Interview with author/illustrator Lynne Barasch
by Aline Pereira*

Lynne Barasch was born in New York City and grew up in Woodmere, Long Island. She attended Rhode Island School of Design and holds a B.F.A. from Parsons School of Design.

Her first children's book, Rodney's Inside Story, was published in the early 1990's. Since then she has both written and illustrated many stories, including the award-winnig Knockin' on Wood and Hiromi's Hands. Her most recent book, First Come the Zebra, was selected for inclusion in the 2010 Spirit of PaperTigers Project.

She lives in New York City.
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Your picture book First Come the Zebra,  about two Kenyan boys from rivaling tribes figuring out how to get along, has garnered many accolades. When and why did you decide to write this book? 

On a 2007 safari in Kenya the tour guides told us about more than just the wildlife. They spoke about the various tribes and their differences. Shortly after our return from Kenya, violence broke out following the election of Mwai Kibaki, a Kikuyu. His opponent Raila Odinga, of the Luo tribe, and his many supporters claimed that the election results were fraudulent. Thousands of people were killed during this time. This news made me determined to write about tribalism in a positive light.

What message do you hope First Come the Zebra sends to children? 

I hope young readers will begin to see that they are not powerless. If every young person would take the initiative and try to understand and get along with someone different than himself or herself, the cumulative effect would have great impact. Young people are the hope for the future of our world.

What are some of the responses you have had from children regarding the book?

Children have liked the part when Abaani and Haki play Mancala and become friends. One boy wanted to hear more stories about them. What else did they do? Did they have more adventures?

As someone who both writes and illustrates, what comes first to you, words or images?

I write the story first but always have pictures in mind as I write. This tends to make the narrative less wordy. Where a picture can tell the story, I let it do the work. I use the art to support the story, not to draw attention to itself or dominate for it's own sake.

What is the process of choosing your subject matter like? Are there any recognizable patterns to speak of?

I used to think that my story subjects dealt with remembering vanishing worlds, keeping them alive by passing them on. Now though, I would say they deal with things that have touched me, past and present.

What do the many awards and accolades you have received for your work mean to you?

Awards support and validate the work I do. It is meaningful to me to see that I have reached people and for this I am thankful.

You have described picture books as "a combination of words and illustrations that form a mysterious greater whole." What, in your opinion, makes for a successful whole when it comes to picture books?

Books have to entertain and give readers something of value to take away with them.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on a book about Christmas/ Chanukah and another book about a multicultural tea party. And I am looking forward to my upcoming trip to Egypt - maybe it will inspire a new book!

If you were to pick a place anywhere in the world to send First Come the Zebra, where would it be, and why?

I would send First Come the Zebra to Kenya, where the story takes place. Of course conflict exists in many parts of the world. I would say Israel and neighboring Arab countries could benefit from this story too.

*Aline Pereira is PaperTigers' Managing Editor .

Posted February 2010

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