Mirror 2011 Indie Book Award Interview

Mirror 2011 Indie Book Award Interview

Two diverse cultures, countries and families are linked with warmth and charm in this two-in-one picture book.

This innovative picture book comprises two stories designed to be read simultaneously - one from the left, the other from the right. Page by page, we experience a day in the lives of two boys and their families. An Australian family, whose way of life strikes a familiar chord, and a family from a far away country with a way of life that differs more than one can imagine. As we read we discover the simple truth that despite these differences we are all the same. We are the mirror of each other.

Mirror has also been short-listed for the 2011 NSW Premier's Literary Awards.

Since 1972, Jeannie Baker has been making her collages, many of which are designed to illustrate picture books, but stand individually as works of art. Her unique collages are created from many rich textures, including earth, knitted wool and feathers, which, combined with more usual artists materials, achieve a wonderful three dimensional illusion. It can take Jeannie up to three years to produce a book. Internationally renowned, her work has garnered critical and public acclaim in Australia and abroad and also many awards, a selection of which include, Australian Picture Book of the Year Honour Book, 2005, for "Belonging", Australian Children's Book Council Picture Book of the Year Award, 1992, for "Window", Notable Book by the American Library Association, 1984, and short listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal, 1985, for "Home in the Sky" and a Boston Globe Horn Book Magazine Honour Book award,1988, and International Board of Young People Honour Book Award, 1990, for "Where the Forest Meets the Sea". Her latest book, "Mirror" was the winner of the Children's category at the 2011 Indie Book Awards.
Jeannie was born in England but has lived in Sydney for many years.

Mirror 2011 Indie Book Award Interview
Walker Books
Author: Jeannie Baker
ISBN: 9781406309140
Price: $39.95

Interview with Jeannie Baker

Question: What originally inspired you to write Mirror?

Jeannie Baker: My projects are always slow to develop: they usually take a good three or four years. And when a project is finally finished, invariably I feel a need to take off on an adventure that importantly is quite opposite to the project I've been working on. So, after years of working on 'Belonging', I decided to take off on my own and explore S. Morocco.

I loved what I found here, the colours, the textures, the dramatic landscapes, the huge presence of history and culture, the open friendliness of the people, the rich diversity of Moslem culture …

At this time in Australia, there was much political poisoning of attitudes towards foreigners and foreignness. But travelling alone in remote Morocco, a woman 'stranger' myself, I was met with much friendliness and generosity from 'strangers'. The idea for my next project was right there and ideas for a story naturally started to grow.

So I began to plan a second trip, to linger for a longer while in the valleys and Berber villages of the foothills of the lower Atlas Mtns and learn more of the way of life here … and to evolve the story for the project that became 'Mirror'.

Question: What research went into Mirror?

Jeannie Baker: I returned to Morocco in 2005, living tin Southern Morocco for a good three months. I travelled to an valley of mostly quite isolated small villages, known locally as 'the Valley of Roses' through which the M'Goun River runs. The villages here are still very traditional. Once outside the main town of Kalaat M'Gouna, it's a place where few tourists venture and a place rich with images and contrasts to western culturei I stayed here a good while, exploring on foot or by bicycle, getting to know some of the villagers and to understand their day to day life and developing the story board for the Moroccan part of 'Mirror'.


Question: How does it feel to win the 2011 Indie Book Award?

Jeannie Baker: I've been in the privileged position of winning other awards. It's always heartening and it is this time too. I always remind myself that this means people are paying attention to what I do and making critical judgements which is fantastic and I have a responsibility always to do the best I can for my readers and not ever take an award for granted.


Question: Can you talk about how you felt when you saw the images of a desert nomad in Morocco reading Mirror?

Jeannie Baker: I sent copies of 'Mirror' to friends in Morocco who helped me.
I have only had the opportunity to publish 'Mirror' in the western world … so its fantastic to see any copies in Morocco.


Interview by Brooke Hunter