INSPIRATIONS FROM THE BOOKSHELF Adebayo Adegbembo
Every illustrator and writer has grown up with inspirations from a variety of sources.
This week illustrator Rekha Salin wanted to find out what gives illustrator Adebayo Adegbembo the most inspiration.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Adebayo Adegbembo, I'm a children’s book author and software engineer. I’ve always been fascinated by children’s media having founded a previous business around educational game apps for children. I love creating things! The process of taking an idea from the abstract to reality excites me in ways I can’t explain, hence I’m always writing codes, ideas, journal entry (been journaling for over 20 years) or story drafts.
I’m originally from Nigeria but moved to the UK in 2018. The birth of my daughter in 2020 rekindled my interest in creating stories for children like her, hence, my most recent book, The Accent. Traveling is one of the best things to ever happen to me, hence my love for cultural attributes especially languages.
Which genre do you write/illustrate for?
My writing genre has been primarily educational culturally themed books. In my previous business, these were language-learning books for children and most recently, it’s been story-based culturally themed books drawing from my growing experiences. My approach with any book I write has been to make them playable, hence I develop complementary game apps to bring the stories alive in more engaging ways to the children.
My writing genre has been primarily educational culturally themed books. In my previous business, these were language-learning books for children and most recently, it’s been story-based culturally themed books drawing from my growing experiences. My approach with any book I write has been to make them playable, hence I develop complementary game apps to bring the stories alive in more engaging ways to the children.
Examples of Adebayo's work.
With respect to children’s books, sometimes, the inspiration comes from picturing what the subject matter will mean to my daughter. I’ve not always gotten it right though, as there are certain books she hasn’t fancied picking up, so I end up reading them myself. I must confess I’m also a little biased in that I tend to buy multiple books from certain authors and illustrators I dream of working with someday! Lastly, I love books that I can experience across multiple platforms, so if a book exists beyond print to say, an app or toy, I’d buy them for inspiration.
When it comes to others, I love non-fiction historical and business books and the inspiration for picking up any comes from recommendations.
A few books from Adebayo's shelves.
Are you inspired by books from multiple genres or those written and illustrated by the same author/illustrator?
Oh yes, there are certain authors and illustrators that I buy their books regardless of genre. I’ve always been a fan of Dapo Adeola’s illustrations and my daughter loves his books, so I have quite a few with more on my radar.
Dr. Seuss books were a major part of my childhood and I’m still inspired by them. I have fond memories of them and glad they now exist as apps so I have them on my iPad.
On another note, I’m a fan of Chimamanda Adichie’s works because they are so relatable to my background. Purple Hibiscus stands out as my best!
Do you bring your inspirations into your work?
Yes, I bring my inspirations into my work because my stories usually have cultural themes to them. These days, I like to think I’m writing to/for my daughter given the cultural differences between our backgrounds - my upbringing compared to hers. So, fusing cultural elements into my writings helps me express certain things she may otherwise not know (and perhaps still too young to understand) but I’m happy for her to grow into them.
Also, from a game app point of view, I’m inspired by the playful interactions that I see in certain stories, hence I'm always keen to experiment with those in my creations.
How do you keep your work fresh, original and unique and avoid it looking like your inspiration?
The nature of my stories which draw from cultural themes usually has me working with multiple creative on any project. Hence, it’s not uncommon to have as many as half a dozen or more folks working with me on any project. For example, illustrators, sound engineer, voiceover etc. and this is because I like to create my stories across multiple platforms or formats – app, print, video. That aspect of working with others who have better understanding of the areas in question - story facts, expertise in sound or voice accent - always brings a unique touch to my works.
Adebayo's workspace.
Does your book shelf have all the books that you love or inspired you?
Not really because my bookshelf can only hold so much I guess 😊.
Which are the main few books that have inspired your work and yet not on your bookshelf?
Dr. Seuss books - it’s somewhere in my parent’s house I think.
Dr. Seuss inspiration.
Are there any books that have inspired you in a way that you really wish you worked on a text like that or you wish you thought of the unique way of storytelling?
A few years ago, I picked up Tom Percival’s Ruby’s Worry and I loved how he captured the subject of our fears. I can also say same for Momoko Abe’s When the sun goes home. There’s something about the creative expressions of certain psychological emotions in children’s books that inspire what I’d love to imbibe in my writing journey.
*Header image: Ell Rose and Tita Burred
All other images provided by Adebayo Adegbembo
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Adebayo Adegbembo is the creator of The Accent. Adebayo develops web apps, interactive story apps and children's books.
Rekha Salin has three books published as an illustrator. Two picture books – one in 2020 and the other in 2022 – and also a recipe book, (for adults), in 2022 published by ABV Publishing.
She worked with Gnome Road Publishing on a picture book which was published in October 2024.
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Tita Berredo is the Illustrator Coordinator of SCBWI British Isles and the Art Director of Words & Pictures.
Contact her at: illuscoordinator@britishscbwi.org
Ell Rose is the Illustration Features Editor of Words & Pictures.
Find their work at www.fourfooteleven.com.
Contact them at illustrators@britishscbwi.org
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