In the mid-1970s, illustrator Bobette Stanbridge was hired to design a cast of animal characters for a line of children’s clothes, quilts, pillows, and other items. Decades later, Stanbridge’s daughter brought the characters up out of the blue, after finding one of the illustrations in a family member’s home. The conversation rekindled her own affinity for the characters, Stanbridge explained, and opened her up to new possibilities for them.
“She told me I should do something with them. I decided to write stories and use the characters as my framework,” the local author told the Sun. “Bunky Books were born, and I wrote several stories and proceeded to illustrate them.
“I decided to name them Bunkies, since most of the characters were animals that could communicate with each other,” added Stanbridge, whose books are inhabited by cats, bears, butterflies, dogs, elephants, grasshoppers, and turtles alike. “They are all adventure stories and very colorfully illustrated.”
The author has released four entries in the series so far, which started with A Joyful Day in 2006, and continued with The Magic Kite, The Amazing Piano, and No Wishy Washy Wishes. Stanbridge hopes for the series to provide young readers with positive insights on life, through traditional lessons most parents would expect as well as more unique topics not usually addressed in most children’s books, she explained.
“Bunky Books were written to help kids live their best lives by teaching a mindset and some important things in life that we don’t usually talk about, such as the power of our thoughts,” said Stanbridge, who also incorporates mindfulness tips she’s acquired as an avid meditator.
“I’ve been meditating since 1967,” the author said, “and have gleaned much wisdom from meditating over the years and thought it important to share.”
Aside from sharing life advice through her stories, Stanbridge occasionally offers writing, illustrating, and publishing tips through her periodic workshops for aspiring authors.
“The children’s book industry is difficult to break into,” Stanbridge said. “Each agent and publisher is looking for their specific things, so one thing I teach is how to approach them.”
Each workshop series takes place over five weeks, and is held at Treasures 1 in Santa Maria. After participants write their own stories, Stanbridge provides critiques and tips on how to best illustrate and market their works. Several factors are taken into account, the author said, such as realizing which age group the book is most appropriate for.
“The type of illustration that would be best suited, as well as the layout, is discussed,” Stanbridge said. “I also discuss getting it printed and published, as a self-publisher, and some marketing ideas as well.”
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood used to dream about becoming the next Dr. Seuss. Rekindle those aspirations, or shut them down, at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 29 – Sep 5, 2019.
