But Not the Armadillo Author and Illustrator Sandra Boynton Talks About Her Favorite Animals, Authors and More!
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Nearly every kid knows—and loves—Sandra Boynton, the beloved author and artist behind favorites like Little Pookie, But Not the Armadillo and countless others. B&N’s own Lauren Krueger caught up with the kids’ book darling to chat about her favorite animals, why her dinosaurs are underrated, and eating your characters. (In chocolate form, of course.)
Nearly every kid knows—and loves—Sandra Boynton, the beloved author and artist behind favorites like Little Pookie, But Not the Armadillo and countless others. B&N’s own Lauren Krueger caught up with the kids’ book darling to chat about her favorite animals, why her dinosaurs are underrated, and eating your characters. (In chocolate form, of course.)
Hello Sandra! Thank you so much for taking the time do this. My family and I are big fans! I realized the other day that we have at least one of your books in every single room of our apartment: in the kitchen, bedrooms, living room, and even the bathroom! (I’ll leave it to you to figure out what goes where.) I also feel like it’s important to thank you for providing my daughter with her first pair of shoes.
Hi Lauren! What a GREAT photo!!! Her inventive sense of fashion- meets-utility will serve her well.
With so many titles, what’s one of your books you feel is an under-appreciated favorite?
Hmm. Good question. I suppose I’d say Dinosaur’s Binkit. Though maybe that’s only because I have a particular affinity for that book, yet people very rarely mention it to me as a favorite. The book is basically autobiographical, about my blankie-driven child-self.
You usually write and illustrate your books. What was the process like for creating Here, George!
It was AMAZING! It’s also not anything I would ever have imagined doing, but heck, why not, it’s GEORGE BOOTH for goodness (“goodness’s”?) sake. He’s the absolute best, both as a cartoonist and as a human being. The book would not have worked at all if I had illustrated it, because it needed an exceedingly dog-like dog, whereas the dogs I draw are pretty much people. George Booth’s dogs are quintessential dogs‑-and inexpressibly glorious.
What’s your favorite animal?
My favorite animal is a fox. No wait, a lemur. Better yet, a sloth. Maybe a chipmunk? Ducks are cool. Tiger! No no, scratch that; definitely a piglet. Okay, okay, here’s my final answer: my favorite animal is two hippos.
Is there a type of animal that you find especially difficult or rewarding to draw?
I actually struggle somewhat with all of them. It’s so few lines, which means that very small miscalculations can make the expression and intention go a little haywire.
Your illustrations have been recreated as stuffed animals, unique jewelry, and other apparel. Have you ever encountered one of your creations in chocolate and if so, how did you feel about eating it?
I never had any qualms about eating chocolate Easter rabbits, so why start moody self-examination now?
Yes, I have designed hippo-shaped chocolate, a long time ago for a wonderful company called Harbor Sweets. An odd thing about me (it’s around number 327 on the ever-lengthening list) is that I’ve never “licensed” my art, in the sense that I don’t allow companies to create work based on my art, independently of my direct involvement. I actively design specific things for specific companies. It’s much more fun that way, and it means that all these things retain my sensibility. Such as it is.
The elephant in Blue Hat, Green Hat is clearly a fan of the Boston Red Sox. Are you?
This is a loaded question.
Do you have pets?
Not now. (Long sigh.) I mean, unless you count the tiny winged pigs that come and go as they please.
Your online autobiography links to Homestar Runner (“The Internet’s Favorite Cartoon”). Who’s your favorite character? Do you ever find yourself talking in their voice(s)? Have you ever discussed a collaboration with the Brothers Chaps? Like, “Bad, Mad, Sad, La La La”?
I adore the whole mad cast of characters. One or another of the various members of my family—we have four kids—often quotes something out of that brilliant bizarre world. (You HAVE TO use the voices, they’re inextricably linked with the content.) And high up among my/our favorite all-time record albums is “Strongbad Sings.” If you don’t yet have it, stop everything and go find it.
Who are some of the authors and illustrators you loved as a child? Who are some of your favorites working today?
Ack! SO MANY! Here are a few-ish, in the order in which they entered my life: Maurice Sendak and Ruth Krauss and Else Holmelund Minarik, Lisl Weil, A. A. Milne and Ernest Shepard, E. B. White and Garth Williams, Lewis Carroll and John Tenniel, Astrid Lindgren, Hilary Knight and Kay Thompson, Russell Hoban, William Steig, Arnold Lobel, James Marshall, Chris Van Allsburg, Betsy Byars and Sue Truesdell, Ian Falconer, Mo Willems, Jon Klassen, Olivier Tallec and Nadine Brun-Cosme.
What’s next?
I never know.