Meet a Chirp Author and Illustrator

Hi Readers,

Canadian author and illustrator Mike Boldt wrote the story in this month’s issue of Chirp. We asked Mike a few questions about his job.

1. Mike, when did you start drawing?

I started drawing when I was 6 yrs old, around the time I started school. I used to take out How to Draw books from the library and scribble for hours!

2. What is your favourite thing to draw?

I love to draw the same things I did when I was a kid: animals, people, made-up creatures and places. I enjoy drawing funny things you don’t normally see, like an alligator wearing a hat.

3. What is your favourite thing to tell kids who want to be story illustrators?

If you are drawing pictures that tell a story, then you already are an illustrator! Now you just need to practise. Draw all the time and draw lots of things. And read lots of books to get your imagination going.

4.What were your favourite books when you were young?

I loved reading books by Bill Peet, a Disney animator, and Bill Watterson, the creator of Calvin and Hobbes. They had a huge impact on my imagination.

Check out Mike’s website to see what other projects he’s working on: http://www.boldtmanstudios.com/gallery/

Keep on reading!

Jackie, Chirp Editor