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Like many book author/illustrators, I grew up looking at comic strips and comic books. My favorite strip was Pogo, written and drawn by the
great Walt Kelly. My first job as a "professional" author/illustrator was in junior high school when I made comic books for my classmates. I transformed my teachers into zany superheroes battling even
zanier super villains. I sold the books for a nickel apiece. I also drew a comic strip for the school newspaper where again I lampooned the teachers. They didn't always approve (that's where I learned my first
lessons about censorship). I received my formal training during four years at a private art school in Connecticut called the Paier School of Art. While there, I had some terrific teachers including Leonard
Everett Fisher, Pulitzer Prize winning painter and author/illustrator of over 250 books.
Ideas for my books come from everywhere; movies, other books, music, walks through the woods, mowing the lawn, washing the dishes. Sometimes a
phrase or a title might spark an idea. I have sketch books and notebooks scattered about the house so when an idea hits, I can easily sketch it down. When developing a story, the pictures usually come first. I
see the characters and the setting before the story forms in my head. Then I work the words and pictures back and forth until I have something I like.
One of the great misconceptions about picture book writing comes from the books themselves; they are easy to read, therefore they must be easy
to write. Not true. THE MYSTERY OF KING KARFU, for instance, took three years to put together.
To date I have illustrated over 80 books, 14 of which I have written as well. Eight of those I have authored are mysteries. I had a great
passion for reading mysteries when I was younger and I still do. Like all kids, I loved following the clues and trying to solve the mystery before the detective. My approach to writing mysteries is no different
than my approach to writing other books. I develop a strong protagonist (the detective) and a solid setting before getting started. I might write the ending of a mystery first, the "whodunit" part of
the story. Sometimes, though, I surprise myself. In THE MYSTERY OF THE MONKEY'S MAZE I thought I knew who the thief was...until I finished the book dummy. I suddenly realized that someone else was the real
culprit. I was just as surprised as the reader. I love it when that happens.
There are always surprises in the business of picture book writing and illustrating; the possibility of something unexpected popping up; an odd
character, a new twist on an old theme, the opportunity to experiment with a different painting technique. And for me, these surprises are the greatest joy of writing for children.
AUNT EATER LOVES A MYSTERY is a Reading Rainbow book. My other awards include a notable trade book honor from the National Council of Teachers of English (for KING KARFU), a nomination for the 1998 Garden State Children's Book award (for AUNT
EATER'S MYSTERY CHRISTMAS) and the 1996 Reuben Award for Magazine and Book Illustration sponsored by the National Cartoonists Society (for KING KARFU). A sequel to KING KARFU, titled THE MYSTERY OF
THE MONKEY'S MAZE, which takes Seymour Sleuth to the rain forest of Borneo, was published in spring 1999. In spring 2000 HarperCollins will publish an I Can Read title with a new detective character. •
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About the Author:
I live in Redding, CA with a dog (yellow lab named Zack ) and 1 1/2 cats (one, Conrad, is the full time indoor cat. The
other, Midnight, is an outdoor cat but I am the official owner).
Visit Doug Cushman and see more of his work at http://www.doug-cushman.com
Hello, Red Fox, Simon & Schuster, 1998
Flora and Tiger: nineteen very short stories from my life, Philomel Books, 1997
From Head to Toe, HarperCollins, 1997
The Art of Eric Carle, Philomel Books, 1996
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