by Robin Anderson
Phoebe Wahl is an author-artist living in Bellingham, Washington. Her debut picture book “Sonya’s Chickens” is a beautiful tale of raising animals and how families care for one another.
“Sonya’s Chickens” captures the love children experience toward animals. What pets did you grow up with?
We had a cat when I was very young, and then for most of my childhood I had rats! Despite their negative connotations rats make fantastic pets, they’re very smart, friendly and cuddly. We got chicks briefly when I was about eleven, but they all turned out to be roosters! I bonded with the runt, who we kept for a while. He would follow me around everywhere, and loved to be petted and held. We ended up giving him away to a nearby family, where he lived out his days in their house with them!
Do you raise chickens now?
Not at the moment, hopefully someday, when I have my own garden too!
Your book addresses the challenging subject of the circle of life when one of Sonya’s chickens is snatched up by a fox. Sonya’s father explains that the fox was tending to its family much like people and other animals do. What responses have you gotten from families who’ve read the book?
So far I’ve only had really kind thanks from families on tackling this subject. I didn’t set out to write a book about death, but loss cropped up organically as part of the universal experience of having a pet. It seems to really resonate with people because it is such a common occurrence, and many parents have expressed being unsure of how to explain death (specifically in relation to the food chain) to children. They are grateful to have the book as a bit of a road map. It can be upsetting, as it really boils down to nothaving control over the natural world. I think it’s important for children to understand that, just as I think it’s important to honor children’s grief, and celebrate it in a way, as an indicator of being so wonderfully human.
What are your favorite animals?
Right now: otters, bats and pikas.
Your illustrations have a beautiful homey feel to them. What has influenced your art?
Much of my inspiration comes from the work of other illustrators: Alice Provenson, Barbara Cooney, Elsa Beskow, Tove Jansson, Faith Ringgold, William Steig, Andre Francois, Eli- sa Kleven, Garth Williams, Roger Duvoisin, Pauline Baynes, Francoise Seignobosc, and painters like Maud Lewis, Matisse, Cassatt, Kirchner, Burchfield and Grandma Moses.
The bulk of my influences come from life experiences. Many of the landscapes and interiors I illustrate are chimeras of places I have known and loved. I know how they smell and feel, what birds you can hear, where the floorboards creak. My art practice feels like a constant attempt to capture the feeling of ‘home’, all of the wildness that surrounds it and the comforts and trappings inside it.
What was it like growing up homeschooled?
Wonderful! I was a kindergarten drop out, unschooled from then on. From a young age I was trusted with time and freedom to explore and delve into the things that made me come alive with passion and curiosity. There was no curriculum, no set schedule. I honed in on and gained confidence in the things that interested me, mostly art, writing, nature, dress-up, and reading “Little Women” over and over.
What were your favorite parts about growing up in the Pacific Northwest?
My favorite part is how readily available nature was. Lush forests, mountains and beaches are all close by. I spent much of my time as a kid laying in the yard, exploring, building forts and fairy houses, watching, listening, and smelling the landscapes around me. I think that kind of intimacy with the outdoors is invaluable. When you have a deep bond with a landscape, acting as a steward to preserve and celebrate your environment comes naturally, and will completely inform your life practices as an adult.
What other projects are you working on?
Right now I’m finishing up illustrating the 2016 calendar for Taproot Magazine. I make one for them annually, as well as products such as paper dolls and journals. I’m also working on my next book! I have so many more stories up my sleeve, the hardest part is deciding which one to focus on next!
Phoebe Wahl will be reading her beautiful new picture book “Sonya’s Chickens” at Green Bean Books on Sunday, October 4th at 11am.
Robin Anderson loves sharing books for readers of all ages at Green Bean Books and Powell’s Books. Originally from outside of Buffalo, NY, she is proud to call Portland home.