TWO of the biggest names in children's literature have written a quirky story book based on the popular theme of the imaginary friend.
Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers assert that just because a friendship is imaginary doesn't mean it's not real.
That's the message the writers bring in their new book Imaginary Fred, a book which celebrates the power of imagination.
The pair developed their own friendship two years ago during a series of book festivals in Australia and New Zealand.
Novelist Colfer, who is currently Laureate na nÓg, Ireland’s laureate for children’s literature, admits to having several imaginary friends as a child.
"They all tended to be from whatever book I was reading at the time," says the Wexford writer who still has characters floating around his mind – only they are now his own creations.
"Imaginary Fred was unusual in that normally publishers or our agents come to us and say 'We have an illustrator', but we got there before them and did it ourselves which worked out really well," said Eoin, who is best known for his fantasy books, in particular the Artemis Fowl series.
This is youngest audience Colfer has written for and he admits that working with Belfast native Jeffers has made him start to think differently about how he works and about future picture-book collaborations.
"It's been great for me working with Oliver because I've unlocked another little drawer in my imagination – another way to think. Oliver has taught me to show and not tell, so when I get an idea I am saying 'I don't need to say that because someone can draw that'.
The former primary school teacher, first had the idea of writing a book from the point of view of an imaginary friend a number of years ago.
"I could only get to a certain point and didn't realise what was missing until I met Oliver. I rewrote it a little and we were able to find time in our schedules to get together and do it."
Imaginary Fred explores emotions and feelings through Fred and Sam, the boy who summons him and shares his love of reading, music and trying to understand how the toilet works.
"Really the book is about friendship between two real people. If you dig a little bit deeper Fred is really the friend who has less confidence. He thinks he might be discarded. That happens a lot in schools," explains Colfer who believes that fiction and using our imagination is crucial for mental well-being.
"Unfortunately we are all told from an early age to grow up and live in the real world but actuality it's very healthy to explore your imagination. It's synomymous with exploring your emotions. I constantly tell myself 'Don't grow up, think about fairies, live in your head.' It's not healthy all the time, but it's certainly healthy some of the time."
The role of the Laureate na nÓg involves honouring the talent of Ireland's many writers and illustrators; celebrating literature and recognising its crucial place in the lives of children and bringing people together in Ireland and internationally to talk about children’s books.
Colfer, who holds the title for two years, is enjoying the experience and this month also sees the publication of the Laureate na nÓg's anthology, Once upon a Place, a collection of stories and poems for children that focuses on the special link between story and place in Ireland.
It features six new poems by Irish poets alongside stories from Roddy Doyle, Derek Landy, Siobhán Parkinson, and the first ever story for children by film director Jim Sheridan.
"I love going into the classroom and talking books with kids. We just want to spread stories to every part of the country to as many kids as we can. We've been as far north as Tory Island and as far south as the Dingle Penninsula."
Colfer's advice on helping children develop a life-long love of reading is to start reading to them at a young age and to make learning to read fun through games and competitions.
And what authors does he find children are enjoying reading? "David Walliams is very popular at the moment as is Derek Landy. Oliver [Jeffers] is hugely popular with younger readers and I seem to be popular with the mums and dads who read Artimus Fowl," he laughs.
Aimed at the young-adult audience, Artimus Fowl focuses on a 12-year-old criminal mastermind who kidnaps a fairy in order to expand his empire.
The series of eight books has sold more than 21 million copies worldwide and is currently being adapted for the big screen. Robert De Niro will executive produce the film and Kenneth Branagh has just been announced as director.
"If Saoirse Ronan was available she would be incredible. She looks like a little elf and would be perfect as Holly," Colfer says.
While he admits he never had an imaginary friend as a child, Jeffers says he had "an imaginary world".
The award-winning author and illustrator of books such as Lost and Found, The Hueys and The Day the Crayons Quit enjoyed working on Imaginary Fred, which could be described as a bridge between a picture book and a chapter book.
"It was a truly organic collaboration. Eoin was quite open to listening to suggestions from me and I was quite open to listening to suggestions from him. It was an organic process.
"It's a different type of book; I would never have come up with an idea like this so it was a great opportunity to experiment with something different," says Jeffers who combined his trademark line-drawings with gently coloured pixelation for the imaginary characters.
"To use pixels with one-spot colour was visually powerful."
Having become a dad just over three months ago to little Harland, does he see himself moving into board books for a toddler audience?
"I dare say it will influence my work, but it's too early to say," he laughs.
As for Colfer, his next book will be a graphic novel with Andrew Duncan about refugees fleeing from Africa to Italy.
"I know that subject doesn't need to be brought to the fore at the moment, but maybe this novel will keep it to the fore," he adds.
- Imaginary Fred by Eoin Colfer, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, is published by HarperCollins.
