Author & Illustrator Focus: Chris McKimmie

Chris McKimmie is a writer, illustrator and artist. His career has had several phases. In the 1970s he worked as a graphic designer and publications designer for the ABC, the National Parks and Wildlife Services and the University of WA Press. As well, he wrote, illustrated and designed a series of 8 children's books as well as designing many book covers. Later he moved to Queensland and established the illustration program at the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University.

He has also applied his skills, knowledge and experience to film. In the 1980s he was production designer for the award-winning short film 'Stations' (1983) and the feature-length film 'Australian Dream' (1986). He also wrote the lyrics for the songs in both films, as well as 'Madness for Two' (1982), 'Top Enders' (1987) and 'Waiting' (1990). These films were written and directed by his wife, Jackie McKimmie.

Throughout his career he has also exhibited paintings and drawings at many Australian galleries. The last ten years have been a particularly fruitful time for him with children's literature and he has written and illustrated a number of wonderful children's picture books (see the full list at the end). The picture books he has written and illustrated can be recognised immediately by their deceptively simple style. This is a style that reflects careful attention to varied techniques honed over many years working as an illustrator in varied genres. He makes his images using acrylic on MDF, ink, watercolour, gouache, pastels and any other materials that seem like a good idea. I always feel as I read his books that here is an author and illustrator who seems to have a special way of getting inside the heads of his readers to set off sparks of imaginative energy.

Chris has received a number of awards for children's books including being shortlisted by the Children's Book Council of Australia for 'Two Peas in a Pod' (2011), 'Special Kev' (2009), and 'Brian Banana Sunshine Duck Yellow' (2007).

For more on Chris McKimmie's background read the interview I conducted with him at the end of this post.

Brief reviews of some of his recent picture books

'Crikey and Cat', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, 2014

Like all of Chris McKimmie's picture books 'Crikey and Cat' is aimed at inquisitive, creative and imaginative readers. It challenges them to think outside the square. Like all of his books he leaves 'space' for young readers to do their own thinking. If the stars suddenly disappeared, what would you do? With a ladder, a tape, and some late night cutting, the problem is solved! "Nice". But then, along comes the storm.... (you should read on). It is a wonderful blend of McKimmies delightful simple images, and just enough words to stimulate young and old brains. Wonderful!  Suitable for readers aged 3-6 years.

Scarlett and the Scratchy Moon', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, 2013

Scarlett can’t sleep again. The moon is scratching the sky, and she’s counting sheep. Scarlett is also sad because her pet dogs, Holly and Sparky, have died. But then a surprise comes to the door and the world seems new again.

'Alex and the Watermelon Boat', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, 2012

This book was inspired by his experience living through the Brisbane floods of 2011.  The flood provides the setting for a small boy's search in a 'watermelon' boat for his special stuffed rabbit. The river had burst its banks. The dam was overflowing. 'Don't go outside, Alex!' Mum shouted. But just then Rabbit hopped out the open window ...

Good Morning Mr Pancakes', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, 2011

It's holiday time for Bee. But first the chooks need their toenails painted, the dogs and cats need their bags packed and Gregor needs enough greens for a week. Then Bee is off to the island.

Two Peas in a Pod', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, 2010

From the inside front cover Chris McKimmie had me in. What might the four dwarves mean? I didn't think this was a book about dwarves?! No, it's about a boy and girl, like 'two peas in a pod', whatever that means. Violet calls her friend Marvin 'Marvellous' and they do everything together. Like watching the clouds to discover cotton wool castles and marshmallow kingdoms. Or catching the train in their lounge room to Toowoomba, Dimboola, Woop Woop and beyond. They live in Raven Street and you never know what they might encounter - ghosts, dwarves, woolly elephants? When Marvin leaves Violet for the plane trip home, it's always lonely. But luckily, Mum and T Rex are there waiting. I just love this book!

Special Kev Christopher', McKimmie (written & illustrated), East Melbourne: Allen and Unwin, 2008

If only my Mum had called me 'Special Kev' (funny thing is that strangers often call me 'Kevin', but that's my story). Trevor ('Special Kev') was always going to be different. He was born on April Fools Day and had different qualities to all of his "eleventy million cousins". With curly red hair and freckles he'd be noticed all right. Kevin seems to have a life with plenty of problems (like 'the thing with Nicky Bathgate) and it's never his fault. No, it was Fatty Boombah's, Nicky's, or Megan the Meanie's. Only Aunty Pav - who like Kevin is unique - seems to offer him a lifeline. This special book about a special child, has lots to say about difference, friendship and family. As with all McKimmie's books, it offers an opportunity for joyous fun with young children, but there is always a deeper point that awaits the reflective reader.

Maisie Moo and Invisible Lucy'. Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, 2007

The funny and tender story of Maisie who lives with her parents in the Gone Bonkers Discount Palace. She shares her troubles and joys with her invisible friend, Lucy, and misses her father who is often away driving his truck.

