Christopher Cheng: a career in books
featuring Dragon Folding
Author Interview at PaperbarkWords
“And this time, when Mr Singer’s fingers fumbled, the young boy helped. Very soon a flight of dragons had arrived.’ (Dragon Folding)
Dragon Folding is Christopher Cheng’s most recent picture book (2024), illustrated by Lucia Masciullo & published by Puffin.
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Thank you for speaking to ‘Joy in Books’ at PaperbarkWords, Christopher.
This interview forms a companion piece to our interview in Magpies magazine (November 2024).
Career & Books
You’ve had a long-running and celebrated career as a children’s book author.
What sparked your writing career and how has it developed over time?
I always thought when I was first published that I would write a few non-fiction titles, shout “Wow. I wrote that!” and then continue teaching. But the few became many across genres. And then I fell into what really absorbs me and gives me the greatest thrill – writing picture books – and that is because I am able to see another creative work in something I am absolutely USELESS at doing—creating stunning art. I failed art in kindergarten and my teacher knows it (sorry Mrs. Kane). It is the most amazing experience to see another person’s interpretation of my few hundred words. Each new book will be accompanied with an exclamation along the lines of oh.my.gosh-how.did.they.do.that!
But what sparked my writing? Quite probably way back in 3rd and 5th grade when my teacher, at least weekly regaled us with his rather imaginative stories on the exploits of Mr. Bradburn and Dr Waddington. I still know that teacher and we still laugh over that each time. I think he is flabergastulated (yes mine!) too.
How have you been mentored along the way?
I’ve never been one to talk about what I’m writing now but most definitely for me it’s more immersion with other creatives and libraries … an advantage when you were a primary school teacher and especially when your wife is a teacher librarian, and also an advantage when you were a bookseller. Some of our closest friends are other creatives, I’m very blessed like that, and they have also been so generous with their suggestions and thoughts and ideas and TIME – but most of all their friendship. Being surrounded by creatives you naturally absorb some of their knowledge.
Even today I often don’t talk about what I am writing now, or what I plan to create next … until I have finished the now and the next. Possibly because the final writing I might not want to share with anyone. Some writings are just for me (and my wife).
How do you mentor or ‘give back’ now?
I am an ambassador for the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature … I know, that is a mouthful but NCACL for short. And for folks who have not discovered NCACL.org.au – dig deep. There is so much there in our HOME of Australian kids lit.
I am also on the International Advisory Council for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI.org – I know another mouthful) headquartered in the USA; advice, programs, initiatives and ideas there are part of what I do; SCBWI’s Bologna showcase for quite a few years promoting kids’ books and especially illustrators; and I created SCBWI’s International Crystal Kite Awards.
And I talk, one to one and at international conferences! I’ve done a deal of that lately to a number of folks, both new and on the journey, needing advice, opinions, suggestions and more. I find talking often provides a more personal expression and sharing of the knowledge than sending lists of things to do, or not to do.
Some of my personal favourites of your picture books are One Child, illustrated by Steven Woolman, published 1999, and One Tree, illustrated by Bruce Whatley(2019). I was chair of the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards judging panel when One Tree was shortlisted in 2020. We thought it excellent, and our report is at the end of this interview.
Please tell us a little about some of your other books.
Bear and Rat, the story I wrote for me initially but especially for my wife (every story I write is for her – she was always my first set of eyes) is the story about us and what we were going through and what might happen. It’s a story of unconditional love and complete devotion.
Dragon Folding is about an old man and a young boy and about the strength of community and the magic that can come from the innocence of a child. It was sparked by my godson and his words to me.
Powerful Like a Dragon – releasing in 2025 the USA, is my family story and especially my then three-year-old uncle, escaping the invading Japanese army in World War 2. It is powerful. It is evocative. It made my cousins and more than a few other family members weep when they were shown page proofs at our very big family reunion.
Quolls, is another Nature Story Book title with the most luscious illustrations by Cindy Lane, and Moon Festival with my Chinese publisher.
And then there is another next title that is about… Well I can’t tell you any more than that right now.
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Dragon Folding
Dragon Folding, illustrated by Lucia Masciullo, is one of your standout picture books. It gently tells the tale of Mr Singer and his journey through grief, reconnection with community and slow mending.
You’ve dedicated the book to Evan, also the name of your child protagonist. Who is Evan and why have you dedicated the book to him?
