Wizzil
By William Steig
Farrar Straus Giroux, $16
ISBN 0374384665

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Title of your new book:
Wizzil by William Steig

Describe your work in 50 words or less:
It is a story bout Wizzil, who is a witch who wants to be horrible to everyone -- especially the Frimp family. But it has a happy ending -- can't tell you what!

The book is by William Steig who is a great author and illustrator. I have admired him for years, so it was really great to have the chance to do the pictures for his book.

What has been the biggest influence on your work?
Artists who draw -- Rowlandson, Picasso, Rembrandt, George Cruikshank etc etc etc...

I wish I was as good...

What was your favorite subject in school? Why?
English...because I love reading and I love books. And Art of course -- I used to draw in the school magazine.

Who was your childhood hero?
When I was 10 -- Sexton Blake -- a fictional detective. He had almost the same name as me. And then at 15 -- honore Daumier, the French artist and cartoonist.

What books did you read as a child?
Adventure stories -- books about animals and birds.

Do you write/illustrate other types of books? If so, what kinds?
Picture books I write myself.

Adult books -- Don Quixote, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Poetry anthologies.

If you could trade places with one extremely famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
Dangerous to change anything! But it could be Charles Dickens. What it would be like to be writing Oliver Twist or David Copperfield.

What message would you like to send to all children?
You can do something for the world.

See you soon in a book!

Quentin Blake is the Children's Laureate of the United Kingdom and the recipient of the Kate Greenaway Medal, among other prestigious awards. Wizzil is published by Farrar Straus Giroux.