Macca the Alpaca is Back!
Read this Q&A with Macca the Alpaca’s creator, Matt Cosgrove, then buckle up for his brand-new adventure, Alpacas in Space.
First published in Scholastic Book Club
Little kids have amazing imaginations, and it turns out that alpacas like to think big too.
At least Matt Cosgrove’s alpacas do!
In his new picture book, Alpacas in Space, Macca the Alpaca and his best pal, Al, embark on out-of-this-world adventure that’s powered by their imaginations.
Your family will be super keen to go along for the ride, because there’s epic, cosmic fun ahead.
But before you launch into the book, get up to speed with Matt and his intrepid alpacas in the Q&A below.
3, 2, 1 – let’s go!
Q&A with children's book creator, Matt Cosgrove
Q: Alpacas in Space is the twelfth instalment in the Macca and Dharma picture book series, and there over 1.5 million Macca and Dharma books in print. Why do you think the series has been so successful?
Matt: Macca is cute and kind, the illustrations are bright and colourful, and the stories all have a sweet message, but are also (hopefully!) tonnes of fun to read.
Plus, the series serendipitously started just as the whole world seemed to collectively realise alpacas are awesome!
Q: What was the most rewarding part of illustrating this book? And do you have a favourite spread?
Matt: Illustrating traditionally is slow going, but the process of creating the pictures by hand is artistically fulfilling and very soothing – if you can ignore the deadlines!
Creating the double-page spread of Macca and Al’s rocket blasting off into the stars was definitely my favourite.
It’s such a cool subject and was also technically challenging, so it was genuinely a blast to create.
And I love to imagine that when kids reading the book get to that spread, they'll need to rotate the book to point the rocket into space, so it will be an exciting moment and actually transform the book from a static object into a truly interactive one.
Q: What art medium, and process, did you use to create the illustrations?
Matt: All the illustrations are created old-school style, by hand.
After I lay down a wash of watercolour paint to block out the areas of colour, I then spend hours drawing over the top, creating the texture and details through layers and layers of coloured pencil, with a few finishing touches of gouache paint.
Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Matt: Super speed!
I am slow at everything – writing, drawing, thinking, reading, running, housework, everything!
Being fast would be a wonderful novelty for me and would certainly come in handy with all my deadlines!
Q: What do you like to do when you are not creating books?
Matt: When I’m not making books myself, I'm hanging out in libraries reading other people's books, or browsing in bookstores buying other people’s books.
I'm a book tragic. My ‘to be read’ pile is a toppling tower!
Inside info about Matt Cosgrove
Matt lives in Sydney with his wife and two children.
He spends his days writing and drawing, and loves making kids laugh.
Matt’s series with his wife, Eva Amores, Worst Week Ever!, has sold into over 50 countries, making it a worldwide smash hit, and they have a new spin-off series, Worst Pets Ever!, coming later in the year.
Matt likes chocolate, avoiding social interactions, and more chocolate – which you can see in this KindiCare reel.
