GABRIEL EVAN’s book Listen, Hippo! is a picture book that explores the nature of feelings and the importance of being heard.
We caught up with Gabriel to ask him about what he learned from writing his book.
What sparked the idea for this book?
The idea for Listen, Hippo! arose when I was sitting at my desk drawing in my sketchbook – this is how stories usually start for me.
I kept drawing this large, exuberant hippopotamus who seemed resolute on being happy. He was infectiously positive as he pranced about the page. I then drew a small, quiet child next to him. It felt like the child had something to say but the hippo was far too busy to listen. This set up the premise for the entire story.
What was your favourite part of creating this book?
My favourite part of making this book is illustrating the final art. The manuscript has been finished, the i’s are dotted, the t’s are dashed and the storyboard is drawn.
It’s now time to brew a coffee, select a music playlist (often something instrumental) and prepare my paints before I immerse myself in the world I’ve created. I find this stage immensely satisfying.
I particularly loved illustrating the pages where Billy describes his emotions. Some of these scenes and descriptions predate the book as images and ideas in my sketchbook.
Billy just wants to be listened to, what inspired his character?
I think we’ve all been a Billy at some point. For me, he is a quiet and thoughtful character who can recognise and express his emotions. I think his ability to articulate how he feels is a very special gift.
How did you come up with the idea for Hippo’s character?
Although I toyed with the idea of Billy confiding in a person, I decided that an animal – in this case, a hippo – served best as his confidant.
Hippo is such a big, warm personality, he just needs to learn to listen.
What was the most interesting insight you learned from developing this book?
I think the biggest realisation was how often I can be a ‘hippo’. I need to be a better listener. I hope I’m getting better at that.
Describe the book in 3 words.
Heartfelt, humorous, hopeful.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gabriel Evans is a Western Australian children’s book author and illustrator. Working primarily in watercolour and pencil, he creates books from a small studio on a big hill. Gabriel’s books are published internationally in more than twelve countries, have been reviewed in The New York Times, translated into ten languages and read on ABC-TV’s Play School.
Blue Flower by Sonya Hartnett, his first picture book with Penguin Random House, was shortlisted for the CBCA Picture Book of the Year in 2022. His second picture book with Penguin, A Friend for George, was published in 2023, followed by Listen, Hippo! released in 2024.
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