In Conversation with Children’s Author Margeaux Davis
Margeaux Davis
Discovering the Magic of Nature: An Interview with Margeaux Davis on ‘What Stars Are For’
By Kate Love
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Margeaux Davis to delve into the enchanting world of her latest children’s book, ‘What Stars Are For,’ published by Affirm Press. This beautifully illustrated tale follows the journey of Henry the snail and explores themes of friendship, curiosity and overcoming fears. Margeaux shares her inspirations, artistic process and the challenges of balancing multiple creative roles.
Inspiration Behind the Story
What inspired you to write What Stars Are For? Was there a particular moment or experience that sparked the idea for Henry the snail’s journey?
Margeaux Davis: I used to work as a National Park ranger and have always been fascinated by the natural world. The idea for this story was inspired by the giant panda snails I would find in the rainforest, and a wombat called Sonya that I used to care for as part of my work. I realised that snails and wombats both like to hide away and seem quite reserved, so I had the idea for a story where a snail and wombat could become friends.
Character Development
Henry is a shy and curious snail who overcomes his fears. How did you develop Henry’s character, and what do you hope young readers will learn from his story?
Margeaux Davis: Snails, in general, seem to be quite shy creatures - hiding in their shell and waiting until night or when it’s raining to come out and explore. I was a shy child myself and was very curious about the world, as most children are. I know what it’s like to feel shy and to enjoy my solitude, but also to crave friendship and good conversation. It’s a conflicting way to be! Henry’s struggle with being introverted but also a bit lonely is something that I know many kids (and adults) would relate to. I hope that young readers will benefit from seeing how Henry challenges himself, while staying true to who he is, in order to nurture his curiosity and find ‘his people’.
Artistic Process
Your illustrations in What Stars Are For are truly stunning. Can you walk us through your artistic process when creating the visuals for the book?
Margeaux Davis: Thank you very much! The first thing I did was fill my sketchbook with drawings and paintings of plants, skies, snails and other animals, to figure out the right style for this story and to decide what Henry would look like. It was fun to use my own house and garden for reference. I then created a storyboard of rough sketches, which was polished with the help of the lovely Coral and Tash at Affirm Press. The finished paintings you see in the book were created using watercolour and gouache paint, and colour pencil on paper.
Balancing Multiple Roles
You are both an illustrator and a soft toy designer. How do you balance these creative roles, and do they influence each other in your work?
Margeaux Davis: What inspires me influences both my toy design and illustration style. As well as being inspired by the natural world, I also get inspiration from the nostalgia of things from another time. I still remember and feel that wonder and magic from my childhood and really enjoy making things for children (as well as my own inner child, I guess). I’ve created digital sewing patterns for my soft toy designs, which I sell from my website (willowynn.com). I struggle to find the time to make and sell my toy designs and dolls while also illustrating picture books, so I try to create new soft toy designs and sew dolls in the gaps between my illustration projects. Balancing my sewing pattern business with picture book illustration (as well as raising children) can be challenging, but it is also an absolute dream come true for me.
Advice for Aspiring Authors and Illustrators
As an emerging children’s book illustrator and writer, what advice would you give to others who are looking to break into the industry?
Margeaux Davis: My advice is to put in as many hours as you can creating the kind of work that you want to make. Practice, practice, practice. Whether that be drawing, painting or writing stories. Be brave and show your work to industry professionals whose style or taste you really admire, and use their feedback to perfect your work even more. Be a sponge and learn as much as you can about creating good picture books and how the industry works. There are some great courses you can take, and excellent books on the subject of creating children’s picture books. Develop your own unique style and create work that makes you happy. Once you have a manuscript or illustration portfolio that you are really proud of, submit it to the publishers that you would love to work with, and who publish the kind of work that you’re making. It is a difficult industry to break into, so you have to be persistent and believe in yourself.
about
What Stars Are For is a gentle, moving story about a shy, curious snail who overcomes his fears and finds a friend. This gorgeous picture book is a perfect gift for shy children who need some gentle encouragement to come out of their shell.
The story
Henry spends his nights exploring the world alone and wondering one thing: what are stars for? One morning, he decides to come out of his shell and ask someone. Can Henry find the answer to his question and make a friend?
From Margeaux Davis comes a moving story about curiosity, overcoming your fears and finding friendship.
Margeaux Davis is an emerging children’s book illustrator as well as a soft toy and sewing pattern designer. She has a background in environmental education, working as a National Parks ranger; and loves to talk, write and think about the natural world. She spends her days drawing, painting and sewing from a tiny cabin studio in her garden, surrounded by macadamia nut farms and cow paddocks, on the far north coast of New South Wales.