Interview with Bethany Clark Conducted by a Author
Bethany Clark, a South Australian writer and editor, has captured the hearts of young readers with her humorous picture books. Her debut book, "You've Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils," is a joyful celebration of messy mealtimes, while her second book, "Little Love List," perfectly captures the simple, everyday moments that make childhood special.
Clark's husband suggested she write down the story of "You've Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils" so she would remember it. The book was inspired by watching her son learn to eat solid foods and was written to help children learn the names of foods and body parts, all while normalizing the mess that babies make during this learning process. The book serves as a subtle feminist manifesto in a picture book format.
"Little Love List," on the other hand, was born from nightly bedtime conversations between Clark and her son. The idea for the book came about as a list of ways they loved each other, and it became a nightly request from her son. The book aims to normalize the daily rollercoaster of life with small children.
Clark's creative process often includes drawing on personal experiences and observations of children’s behaviour, as well as incorporating humor and thematic messages about love, identity, or family. Unfortunately, specific insights into her artistic and narrative inspirations for these books are not widely available, but looking for interviews with her, her personal or publisher’s website, or author talks and articles dedicated to her work would likely provide the most reliable insights.
When she's not writing, Clark enjoys unwinding at Stansbury, Yorke Peninsula, where she hopes to start writing retreats later this year. "You've Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils" and "Little Love List" are both featured in Australian children's book collections and have been recognised for their appeal and relevance in children's literature. If you're looking for a book that reflects the hilarious and challenging experiences of everyday life with small children, look no further than Bethany Clark's picture books.
Bethany Clark's creativity extends beyond picture books, as she often includes family dynamics, home-and-garden experiences, and relationships in her work. Her husband's suggestion led to the creation of "You've Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils," a story about food-and-drink adventures. On the other hand, "Little Love List" stems from bedtime conversations, focusing on fashion-and-beauty and the love between family members. Pets, travel, cars, and cars are not directly mentioned in the given text, but Bethany Clark's love for life's simple joys hints at a potential interest in these areas.
