June - Artist of the Month – James Sellick
Our June ‘Artist of the Month’ is author James Sellick.
About James Sellick.
James is an award-winning children’s author, playwright and creative director from London who wants to use his creative powers for good. His debut book There’s a Rang-tan in my Bedroom brought the horrible truth about palm oil to the surface. His follow-up story There’s a Jag-wah in my Kitchen shed light on the dangers of our industrial meat system. His most recent picture book series Dealing with Feeling aims to help children recognise and manage big feelings, both in themselves and others, encouraging them to be more empathetic. James lives in Hackney, has a laugh that was once described as a hyena on helium and thinks animals are often better people than people. Oh, and he wears a lot of hats.
What a visit from James entails
James offers visits to primary schools based on his picture books
A Rang-tan visit will include a flexible 30–50-minute interactive presentation, which he is happy to do to one big assembly or to smaller classes over the space of a morning. The presentation will include a short section on why James became an author, some interesting facts about orangutans, with lots of cute photos, a section on why our rainforests are so important and the danger they’re in because of palm oil. James will then do a book reading before exploring the many ways children can help, from drawing posters, to making sustainable snack choices, to writing letters to their favourite chocolate brands.
A Dealing with Feeling; Storm Goliath event will include a flexible 30–50-minute presentation that explores feelings and empathy, specifically focusing on recognising and managing anger, both in oneself and others. James will start with a Storm Goliath reading, before exploring anger, a very normal and healthy emotion, in more depth, from things that could spark angry feelings, to the bad ways Goliath dealt with anger at the start of the book, to a range of safe and useful ways to manage it. Goliath may have found deep breaths and gently drumming his chest was a kinder way to release his anger, but everyone is different. James will help children find their own way to turn anger back into calm.
You can read more about James and his school visits here
Interview with James Sellick
What made you join Authors Abroad?
Over the last few years, I’ve written stories about issues and themes that can really benefit from further context and discussion. Of course, teachers and parents can do that, but a lot of schools like the author to come in. So, I signed up to Authors Abroad to help manage my visits.
A lot of your books are about the environment and wildlife, why are you so passionate about this?
Nature moves me, it inspires me, it calms me. Nature is the answer to so many of our problems, including the climate crisis. You just can’t beat nature. It’s as awesome as it is beautiful. And I feel it’s my job as a storyteller to inspire children to love, respect and look after it.
There is a lot of climate anxiety amongst the younger generation, how do you engage them about this serious topic in a suitable way?
With hope. It must be incredibly difficult being young in today’s world. Being old enough to understand the danger we’re in but too young to have a say. I’ll never shy away from the truth but I’ll always reassure children that all is not lost. Because it’s not. We can make a difference.
What small step that makes a big difference to our planet would you most like to recommend to young people?
Whilst little everyday changes add up, big change has to come from the top. It has to come from governments and big businesses. So, think of new, smart and creative ways to let world leaders know how you feel. Write stories, write letters, draw posters, create campaigns and make films. If enough of you speak up, they’ll have no choice but to listen.
You’ve created some important media campaigns such as ‘There’s a ‘Rang-Tan in my bedroom’ for Greenpeace, what impact do you hope these have.
After releasing Rang-tan, I found out that google searches for palm oil went up 10,000%, which was incredible to see. I also found out that Wilmar, the world’s largest supplier of palm oil, committed to eliminating illegal deforestation from their supply chain, citing the story as a contributing factor. I couldn’t have asked for more. Countless trees and orangutans were saved by that decision.
You are an Empathy Lab trained author for your ‘Dealing with Feelings’ series, what does this mean with regard to what you can offer schools?
It means I have been trained by EmpathyLab in how to talk to children about empathy. It also means I have an incredible team of authors and empathy-experts to help shape and craft my Dealing with Feeling events, so children get the most out of them. If you would like to know more about EmpathyLab, visit their website or come to their FREE online festival on 8th June. I’ll be doing an Empathy 360 walk at 10am. It’s going to be great. Promise.
Do you feel there is enough support out there for young people’s mental health?
