Interview with Kate Coombs author of HANS MY HEDGEHOG

[sybilnelson]

Today we have a special treat. An Inkie gets to interview one of our own! Kate Coombs is releasing an adorable retelling of Hans My Hedgehog, a classic Grimm’s Brothers Fairytale. This children’s tale is illustrated by John Nickle and is being released by Atheneum.

Comments

Great Interview!

[jen_wrote_this]

I found it interesting that revisions for picture books are often a lot more involved and intensive than they appear on the surface. Congratulations on this release - it sounds absolutely charming!

Re: Great Interview!

[katecoombs]

Jen, I kept getting new editors (4!), and each one would say, "I know so-and-so signed off on this, but I have some ideas...." It was a little harrowing, but the book turned out well when all was said and done. Another secret about picture books is that when the text and the illustrations don't agree, the author is often the one asked to make a change, not the illustrator. (Illustrators are the rock stars of the picture book world, probably because the really good ones are relatively rare.)

[cindachima]

Great interview! Looks like a lovely book!

[keelyinkster]

Thanks for a great interview, it's always fascinating to learn how other writers work, and the book looks and sounds adorable - can't wait to read it!

[anesbet]

I grew up on vast quantities of fairytales (absolutely every color in the Lang series, plus Grimm and Andersen and the Arabian Nights), and I remember always being especially haunted by the ones where the edge between human and animal was blurred somehow....

And to think I forgot about Hans My Hedgehog being a fiddler!

I can't wait to read this story, Kate.

AnneN

[katecoombs]

Anne, true confessions--in the Grimms' version, Hans plays the bagpipes. The illustrator wanted to change it, and it really works better for the final scene. (Plus the fiddle is bright red, which I love!)

Anyway, thanks, you guys--and especially Sybil!

[anesbet]

Ah, bagpipes!!

Well, bagpipes *are* cute, but not as cute as that red red fiddle.

:)

[amygreenfield]

promising to give... the first thing they saw when they got home

That story element always gets to me, too.

Thanks for the great interview! It looks like a wonderful book, red fiddle and all.