expect superheroes to have any perceived weaknesses or vulnerabilities, so I thought it would be interesting to create a character (a superhero) who might really just be like everybody else and have things that they need… like a cuddle.
Favourite character or moment from the book – and why?
I really like Emma’s (Proctor) illustrations and the way she has depicted SuperJoe. I like the little “jokes” that appear in the pictures, which you can miss the first time, but notice as you read the story again.
What themes or messages does your book raise?
SuperJoe Does Not Do Cuddles highlights the need we all have for a bit of love and reassurance.
SuperJoe Does Not Say Sorry highlights the importance of being prepared to admit mistakes and say sorry. It also highlights the positive impact that saying sorry can have on relationships.
How would you describe your artistic or writing style in three words?
Fun; humorous; thought-provoking.
