District 9 co-writer Terri Tatchell's new book about a mischievous lemur will tickle and teach little kids
Credit to Author: Dana Gee| Date: Sun, 15 Dec 2019 19:00:58 +0000
Academy Award and BAFTA-nominated screenwriter and Vancouverite Terri Tatchell (District 9 with co-writer and husband Neill Blomkamp) has a new children’s book out. Her debut in the kid’s book world is called Aye-Aye Gets Lucky.
Illustrated by Ivan Sulima, the book is about a mischievous aye-aye lemur that lives in Madagascar. This lemur runs into some trouble when the humans grow tired of his sneaky and sometimes scary ways. Soon he’s branded as bad luck and banished. The mopey lemur is faced with self-doubt until a flying fox explains to him that pranks aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.
The story raises awareness of endangered species and reminds readers about the importance of empathy. Part of the Endangered and Misunderstood publishing imprint, this book’s proceeds go toward groups working to help with aye-aye conservation.
Tatchell — who also co-wrote the screenplay for the film Chappie with Blomkamp — took some time to answer some questions:
The new children’s book Aye-Aye Gets Lucky uses an aye-aye lemur to illustrate empathy, self-acceptance and second chances. Photo: Fielding House Press
Question: Why did you pick the aye-aye lemur to write a story about?
Answer: I came up with three criteria: endangered, misunderstood and relatively unknown. You’d be surprised how many animals fit the bill. But the aye-aye is misunderstood in a very unique way that really hit me in the heart. Legend has it seeing an aye-aye means bad luck, possibly even death, unless you kill him/her. Clearly this animal needed a good, lucky story as quickly as I could get it done!
Q: Are aye-ayes still considered bad luck in Madagascar?
A: As conservation programs are taking root all over Madagascar, thankfully this legend is losing popularity.
Q: You worked with illustrator Sulima. How did that process work? How did you decide on the look of your aye-aye?
A: I spent a long time looking for the perfect illustrator and finally came upon an image of a fox in a children’s picture book. It wasn’t in English and it took me a while to track Ivan down in Kiev, Ukraine. He’s crazy talented so it took even longer to wait for a break in his schedule, but wow was it ever worth it! Working with him exceeds anything I could have imagined. I sent him the story along with real photos of the animals, landscapes, people, etc. We worked out the look of the main characters of the first three books and then he came back the entire first book sketched out. I didn’t have a single note! Not one. He more than gets it and we are perfectly aligned in the tone.
Q: Did you make up bedtime stories for your daughter?
A: My daughter Cassidy was subjected to some pretty crazy bedtime stories. I am a huge believer in reading to kids every night but sometimes I’d get bored and just start spinning my own versions of her books. It could get a bit questionable, which is why she gets the first book dedicated to her.
Q: What was a favourite book from your own childhood?
A: I had so many favourite books and actually still have many of them! Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl and a huge stack of Golden Books were probably my favourites. Dr. Seuss for the language, Roald Dahl for the naughtiness and the Golden Books for variety and collectibility.
Q: Your screenwriting credits are very imaginative stories. Were you a kid that dreamed up her own stories?
A: I wish I could say I was, but I’d say I spent more of my time devouring everything that was already out there. I was an only child and spent a great deal of time reading.
Q: What if anything crosses over between screenwriting and writing a children’s book?
A: It wasn’t until I finished this book that I realized the answer is actually everything! Every rule and cinematic sensibility that I’ve learned over my career has helped shape this story. Writing for kids was always the dream and now I’m glad I waited. I believe I will write better stories having learned the craft of screenwriting.
Q: Who is tougher, a movie producer, director or book editor?
A: Definitely a director, but in the best way. My husband directed the films I worked on and while he isn’t involved in the books, he’s a huge fan of them and let’s just say his work ethic means I only want to ever show him my best work.
Q: What did your daughter Cassie, who the book is dedicated to, think of the book?
A: Cassidy just turned 21 and she loves aye-aye. She’s at University in Nashville, but I send her every idea, every image, every update. She’s a musician and composed the music to the book trailer for me and the “A is for Aye-Aye” song.
Terri Tatchell, who is most known for her celebrated screenplay for District 9, has collaborated with illustrator Ivan Sulima for the new children’s book Aye-Aye Gets Lucky about a mischievous aye-aye lemur in Madagascar. Photo: Fielding House Press
Q: What do you hope other kids take from this book?
A: I hope kids learn about and fall in love with this very unique creature. I would love for this story (and series) to be an easy and stress-free way into learning about endangered animals. There is a spread at the back suggesting fun and easy things to do to help. Animals aside, I also hope they gleam some of the playground themes around empathy, self-acceptance, community and second chances. We have activities, fact sheets and teacher’s guides up online at endangeredandmisunderstood.com to help expand on the book in these areas.
Q: Will you write more kids books?
A: Writing for kids has always been my biggest dream and now that I’ve started there is no looking back. And I LOVE doing story time. Getting to read what you write to your intended audience is a crazy gift. I’m not sure it could get any better for a writer.
Q: Are you working on any movies right now?
A: I’m always working on a movie, but actually getting one made is a different story. So, nothing exciting to report at this time.
Q: Screens or no screens for kids?
A: Everything in moderation. I firmly believe my Saturday morning cartoons and movie nights shaped my imagination as much as the books I read. I also loved my story records.