5 Questions With Cece Bell

“Bee-Wigged” is at the top of my wonderfully crazy picture books of the year list. About a bee who wears a toupee and is mistaken for a boy, “Bee-Wigged” is a funny, well executed tale about first impressions and being yourself. Author/Illustrator Cece Bell was kind enough to stop by and take part in the 100 Scope Notes “5 Questions With…” series.

Scope Notes: On the flap for “Bee-Wigged”, you explain that the story owes much to your childhood. Did you set out to write about “seeing beyond the weirdness” of others, or did the idea of a bee who’s mistaken for a boy come first and remind you of those past experiences?

Cece Bell: Actually, the idea came first, and it wasn’t until I showed the proofs to a good friend of mine, that I realized that the story was a bit autobiographical. My friend (Kelli, the one to whom the book is dedicated) read it and said, “Jerry Bee is YOU!” And when I re-read it, I realized she was more than right. But really, I like to think that everybody has some Jerry Bee in them, though, because just about everybody has some element of weirdness to them (a good thing), but still yearns to belong.

SN: You are also the author and illustrator of the “Sock Monkey” books. What are the pros and cons of writing/illustrating a series?

The main con is that it is sometimes difficult to keep the stories fresh. Hopefully I’ve done that.

SN: Thanks, I’ll be looking forward to your work in the future.

CB: Thank YOU! And while you’re enjoying Bee-Wigged, start thinking about Itty Bitty, out in June 2009, from Candlewick Press. It’s my attempt to write something a little less goofy, a little more Provensen-style sweet.

• Monday: Sam Riddleburger’s Blog
• Tuesday: Madelyn Rosenberg’s Poop Deck
• Wednesday: Plastic Pumpkins
• Thursday: Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
• Thursday: Bookstogether
• Friday: Here
• Saturday: Cece’s Blog – She’ll be giving out an amazing DOOR PRIZE — an actual illustration from Bee-Wigged!

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