Today we’ve got a special guest joining Ian Eagleton in The Reading Realm! Oh yes we have! It’s Mama G here to talk about the fabulous picture book OH YES I AM!
Before we settle down in The Reading Realm and talk about your new book, what’s your drink and snack of choice?
– Well, as the nights are drawing in and panto season upon us, I like to start thinking about comfort and health. For my snack I’ll choose an orange for the vitamin c, and for my drink I’ll have a port. The first one will help me get through three shows a day, and the latter will help me unwind from them!
Without giving too much away, what can you tell us about your debut picture book, Oh Yes I Am!, which is illustrated by Toto?
– It’s quite simply the most marvellous picture book ever published and will almost certainly change the very fabric of our culture. Is what I would say if I wasn’t so modest. No, honestly, all my work is about encouraging people of all ages to be who they want and love who they are. Oh Yes I Am! explores how panto can help us do that and make the world a brighter place for everyone at the same time. It’s a simple story, told from the depthiest depths of my heart, which has been brought to stunning life by Toto. We both love panto and I think that shines through on every page of the book!
I wondered if the story was autobiographical and what you can remember about your first visit to the pantomime?
– You know, the story is autobiographical – BUT, I didn’t realise that until I saw Toto’s illustrations. I was gobsmacked. Even though I was writing from experience, Toto unlocked something that I hadn’t even understood was there. When I look at some of the pictures I can feel a memory. It’s a very magical experience!
My first visit to the panto is a tale of legend in my family. I was three years old and we all went to see Mother Goose at the Playhouse in Weston-super-Mare which is where my Great Gran lived. It was all going well until the Wicked Witch came on (so probably a couple of minutes in!) and I screamed the house down! I remember being taken into the foyer, and then eventually watching the rest of the show from the lighting desk, which was behind a big window, so I was protected. It’s very funny, considering what I do for a living now!
One of the things I very much appreciate about that memory though is that my Mum persisted, and took me back to panto the following year, and the year after… and I’ve never had a year without panto since!
The illustrations by Toto are delightful! Do you have a favourite one you can tell us about?
I almost gave away the answer to this in the last question – but there is one that is my very favourite. I can feel the picture. Even though the person in the picture doesn’t look like me, I recognise the expression and the emotion and the wonder.
It’s on page 19 and is of a boy open-mouthed in awe, having just seen a pantomime dame for the first time. You can tell that moment is changing the trajectory of his life and his understanding of everything around him. And I just don’t know how Toto did it. He captured a very personal moment in my life, without me even realising it was there to be caught. I suspect that Toto recognised a similar experience from his own life. Maybe both of us are in that illustration.
I also love that the boy is holding a programme for the show, and it has my picture and name on it. Of course, there is a little arrogant delight in me, but it also encapsulates something that I am keen to do with my work. It’s something that others have done for me and I love that this image represents that it’s my turn. It’s about passing the panto baton on, inspiring future generations to keep the art form alive, and, more importantly, use it to free themselves from social norms and be the wonderful unfettered person we need them to be.
What had your experience been working with Graffeg as a debut author?
This is my first traditionally published picture book and from what I can tell, it’s been pretty plain sailing. I’ve always wanted to have a book published this way, especially a picture book. And I have been trying hard to make it happen. However, performing is my first love, so all of my energy is directed to that, which leaves sporadic bursts to send submissions to publishers.
Oh Yes I Am! came about because of James Mayhew who heard me reading the story and fell in love with it. I’m very grateful to James for seeing something in it and believing in me and my work. I was really pleased when he said that Graffeg were keen to publish it. I’m not sure what it’s like with other places, but their approach has been really hands on and personable. I was worried it might feel overwhelming, or as though it wasn’t my story any more; but it’s very much the opposite in both cases.
It’s been really exciting to see how a book comes together. I think Oh Yes I Am! happened comparatively quickly compared to most picture books, which is honestly lucky, because I’m very impatient and spontaneous. It’s a terrible mix!
Finally can you describe Oh Yes I Am! in three words?
Oh yes I… oh bother, I’ve messed it up already!
Fun, empowering, uplifting!
