I’m so pleased to be able to welcome one of my favourite authors into The Reading Realm! Robert Tregoning is an Indie Book Award-winning and Polari Prize shortlisted author. He studied at the Glasgow School of Art and performed in West End shows before he began writing picture books. Robert’s published works include The Dress in the Window and Out of the Blue.
As an author, he hopes to help children and adults alike to accept and celebrate all that makes us uniquely ourselves. The stories Robert writes are often stories he wishes he could have read as a child. He hopes they provide a voice of recognition, validation and kindness to those who need it.
Today I talk to Robert about his brand-new book, THE ROCK FAMILY BAND, which is illustrated by Laura Brenlla!
Before we settle down in The Reading Realm for a chat about your new book, what’s your drink and snack of choice?
I’ve just made myself a cup of tea and since we’re talking about The Rock Family Band, I think I’ll have to have a rock bun. My grandma used to make rock buns for us every Sunday and I can imagine Nana Rock doing the same thing!
Without giving too much away, what can you tell us about The Rock Family Band, which is illustrated by Laura Brenlla?
The Rock Family Band is a story about embracing each other exactly as we are, whatever the tune that we sing and no matter how glam rock we roll!
Growing up, I loved stories and TV shows about bold and wacky families. The Flintstones, the Jetsons and especially, the Addams Family. I couldn’t think of an example from my childhood where the family was one that included same sex parents, so I set out to write a story about a bold and wacky rainbow family and the Rocks came crashing into my mind! Dad is guitarist, Pops is the singer, Liv is the drummer, and Bo is keyboardist and writes the lyrics. Nana dances and plays the tambourine and Ziggy the poodle is in the band too! It’s a household of big hair, big noise, and GLAM ROCK. Except for the youngest child, Sam. Sam plays the flute. He likes peace, quiet and classical music. He doesn’t feel like he fits in and he’s really worried about his end-of-year school recital. Can he trust his family to sit and listen and stay calm? But when the recital does come around, stage fright hits and maybe Sam’s rocking, grooving, clanging family might be just what he needs.
How would you say this story is different to A Fairy Called Fred? How is it similar?
Both are inspired by my childhood and the stories I used to love reading and watching on TV. There are characters in both A Fairy Called Fred and The Rock Family Band who refuse to conform to gender stereotypes, which will always be something I feel passionately about including in my writing. I feel very fortunate to be working with several amazing artists and I love seeing how different illustrators have such different approaches to bringing the words to life! With A Fairy Called Fred, Stef Murphy has used so many beautiful, magical, pastel shades and created a world full of sparkle and softness. With the Rock Family Band, Laura Brenlla has used bright and bold purples, greens, pinks and yellows. Her style really makes me think of my favourite cartoons! It feels totally right that this story has a wacky, zany visual approach.
Do you have a favourite illustration by Laura Brenlla? Why is it your favourite?
I love everything Laura has done with this story but there are two pages that I particularly love. There’s a page where we see the Rocks unable to control their urges to rock out and Sam about to reach breaking point. There’s so much energy in Laura’s art and I think this image captures the tension and dynamic of the family, at this point in the story, so well. In contrast, there’s an image from near the end of the story where we see (spoiler alert) everyone performing together. Again, the artwork is full of energy but this time there’s so much joy and excitement!
I wondered what your own relationship is like with music and if this influenced the story at all?
I’ve always loved music! As a child, in the late 80s and 90s, I must have been one of Kylie Minogue’s youngest fans and then I became a huge fan of the Spice Girls! My husband and I even had everyone singing along to the Spice Girls at our wedding! As I’ve grown older, my taste has become quite eclectic but one constant is my love of musical theatre. This story is definitely influenced by my time performing on stage. Working in theatre is also where I met my amazing husband, Billy Cullum. Billy is an artist who writes incredible songs and he’s my biggest inspiration. Our life together is full of music, so it’s no surprise that music has made its way into my stories too!
If you were in the Rock family band, what instrument would you play?
Well I’d love to sing some backing vocals and I’d definitely be dancing with Nana but I also used to play the cello. Maybe I could dust off the cello and add some classical strings to the sound because, as you’ll learn in the story, there’s room for everyone and every instrument in the Rock family band!
Have you enjoyed any other children’s picture books recently that you can tell us about?
I recently read Cloud Boy, by Greg Stobbs and loved it! I’m a big fan of everything Greg creates and Cloud Boy is brilliant – a real celebration of individuality and the importance of walking (or in this case, flying) in other people’s shoes. I’m also a huge fan of both Lu Fraser and Paddy Donnelly and if anyone reading this hasn’t already read the oh so beautiful, Ava and the Acorn, then I highly recommend it! I also recommend having tissues at the ready.
Finally, can you describe The Rock Family Band in three words?
Rainbow family rocks!
