Catherine Budai
The pair met while working as children’s librarians at Birkenhead Library, where their shared love of storytelling and beautifully crafted picture books inspired this collaboration. With a deep understanding of what makes story time engaging and memorable, Catherine and Clare have created a warm, funny, and uniquely Kiwi tale.
Catherine draws on her background in early childhood education, while Clare brings the story to life with illustrations full of personality and heart.
Do you try more to be original, or to deliver to readers what they want?
A mixture of both. When the long-tailed bat won Bird of the Year my first thought was ‘this would make a great children’s book’. It was such a unique moment and a story I knew hadn’t been told before. However, as a former children’s librarian and teacher, I know that there are certain elements which seem to capture the attention of both children and adult readers alike, so I try to incorporate those hooks.
What is it about your chosen genre that you love?
I’ve been a big reader since childhood, and that love of children’s literature is something I never really grew out of. I especially love the sense of psychological satisfaction that comes from reading children’s books written in rhyme. I read a lot of Dr. Suess to my sister who has autism when I was growing up, so perhaps there’s a nostalgic appeal for me as well.
Do you prefer typing or scribbling ideas by hand?
My first drafts are generally scribbles in a journal but they get refined later with typing. However, a big part of the process doesn’t happen while I’m sitting down with either a pen or keyboard. If an idea has taken root, then I’m continuously thinking about it as I go about my day. Some of my favourite parts of Matt the Bat were ‘written’ while out for a walk.
Which authors are you inspired by?
Lynley Dodd and Joy Cowley were favourites growing up, who continue to inspire my work. Lynley Dodd was particularly inspirational when Clare and I started talking about the style of the illustrations for our book. While there are human characters in her stories, the illustrations make it clear that the animals are the main event – you never see a person’s face. While people feature in ‘Matt the Bat’, we wanted the bats and birds to retain the focus of the story.
Julia Donaldson is an absolute GOAT, and I adore Giles Andreae’s ‘Giraffe’s Can’t Dance’. The list could go on – there are so many amazing authors and illustrators to be inspired by.