Yellow Dress Day, published in 2012, was Sophie's first published picture book. Since then she has illustrated Indigo Solves the Pzuzle and is currently working on a new picture book scheduled for release in 2014.
As a work experience student, Sophie’s exceptional artistic talents were quickly discovered by New Frontier Publishing. She is about to begin her studies at Sydney University.
Sophie selects the five books that have most influenced her.
Silver Sister by Lillian Ng
The book was probably the first "grown up" book I ever read. Beginning from the upheavals in China from the 1930s, this autobiography tells Ng's story from incredible famine in peasant China to her eventual migration to Australia. Since borrowing the book from my mother when I was twelve, I have never forgotten the unimaginable horrors it described - which in time has taught me to appreciate the safe life I live and to not become too caught up in everyday grievances.
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
I always enjoyed science as a child, but Bryson's quirky and sometimes funny rendition of history's major advances seeded in me a delight for scientific knowledge that remains with me today. This passion for learning and discovery has also helped me keep my imagination alive, even through last year's HSC, and has ultimately been the driving force to my starting out as a illustrator. This year, I'm even beginning a scientific university degree!
Works of Roald Dahl/Quentin Blake - Fantastic Mr. Fox, Matilda
Roald Dahl was my first love when I moved from picture books to chapter books. The stories themselves, especially those of the two books mentioned, had a theme of the young, plucky underdog triumphing over nasty and unfair adults. I read them so many times and even years later I am still influenced by their messages of childish joy and energy in my illustrations. I always loved the way Quentin Blake let loose in his drawings, embracing messiness and eccentricity, which has taught me to rely more on instinct than technical perfection in drawing.
Magic Beach by Alison Lester
I couldn't get enough of Alison Lester's books. The detailed pictures in this one demanded hours of careful observation, so that nothing could be missed. But what I really loved about Magic Beach was that it was Australian. It was about the beach; beach-combing, bonfires and swimming, which were things my family grew up with and found relatable. It wasn't something I found that common amongst my picture books, and as I grew older I became adamant that I too could be an author or illustrator, despite the fact that I was an Australian girl who lived on the beaches (as a child I was under the impression famous people could only be British or American!)
The Tale of Two Bad Mice by Beatrix Potter
A copy of this was given to me by great-aunt when I was born. I couldn't count how many times I've read this little story, but the idea of mice running rampant in a little girl's dollshouse has led me to always try think outside the square when coming up with ideas, because within the world we know there is without doubt something magical happening that only takes imagination to see.
