Creating a world without words where imaginations can flourish
Aaron Becker embraces images as a means of communication. His work tends to shy away from words, relying instead on the inherent value captured in a picture and the power of imagination to tell stories that connect with all. He talks to Rob Green about books, art and becoming a Carnegies Medal winner.
AARON Becker, winner of this year’s Yoto Carnegie Medal for illustration and the Shadowers’ Choice award, describes himself as a reluctant reader, so it is perhaps no wonder that his books tend to be wordless. It is “how my brain works” he explains. And yet here he is working with books as his chosen format.
So how did a self-confessed reluctant reader become a successful author (albeit largely wordless) and illustrator. The straightforward answer is that he was encouraged to love books by his mother and given the freedom to explore them in his own way. So, while some children were reading novels, he was looking through architecture books. That non-judgemental approach to ‘reading’ allowed Aaron to develop his own love of books, which he is now able to share with others. To some, wordless books are an oxymoron, yet when you read one Aaron’s books the full depth of the narrative is brought to life through his illustrations and the reader’s imagination, opening a wealth of interpretations that are unique to each individual. They are both empowering and accessible, and it is no wonder that they connected with both the Carnegies judging panel and the students who vote for their favourite shortlisted books for the Shadowers’ Choice award.
4 PEN&INC.
Aaron says: “It’s always confused me how books are treated like vegetables for a child; something that’s good for you and somehow if you’re not consuming them, you’re on a less healthy path. I always felt a bit embarrassed by not enjoying books, especially coming from a family of scientists and academics that worshipped the written page. Overtime, I’ve come to understand it’s more a function of how my brain is wired, and I think for a lot of kids, this is true. In the end, I’ve come to understand the importance of slowing down with a book, but also that it shouldn’t matter if the book is mostly pictures. We all come to a story in different ways.”
And the win in this year’s Carnegies Shadowers’ Choice Award for illustration demonstrates how well his books connect to readers. Aaron admits the recognition of both awards was welcome, particularly as a reassurance that his books are hitting the right mark.
He says: “The joy [in creating] for me is leaving enough space in the story structure to allow my readers to interpret things their own way, especially when it comes to a child, or even an adult, decoding or finding answers to the questions I am putting out there. With The Tree and the River, there is no driving narrative and there is not much to follow other than what people add to it. My instincts tend
Autumn-Winter 2024
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