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Scholastic Book Clubs • January 6, 2025 TopicsBook Clubs Book Fairs books illustrator interview January

Interview with the Illustrator of ‘Aaron’s Hair’

What inspired you to illustrate the book? / Where did you draw inspiration from?

Dave Whamond: I have always been inspired by Robert Munsch’s books, especially when I would read them to my own kids. It was like they were written specifically for me to illustrate. In Aaron’s Hair, there was so much fun imagery and potential, I couldn’t wait to get it down on paper.

 What did you enjoy most about illustrating it? What were some challenges that you faced while illustrating?

Dave Whamond: The scenes where they have the traffic piled up around them was so fun to draw. The way Robert Munsch wrote it gave me that idea. The challenge was that I had to make it work for each scene and have the same cars in the same places, people wearing the same clothing and facing the right way, etc. 

 What books have had the biggest impact on your life? / What books were your favourite to read growing up? / What books inspired you and your illustrations while growing up?

Dave Whamond: Dr. Seuss really stands out in my mind. He made a big impression on me when I was a kid, even though the Cat in the Hat really freaked me out (I had a couple of nightmares about him. But I was fine with the Grinch. Go figure). I still love the drawings of Dr. Seuss to this day. I was also really influenced as an artist by Bill Watterson’s work for Calvin and Hobbes.

 How do you come up with the characters’ illustrations?

Dave Whamond: Character development is one of my favourite parts of creating a book. I will send the art director a bunch of different poses and options for each of the main characters and we will choose which one works best and develop them throughout the book from there. With the Robert Munsch books it is easy as the characters are usually based off of a real person and their family. So they send me photos and I work from them.

What’s your illustration process look like?

Dave Whamond: I used to do everything traditionally (ink and watercolour on illustration board) but I now use a program that can mimic watercolour very well. I still ink the line traditionally and then scan it in and work on the colour on the computer from there. Working digitally allows you to be bolder and take more chances. If they don’t work, you just delete and retrace your steps. With an actual watercolour painting, you have to start all over if it doesn’t work out.

What’s next for you?

Dave Whamond: I’m working on several books now, including one of my own that I am quite excited about. I also do a lot of puzzles which are fairly involved but fun to work on. I also do 3 daily syndicated comics called Reality Check, Day by Dave and editorial cartoons. Can you tell I like to keep busy? But I truly enjoy every minute of it.

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