Brian Banana Duck Sunshine Yellow', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), East Melbourne: Allen and Unwin, 2006

A wonderful, innovative, quirky picture book about a child's search for identity and the need to belong - and a glorious celebration of the colour yellow.

An Interview with Chris McKimmie

1. Most of your published profiles don’t say a lot about you. Where did you grow up? What were your early influences? Are there people who helped to shape the Chris McKimmie who writes and illustrates such interesting picture books?

I was born in Perth, Western Australia and I am the youngest in a family of five. I grew up surrounded by aunties and cousins. Every Christmas we would gather around two trestle tables at my Italian grandmothers place two doors up. She had twelve kids, including my mother. The aunties, uncles and cousins would drink, play the piano accordion and sing and watch my grandmother have her one cigarette a year on her birthday which was also Christmas day.

At school we didn't have art. We had tech drawing which I would always get smudged and crooked. I didn't like school much and was glad to get out. My last year at school was spent listening to the top 40 hit parade and plotting the course of various songs and playing along on my homemade drum kit. When I left school after just scraping through I bought a sparkling red Premier drum kit and played in bands at weddings, twenty firsts, nightclubs and the one jazz club in Perth. Then I went to Sydney where I met Jackie.

We both returned to Perth and studied there and had our first son while we were students. I studied Graphic Design with electives in painting and drawing and I finished my studies a year before Jackie and worked at the West Australian University Press as a book designer. Every pay day I would buy a children’s book for our son. This was my introduction to picture books. I realised that as long as a book had a certain honesty to it that it served a purpose one way or another and at some time or other.

When Jackie finished her studies we moved to Sydney and had our second son. I worked various jobs cleaning and then as a designer at National Parks and Wildlife and the Australian Broadcasting Commission. Then I took a year off to help raise the boys and write and illustrate some children’s books while we both worked part-time. The 8 books I wrote, designed and illustrated were published by Hicks Smith and Methuen and sold internationally. In 1976 we moved to Queensland so I could take up a job offer from the Queensland College of Art. We planned on staying a few years but have been here a bit longer than that. Up until 2001 I was the convenor of the illustration programme at the college. Since I left I have been working on stories and books and paintings for exhibitions.

2. Do you love story as much as illustrating? Do you see the words in your books as just as important as the images?

Yes. I work on both together and change them as the story develops. Sometimes getting rid of some pretty good pictures. Sometimes getting rid of some pretty good writing. I also design all my books and I see that as a valuable part of the story as well.

3. Could you tell me a little about the inspiration for ‘Crikey and Cat’?

Crikey started out as the blue book. Pretty much the first half of the book. The publishers asked me to combine it with two other books I had sent them in rough form. These books were about a red cat. I found it impossible because the story lines wouldn’t connect. I asked Jackie, my wife, who is a writer of films, plays and poetry if she could come up with anything and she solved the story line in about five minutes.

4. A number of reviewers speak of your work as ‘quirky’, and this word came to my mind as well. But it seems to me that it’s much more than this. Do you see a book like ‘Crikey and Cat’ as quirky or would you describe the book another way?

No I don’t see it as quirky. Nor do I see my other books as quirky. I just work around my limitations.

5. What is the best response you've ever had to your illustrative & creative work?

I once got an e mail from a woman who told me she was taking my book Brian Banana Duck Sunshine Yellow on holidays with her and she reads it four or five times a day and that the line ‘It’s just beautiful, Wayne’ was the best line ever written in the English language. I was pretty glad I lived in a different state.

6. Do you have other book projects on the drawing board?

I have just signed a contract for a book called Lara of Newtown about a cat that is abandoned at Christmas time then is given as a Christmas present and abandoned again.

7. Who or what has been the most significant influence on your creative work?

Pretty much everything. I read a lot of poetry. Novels, short stories and picture books. If you have read some of my books e.g. Good Morning Mr Pancakes all the grandkids have been a help as well.

Full List of Chris McKimmie's Children's Books 

'Crikey and Cat', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, 2014
'Scarlett and the Scratchy Moon', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, 2013
'Alex and the Watermelon Boat', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, 2012

'Good Morning Mr Pancakes', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, 2011
'Two Peas in a Pod', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, 2010
'Special Kev Christopher', McKimmie (written & illustrated), East Melbourne: Allen and Unwin, 2008
'Maisie Moo and Invisible Lucy'. Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin, 2007
'Brian Banana Duck Sunshine Yellow', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), East Melbourne: Allen and Unwin, 2006

Earlier Works

'The Caught Bird', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Sydney: Methuen Australia, 1977
'The Shape I'm In', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Sydney: Methuen Australia, 1977
'One Rainy Day', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Sydney: Methuen Australia, 1977
 'The Magic Day', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Sydney: Methuen Australia, 1977
'Apple to Zoo', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Sydney: Hicks Smith, 1975
'The Painted Bird', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Sydney: Hicks Smith 1975 'Two Friends', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Sydney: Hicks Smith, 1975
'One Day', Christopher McKimmie (written & illustrated), Sydney: Hicks Smith, 1975