It’s getting better, but mental health amongst young people isn’t taken anywhere near as seriously as it is with adults.
How do you decide which emotion or environmental theme to focus on for your books?
I work closely with Greenpeace, so I always have a good sense of what needs talking and writing about. But sometimes it’ll be an issue that has affected me personally. For example, since I’ve started diving again, protecting the ocean has become very important to me, which is why I’m developing a book with a publisher about overfishing. With the dealing with feeling series, I actually wrote a few books before pitching them to New Frontier, covering a range of emotions. New Frontier make the final decisions on which emotion comes out when.
How do you involve the more reluctant readers and writers in sessions?
My sessions are more about listening, learning and discussing themes in a fun and interactive way. There are questions. There are games. There are plenty of opportunities to shout and sing and dance. Actually, I tend not to do the dancing anymore. That descended into chaos last time.
You also work in film and TV. Is this as exciting as people imagine and does it influence your school visits?
It’s never the focus of my sessions, but I’m always happy to talk to schools about my environmental film work, especially older classes. Last year, I co-wrote a song called Better Days with Craig David about getting the train for environmental reasons, which a few schools asked me to show and talk about during book week. I’m just about to film another big Greenpeace project called Don’t Stop, which I’d be happy to show and talk about in any upcoming visits.
You’ve been on a few TV shows and met a lot of celebrities. Any particularly memorable moments or favourites?
Dame Emma Thompson was the voice over for the original There’s a Rang-tan in my Bedroom animation, so I got to hang out with her a few times. She was incredible. Also, just before Christmas last year, I got to work with Nile Rodgers, which was VERY cool.
You have won quite a few awards – how big is your mantlepiece?
I’m genuinely running out of room. I’ve started using them as doorstops.
What books inspired you as a child?
Anything by Roald Dahl. I’m sure most authors say that, but I really was obsessed. Both with his stories and his poems. I used to take Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts everywhere with me.
What has been your favourite moment from visiting a school so far?
My visits are always interactive with plenty of opportunities to answer questions. It’s safe, however, to say that I wasn’t totally prepared for some of the answers. Kids really do say the funniest things. I once asked a class what they do to turn anger back into calm and one child answered, “get sweet revenge.” I asked another class what they’d do if they found Rang-tan in their bedroom and a child answered, “call pest control.” Sometimes, I’ll ask a question, pick a hand and they’ll just ask if they can tell me a joke they’d recently heard. I always say yes of course.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m excited to announce that I have more books coming out in the Dealing with Feeling series with New Frontier. I’m also developing a book about overfishing, bottom-trawling and protecting our ocean. And I’m about to film a big climate change project for Greenpeace, specifically focussing on how we can give young people more of a say when it comes to making important decisions that will ultimately shape their future.
You’ve visited some schools overseas for us virtually, as the world opens up again is there anywhere in particular you are hoping we send you?
The Antarctic.
Quick Fire
Morning or night person?
Night.
Explore marine wildlife or the jungle?
Marine. No, jungle. No, marine. No, jungle. Yeah, jungle. Actually, marine. Hmm. We could be here all day. Pass. No, jungle. Are there marine jungles?
Would you rather be able to speak to animals or teleport?
Speak to animals. Although, I imagine they would spend most of their time complaining about humans and all of the terrible things we do.
What is scarier a hippo the size of a hamster or a gerbil the size of an elephant?
A gerbil the size of an elephant.
How would you have calmed down King Kong?
I would have tickled his feet and given him a copy of Storm Goliath to read.
If you were Prime Minister for the day, what law would you introduce?
I’d immediately ban bottom-trawling in UK oceans.
Arrange for James Sellick to visit your school
To make an enquiry about James Sellick, or any of the other authors, poets & illustrators listed on this website, please contact us as follows
UK visits
Email: UKbookings@caboodlebooks.co.uk
Or contact Head of UK Visits, Yvonne - 01535 279850
Overseas Visits
Email:Overseasvisits@caboodlebooks.co.uk
Or contact Overseas Manager, Robin - +44(0) 1535 279853