Start Small, Think Big – Small, Speckled Egg: Q&A with illustrator Anna Terreros-Martin

You were lucky enough to visit the Farne Islands to see Arctic terns, please tell us a bit about that:

Arctic terns are such amazing birds, and I had the opportunity to see them up close on the Farne Islands during nesting season. They nest super close to the designated paths (sometimes even on them), so you have to be careful and mindful where you are stepping. Having their nests so close to the paths means their nests and chicks are more protected from large gulls due to visitors walking past during the day.

However, this does mean that visitors get dive bombed by the terns too and so people are encouraged to wear a hat or a hood to protect their heads from the Arctic terns' sharp beaks! Their beaks are so sharp that they can deter predators as big and mighty as polar bears!!!

When on the island I took the opportunity to draw the seabirds that were nesting there including the Arctic terns. Drawing them helped me focus on their shape, movements and behaviour.

What happened when Penny approached you with the idea of illustrating Small, Speckled Egg?

When I originally visited the Farne Islands, I had no idea that I would be asked to illustrate a book about Arctic terns or how important this experience would be to me. I began working on the book during the pandemic and also when avian flu meant visits to the island were not possible, so I looked back at my sketchbook and watched videos that we took when on the island. I also watched YouTube videos of Arctic terns to learn more about them and remind myself how they move and behave and see the different environments they spend time in.

Here are some of Anna’s rough sketches and how the final artwork looks in the book:

It was wonderful to see the finished printed book with the beautiful die-cut egg on the cover and the really cool fold-out map at the end of the book. It has been a pleasure to illustrate Mary Auld’s words and I have learnt so many amazing facts about Arctic terns during the process which has only made me love these incredible birds even more!

Small, Speckled Egg is the first book in our new series Start Small, Think Big. Unfold a world of discovery with these information-packed picture books all about life cycles. Beginning with the small and familiar and expanding to new areas of knowledge where you really have to think big!

Images (c) Anna Terreros-Martin