Standing Out and Fitting In: A Q&A with Chris Gorman, Author-Illustrator of One of a Kind

It takes a bit of bravery to be true to yourself and embrace what makes you unique. It can also feel a bit lonesome when you don’t “fit in.” In One of a Kind, a vibrant new picture book created by Chris Gorman, young readers are introduced to a pint-sized punk rocker who happily moves to the beat of his own music. He discovers that while he loves being unique, dancing on his own can sometimes get lonely — and finding a community filled with other unique individuals who share your interests can make them all the more enjoyable.

We chatted with Chris Gorman about One of a Kind and how its message of standing out and fitting in relates to his own experience both as a drummer for the band Belly and as a parent nurturing his own children’s passions.

What was the inspiration behind One of a Kind?

The individuality of young kids and their willingness to express it is really compelling to me. The unselfconscious enthusiasm for even the most unlikely interests is truly inspiring. I see it in my kids and think about how much we set aside as we grow older and how we often choose to fit in rather than stand out. I wanted to create a story about a little boy who recognized his own uniqueness and was trying to come to a place where he was comfortable with himself.

How has the notion of being different played out in your life? How have you helped your kids embrace their own individuality?

My family moved a lot when I was young, by the time I reached high school I had gone to six different schools. I was able to make friends and to adapt to change but I still spent much of my childhood being the “new” kid. When I was in high school, I discovered punk rock which in many ways made me even more of an outsider. But it also led me to a lot of self-discovery and a real sense of belonging. Through it all, my parents always encouraged my interests — particularly the arts and music. I really just try to pass that parenting gift on to my kids. I learn to love their interests and do my best to nurture their passions.

There is a very delicate balance between embracing individuality and feeling a sense of belonging, which One of a Kind touches on. Why did you feel this was important to include?

As a parent, the task of explaining various social interactions and life situations to my kids is a constant reminder of how complicated life is. The struggle between individuality and the search for belonging are even more central to our lives now than ever, and the internet and social media have really added a twist to the nature of personal connections, individuality, and relationships in general. The questions of who do we want to be and how — or if we want to belong — aren’t just childhood issues. They are a lifelong process. In my life, I’ve been lucky enough to find friends who see my individuality as an asset, and that’s what I hope for my kids.

When I started working on this book I chose music to show a particular unique interest that the boy has that sets him apart. It was something I could directly relate to and one that I found offered an immediate visual aesthetic and point of reference that I could build on. It also offered the band analogy, which I felt was a “real life” way of demonstrating how a group of different kids with a common interest can find belonging.

Can you talk a bit about your illustration process and how you developed this approach to illustration?

I’ve been an avid printmaker since I was in college and I’ve collected poster art for much of my adult life. I routinely work on large-scale block prints and silk screen designs. For the various bands I’ve been in, I have always contributed show poster art and t-shirt designs, and for years I was a co-owner of a surf shop that required a constant churn of design work.

My favorite printmakers and poster artists work with distinctive line work, bold lights and darks, and striking graphic compositions. For the last 15 years I’ve worked as a commercial photographer, so I started to incorporate my photographs into my design process. Using my photos as source images, I developed a process and look for my illustrations. It’s a combination of photography, digital collage, Photoshop, and line drawing. For my first two books I’ve used my children as the models for the characters, photographing them from multiple angles in hundreds of poses. I shoot the photos to fit the basic page sketches and then revise over and over and the image and page develop. I sometimes feel like my end goal is trying to make every page look like a concert poster. chrisgorman-illustration

What is your favorite aspect of creating books for children?

As both the writer and illustrator, I’m involved and invested in every step of the creation, which is just an amazingly rewarding experience. I’ve been very fortunate to work with an agent, publishers, editors, and art directors who have shared a vast wealth of experience in helping me make my books the best they can be.

What picture book have you read recently and been completely wowed by?

I am constantly at the library looking at books — both alone and with my kids — but I often get a real jolt when I reconnect with a book from my childhood. My parents stored loads of books in their attic, saving them for future grandkids. Whenever they visit they bring a new box and there is always a book or two that blows me away, and reminds me of why I wanted to do this.

Recently, they brought Andrew Henry’s Meadow by Doris Burn, which was published in 1965. Everything about this book is amazing: the illustrations, the compositions, the three-color front and back covers, and the story about these special children. This book has a similar theme to One of a Kind, where the challenges of individuality, feelings of alienation, and a search for belonging are central to the story.