Q&A with Alex Latimer

Posted on 15 March 2021

1. Tell us about your new book, Pip & Egg.

Pip and Egg is a heartwarming story of a pip and an egg who meet and become friends. But pips and eggs don’t stay the same forever – one day Pip grows a leaf and a root and soon after, Egg hatches. Egg wants to explore the world but pip must stay rooted to one spot. Their lives are suddenly so different and Pip misses his friend – but where in all the world do you think Egg chooses to built a nest and lay an egg of her own? In the branches of her friend Pip, of course.

2. What was it like working with David Litchfield?

David is an amazing illustrator. Once he was on board I just knew the book would be beautiful, he took the story and ran with it. He has an incredible eye for detail and the interplay between light and dark. I’m absolutely thrilled with the images he’s produced for this book. Children and grown-ups will love them and love Pip and Egg.

3. Pip & Egg is a wonderful story of friendship. Were you inspired by any of your real life friends to write this story?

I have a handful of good friends who I don’t see very often because they live far away – it can be five or ten or fifteen years between visits but when we’re together it’s like we’ve never been apart. Those are the important friendships in life and Pip and Egg have that same bond that crosses time and space.

4. What would you like young readers to take away from this story?

The importance of good friends – the kind you’ve known your whole life, the kind of friend who loves and cares for you just the way you are. And not just having good friends, but being a good friend too.

5. What is your top tip for aspiring picture book writers?

Don’t get stuck on the first story you write. Write a lot of stories. Some won’t be good, and that’s fine. But keep writing. The more you write the better you get and the really good ones will come along.


6. What is your favourite part about being an author?

I still get a thrill every time I hold a finished book of mine in my hand for the first time. I love seeing an idea come to life.

Pip and Egg by Alex Latimer and David Litchfield is published in May 2021.