It’s ALL Evan’s fault (I type with a wry grin). One lunchtime when I was tootling to our local cafe for lunch with Evan and his family and when I was going through an extremely rough trough where there seemed to be no silver lining to any of the black clouds that were consuming me, Evan was holding my hand and carrying his Lego model of, yes, a dragon. When he dropped it he asked me to help him put it together again. Of course the clouds didn’t let that happen and so I replied not this time. But Evan persisted (not pestered) through lunch and eventually I succumbed and we re-dragoned his dragon. Some time later when the clouds had lightened I remembered this moment, and I found the idea in my note book and that became Dragon Folding. I still get a smothering hug from Evan and his brothers every time I see them. That’s sooo perfect.
What is the significance of Mr Singer’s name?
Most names in Dragon Folding are for people who have helped me enormously recently. Singer is a name I always wanted to use and originally he was going to be Mr. Evans, a beeutiful elderly neighbour when I was growing up (that’s another story there) but having Evan and Mr. Evans would have been too confusing.
Please tell us more about the dragon tree, an intriguing feature of the book.
I always imagined from the time I was the size of a dragon scale, that there was a tree from which dragons could originate and if you are a dragon lover then you will take hold of anything to do with dragons; plates, embossed pens, ornaments, painted on and shaped vases, paperweights, sculptures, figurines, Lego models, and so much more—even dragon robes (the emperor’s coat with a five clawed dragon). And of course a dragon tree. Dragon Trees (Dracaena draco) are real! And, this is Year of the Dragon! And do examine closely the book as Lucia beautifully and artistically reveals the tree.
Dragon Folding and Bear and Rat belong together.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could choose an illustration from each book that captures the loving connection between your characters. You may wish to explain how or why.
The illustration above from Dragon Folding displays community joy, the importance of beeutiful memories and togetherness and the colour palette contrasted with the grey and sadness of the old man being alone, is evocative. So much is relayed in this illustration.
While the illustration above shows the light that is once again ignited and is starting to filter through between the old man and his interaction with Evan. It’s a taste of the coming joy.
This exquisite art above by Stephen Michael King from Bear and Rat brings tears to so very many eyes whenever it is seen. It is simply a perfect display of the unbreakable loving connection even through the harshest of storms.
Lately most of my books seem to have community empowerment, friendship and caring, and love as a core element so I want to mention these:
Above is one of Bruce’s stunning illustrations from One Tree that shows the tenderness and care and it is the essence of what this story is about—that little shoot, missed by every shoe and sandal that has walked by becomes the impetus for a forested apartment block. And then transfer that thought to little people … you don’t know what they might do, so protect them and nurture them and give them protection and be patient with them and watch them blossom.
While the illustration above shows the joy of family and friends through generations. Aren’t those smiles just the most heartwarming?
And this image above from Imagineer of Penny tinkering shows the industriousness and the persistence of Penny and her I can do it / creative / scientific attitude.
While Penny and her grandfather working together are wonderfully portrayed in this illustration below – the older and the younger, showing the beeutiful loving relationship – and the mutual respect of the two characters.
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Thanks Joy (and PaperBark Words) for the chance to continue words about my books. I will add that without the amazing illustrators who create stunning art to accompany my words, and my wonderful editor and the publishing team, these books would simply be fleeting sparks in my sometimes frazzled brain. And of course, most vitally, my very best friend, my beeutiful wife who enabled me to stay home and write.
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2020 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards Judge Report
Shortlist
One Tree by Christopher Cheng, illustrated by Bruce Whatley
One Tree is a heart-warming story about family, environment, progress and nurture. Grandfather used to live in a farming village, surrounded by nature, next to the tallest tree on the mountain. Now, he lives in a city apartment. But when his grandson finds a small plant nestled between the paving stones of the marketplace in the busy grey city, the old man is nourished and revitalised. His memory comes alive, and with a little love and care that one plant becomes many.
One Tree is a quiet, simple, life-affirming story, yet its message echoes long after the pages are closed. The stunning naturalistic wood-cut illustrations are unusual and ambitious for an Australian children’s picture book and successfully conjure the gentle wisdom of grandfather, and the curiosity and wonder of grandchild. One Tree is a nostalgic, multilayered narrative which highlights the importance of the natural world, and of understanding and honouring our elders and their histories.
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