A fabulous "This or That" interview with the creators of "The Marvellous Moon Map" published today by Red Fox Picture Books. Over to you Teresa and David!

We're celebrating the publication of a fantastic book, the first collaboration between two of our fave kidlit folk.

Teresa Heapy and David Litchfield have combined their considerable talents, coming up with a beautiful tale of friendship, determination and a fantastic quest. "The Marvellous Moon Map" is out today, but before you dash off to pick up a copy, we're lucky enough to have Teresa guesting on the blog, submitting herself to a "This or That" grilling, ReadItDaddy style.

Teresa and David have come up with some fantastic answers to our tricky questions, so let's dive straight in!

Q1 - Welcome to the blog, tell us a little bit about yourself and your new book

Teresa:
I’m a children’s author - hooray! What a wonderful job to have. I’ve written the four Very Little picture books (including the award-winning Very Little Red Riding Hood), illustrated by Sue Heap, and I’ve got three new picture books coming out next year, which is very exciting.

In The Marvellous Moon Map, Mouse wants to find the Moon, so he makes a Marvellous Map and sets off on his own. But when he gets lost in the dark Woods, he finds he really needs his friend Bear to help him along the way. And he needs his Map too - but not in the way he thought he would!...

The story was inspired by lots of different things - a show in which I acted (where I had to make lots of paper boats!), various pieces of music and a particular phrase of my daughter’s. I’m so proud of the book. David’s illustrations are completely stunning and it’s a joy to be working with him.

David:

I’m David. I’m an illustrator and I draw pictures in my attic. I loved drawing The Marvellous Moon Map. Teresa’s story is so incredibly sweet and it was a very happy experience turning her words into pictures.

Q2 - Chocolate or Cheese?

Teresa:

Chocolate! Always chocolate. Cold, dark chocolate (I keep my not-so-secret stash in a special box in the fridge). 

David:
Oooh, put them together and you have Chocolate Cheescake. Which is one of the greatest things ever (this is the BEST answer ever! - RID)

Q3- Pens or pencils?

Teresa:
Pens. And a notebook. I always have pens and a notebook to hand.

David:

Pen’s. Its too easy to rub pencils out and I like seeing mistakes sometimes. Some of my best ideas came from mistakes.

Q4 - Star Wars or Star Trek

Teresa:
Star Wars all the way. I was swept away by A New Hope (as we now have to call it) when I was little, and now I particularly love the character of Rey in The Force Awakens. I have a very clear memory of watching it with my daughter sitting beside me, and weeping tears of joy at such a strong, positive female character.

David: 
Star Wars. 100%. Every day.

Q5 - Are you Bear (from the story) or are you Mouse?

Teresa:
I think I’m probably more Bear than Mouse - I’m always running around as we leave the house, offering my children extra layers of clothing (which they generally refuse). I’m a bit of a homebody, not least because I work at home. But I’m also with Mouse and his love of adventure and travel!

David: 
I would like to think I’m Bear who is kind and considerate and thinks things through. But in reality I’m probably more like Mouse who’s a bit of a hothead and over impulsive.  


Q6 - Seaside or Countryside?

Teresa:

Seaside. I’d love to live near the seaside. Sadly, Oxford is about as far away as you can get from the seaside. But we do have a river...

David: 
I do like to be beside the seaside.

Q7 - Gym Bunny or Couch Potato? 

Teresa:  

I’ve never ever been to a gym. But I love running. And I also love our sofa.

David: 
Recently I’ve turned into a bit of a gym bunny. Which I never thought would happen ever, but my ‘Dad Bod’ has got a bit out of control recently. So I’m trying to sort it out. (Alas, same here - RID)


Q8 - Tea or Coffee? 

Teresa:

Hot chocolate. Both tea and coffee disagree with me, so it’s either hot chocolate or redbush tea (which my husband calls rubbish tea).

David: 
Coffee.


Q9 - Twitter or Facebook? 

Teresa:

Twitter. But I have to ration myself or I find time disappearing! (Yep, us too! - RID)

David: 
Twitter.

Q10 - Marmite lover or Marmite loather? 

Teresa:

Lover. Though I’m increasingly partial to Crunchy Peanut Butter instead.

David: 
I actually think Marmite is just ‘alright’.

Bonus Question - Marvellous Moon Map or Superstellar Sat Nav? 

Teresa:

It’s got to be the Moon Map, hasn’t it? David’s drawn such a thing of beauty, and I know Mouse researched it long and hard. Mind you, a Sat Nav does prevent a good few arguments and there’s scope for a few of those on a long journey into space...

David: 
Oh my, a Marvellous Moon Map definitely. No contest.

A huge thanks to both of you for some fantastic answers to our This or That questions, and the best of luck for an awesome launch!

"The Marvellous Moon Map" by Teresa Heapy and David Litchfield is out today, published by Red Fox Picture Books.