Best-selling creative duo, Ben Wood and Andrew McDonald, delve deep into the world of pigeons, twigs, and their new spin-off series in this jam (and bread)-packed episode.

In this episode, host Shara Curlett chats with illustrator Ben and author Andrew, both Melbourne-based, whose work has been translated into 26 languages and recognized by major Australian book awards.

Ben and Andrew discuss how creativity shaped their childhoods, their paths into publishing, and how Real Pigeons originated from Andrew’s observations of humans vs. pigeons, alongside a museum-inspired “fancy pigeon” concept. Whilst Ben shares his introduction to the publishing world, alongside how his illustrative style was discovered via Instagram, despite having been already published.

The duo explain their collaborative process balancing text, comics, pacing, and humour. Ben shares his illustrative process, and how all of the line work in Real Pigeons is pencil-on-paper. They also discuss using research and building an ongoing idea lists to create a long arc across the series.

They address books as an antidote to tech/AI and emphasise the need for creative problem-solving, before announcing a super top secret new project - a Real Pigeons spin-off, Homey: Special Agent Pigeon, launching March 2027 featuring Homey, and new sidekick Flykick!

Shara also shares her love for the Hello Twigs books, and how a particular one - Surprise! - entered her family rituals.

Ben and Andrew finish the episode by sharing their current reads, love of graphic novels, and lastly, their favourite book in the Real Pigeons series.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LINKS:

Real Pigeons Trap Snacks - Book 14 in the Real Pigeons series

Real Pigeons Website - realpigeons.com

Hello Twigs Website - hellotwigs.com

Ben Wood on Instagram - @benwoodillustrator

Ben Wood Website - benwood.com.au

Andrew McDonald on Instagram - mrandrewmcdonald

Andrew McDonald Website - mrandrewmcdonald.com

Follow The KidLit Pod on Instagram (@thekidlitpod)

Find out more about The KidLit Pod host, Shara Curlett, here:

Shara Curlett on Instagram (@sharacurlett)

Shara Curlett Website (www.sharacurlett.com)