Featured Author: Andrea Beck

Pierre Le Poof!: Pierre, a pampered show poodle in training, is torn between his love for his devoted owner, Miss Murphy, and his dreams of running wild in the park. One day, an open door beckons and Pierre escapes. But, this spunky little pooch gets more than he bargains for and learns that home is the best place of all. 

Buttercup's Lovely Day: In poetry that winds and wends like a creek through a farmer’s field, we journey through one lovely day in Buttercup’s life. Whether she is ruminating on the mud beneath her feet or the moon and the stars in the blue-black sky, she draws us deep into her rich and wonderful world.  

Interview

Why do you write, and why children's/young adult books? I can’t not write. I had to stop for a few years, but characters got into my head and it became too crowded in there. I have to let them out! I always see my characters in words and pictures, and bringing them to life on the page is so rewarding that when I’m finished, I want to do it again. It’s a form of addiction I guess!

What kind of research do you do before you write a book? Me, do research? Ha

What is your favourite children's book? Come ON! Who can pick? I did love the Velveteen Rabbit though. You can count it as ONE of my favourites.

What are the best and worst things about writing (illustrating) books?

• The best is bringing characters to life, shaping up a story and revising it until it is just right. Stories are like puzzles it’s satisfying when the pieces fit. 
• When you walk into a school on the other side of the country and the children greet you with song or pictures of Buttercup, Elliot and Pierre le Poof. It is hard to comprehend that, yes, they’ve read my books and to each person the characters mean something a little different.
•  The worst part of illustration is my poor neck. Illustrating takes a toll on artists. A book takes 5 months from first storyboard to final art and that’s a long time to be sitting over a drawing board.

Biography

Celebrated for her work as author/illustrator of the popular book series and TV show, Elliot Moose, Beck was delighted to launch Pierre Le Poof!. Andrea is known for creating earnest characters that inhabit a world of warmth and friendship, appealing to children and parents alike. Her irrepressible Pierre was inspired by the glimpse of an overly coiffed poodle at a dog show. Beck melded that mutt with the characteristics of her beagle Toby -- the family darling and master escape artist -- and Pierre Le Poof was born. 

Beck draws upon her childhood memories to create stories that speak deeply to children. Her first characters were rooted in her years as a toymaker and in a childhood in which toys seemed truly alive.