Today we talk about The case of the missing shoes, a book by Olga Oprunenco published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Olga Oprunenco, to get to know her better, where she found the inspiration to write her book The case of the missing shoes, as well as the importance of illustrations in a children’s book.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Where did you find the inspiration to write your story?
This story was fully inspired by kids in quite a few ways. When my daughter was a small baby, she had a bodysuit with bugs print. I saw those characters; they triggered my imagination to write the story about these little cute insects. Observing my kids and their friends inspired me to write a story that would teach young readers (and their parents!) to think about others, to build empathy and not be selfish. Once the story was written, my younger son came up with the title of the book – The case of the missing shoes. Now, my son is closely following my new stories, he wants to be more involved in this. Well, as a mother, I am glad that this story can inspire my children and then other young readers to not judge others too harshly and try to help others. So, now I can say that the book was completely fully inspired by my kids.
- How important do you think illustrations are in a children’s book?
Illustration plays a big role in this book. I can say that if you don’t believe what the text says, you can’t draw a credible and convincing picture. And the children are very sincere and pure human beings. They feel something ‘false’ immediately and may not even read the text if the images don’t seem true to them. A good book illustration also develops good taste in painting in the future. Through illustration we can also convey the good mood of the book and inspire positive motivations through colours. In fact, it is very intriguing how the text and illustration combine: listening to reading, visualizing an image and building evolution of the plot to one’s own imagination. Like a big puzzle, in a child’s brain and life. We need to help our kids develop with inspirational stories and powerful illustrations. Because good illustrations are like a children’s first art gallery. Their way into the world of imagination and fantasy. These images will unleash creativity of the kids in the future life.
- What would you like to hear from your young and adult readers?
Honestly, I want people to be a little bit kinder to each other, not judgemental but empathetic, looking how they personally can make things around them better for others. What I would like to hear from my young readers is questions about the story, about the drawings. For example, in my book there is one character who is not in the text, but only in pictures. Can they find him? I did this trick for observing attention and focus. It would also be important for me to see children’s eyes if there were emotions from reading the book. Or what other ideas may come to their minds. At the end of the book there is one picture without text, this is also a topic for children so that they can discuss with their parents, or they themselves can write something of their own, for instance a continuation of the story about caterpillars. But, for adult readers, I would love to hear if this story has provoked new conversations between them and their children. How they used this story in different life situations to help their kids by kinder and more empathetic.
- How was your publishing experience?
For me this was my first experience as an author (I just illustrated children’s books before). Of course, it was very exciting. Every moment was interesting, from creating the cover to the finished book. And when everything comes together and you hold your book in your hands, it’s something extraordinary. I want to say a big thanks to Europe Books for support and excellent teamwork. For believing in the potential of my story and continuing to help and promote the book. Of course, I’m not going to stop there, I ‘will try to publish more something interesting. I want to tell everyone who wants to publish and doubts. You should always try, because there is always support from the publisher and they will always help you how to do it right. Of course, at first the process seems long and you want to get the book right now, but you need to be patient, confident and trust a professional team.
- Are you working on a new writing project that you can tell us about?
Maybe, my new projects will be the second book in this series, about the secret disappearance. I want to continue the series about bugs. About their daily life and about the intrigue of story and secrets. I chose insects as the heroes of the book. It seems to me that it is clearer to convey thoughts to young readers. Bugs are part of nature that they first discover and at the same time insects are so small that they are often barely noticed. Through the characters they can see themselves, sometimes clumsy, proud, angry, sneaky. For me ideally, it’s two more books. Each book will teach children kindness, understanding, friendship and patience with each other. Of another thing…but I would like to keep it secret at this moment. But this story has not finished for sure. I don’t want to rush but I want to enjoy this process. The case of the missing shoes is just a start and I can’t wait to continue this series of this book.
Europe Books thanks the author, Olga Oprunenco, once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside her on the editorial path that led to the publication of her book The case of the missing shoes. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my readers, may this story open new conversation between you and your children, may it let you reflect upon the importance of being empathetic and kind to each other, seeing how you can make things better for everyone. And remember that, no matter how adult you are, books for children have a lot to teach us all! Written in simple and clear concepts, illustrated children’s book have the ability to give us important life lessons or they put us back in touch with our forgotten child side which just needs to be awakened.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your editor!