Bridget Strevens-Marzo is a very successful illustrator and has many books published all over the world. StoryBox is very lucky to have Bridget illustrate the quizzes on the back page of every edition of StoryBox magazine.

Who was your inspiration to become an illustrator?
Ranjit, East London 

My father was a professional artist and during the day I’d watch him paint or looked at old illustrated books in his studio. At night he nearly always read me a bedtime story and kept me well supplied with everything from the Rupert Annual to Winnie the Pooh and weekly children¹s magazines.

How did you first get involved with illustrating for Bayard Presse?
Melanie, Crawley

I had spent a very long time working on two novelty books which I’d written and illustrated and which were happily bought by a big French publisher. However for packaging reasons the books were never published.  My friend, David McKee, the creator of Elmer, occasionally worked for Bayard and recommended it.  It would be much faster than doing another book, plus I’d get to do all kinds of subjects I’d never think of myself.    So I made a meeting with the art director to show my two unpublished books to them. Within a month, they gave me my first commission ­ a game for one of their magazines for young children.

What was the first children¹s book you illustrated and how did you become involved with it?
Mrs McGuiness, Devon

The first book I illustrated - and wrote - called ‘Toto in Paris’ was published in the UK and the USA a long time before I worked for Bayard. This and the next two books in the series, were inspired by going to different places with my son when he was around five years old.  We lived in Paris at that time and Paris for him was not about monuments or museums but about boulangeries, crepe stands, funny kiosks, cafés, dogs and gendarmes.    He loved stories with some action in them so I came up with one about a runaway dog, and a robbery,  but with all the other things he liked,  like crepes and pains au chocolats in the background.

What or who are you main influences as an illustrator?
Marcus, Brighton

Books, books and books! I treasure some I’ve kept from when I was young ­ although they are falling apart.   I still buy children’s books and I have lots of art books, wildlife books, even a book on outer space ­ anything that has pictures in it that I like.

Can you describe your current illustration style?
Sunita, Birmingham

The thing is, I always adapt to the subject I’m illustrating.  Right now I’m working on two very different picture books plus a riddle page for StoryBox - ­ that makes three different current styles!

One story is set in a real place -  the African savannah at nightfall, so I’m thinking about the light and mood changing, and painting it all directly in modelled colour.   The other story I’m doing is about an imaginary race. When there’s a lot of action and detail like in this book, I¹ll often use an ink outline.  But for games and riddles I like working with big flat shapes. You might be able to recognize me across different styles  ­  like you can recognize a voice whether it¹s shouting, whispering or putting on different accents.

What career would you have chosen if you weren't an illustrator?
Rosalina, Leeds

I might have been an actress though I’m not sure if I¹d have been a good one.   I would have played lots of different characters on stage, instead of drawing them as I do now.

Do you teach people to draw too?
Teegan, Cardiff

I do workshops with children and also teach in an art school but I don’t really teach students how to draw  ­  there are so many different ways to draw.   Whatever age we are and however experienced, it¹s good to remember that drawing begins what you’re drawing on, what you¹re drawing with, and how you are moving between those two things!

Which illustrator do you most admire?
Regine, Edinburgh

There are so many - it depends on the day!  Today it’s Richard Scarry because he looked at ordinary things that we don’t usually dream of drawing, like a manhole on a street pavement, or a packet of sugar  - and he made them fun.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be an illustrator?
Amy, Wiltshire

As long as you find some pleasure in illustrating, even when it’s tough-going, it will show!   One day, sooner or later, others will share that pleasure and that¹s the real reason for doing it

To see more of Bridget’s work, visit her website: