The story behind our stories...

Simon

Simon is a writer. nHe writes all the words that go into the Squarehead books.  Simon is friends with Margit who does all the drawings.  Simon Has a dog called Luna.  She takes him out for long walks every day and is a bit like Chinwag.  If you want to be a writer one day, the best thing you can do is read a lot of books.  That way you’ll know lots of words and how to make them sound good together when you write them down.

Margit

Margit is an illustrator. That’s a fancy word for saying she draws stuff.  When you can draw as well as Margit you can call yourself an illa-whatsit if you want.  Margit creates the Squarehead stories along with her friend Simon.  Margit is Dutch.  She comes from Holland.  You might think you’d say she was “Holl” in that case, but for some reason nobody says that.  Margit rides a bicycle all over London very fast.  If you feel a sudden rush of wind going past you, it’s probably her.

Square lady bird

I may be a teeny, tiny square bug – but I was right there when Squarehead had his round thought!  I am a witness!  Hallelujah! I can testify that he had that thought and, brothers and sisters, I can affirm that it was like a blinding light!  At least I think that’s what happened.  Life gets so confusing sometimes – don’t you think?

Square girl

Hello, my name is Noa.  I’m a little square girl who lives in Squaretown.  We have a very special monster here who comes and gives you a hug if you fall over and hurt yourself.  I love his hugs so much I sometimes pretend I’ve fallen off my swing just so I can get a hug. (Psst! Don’t tell him!)

Square bird

Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet!

Translation:  “I’m a square bird and I like square worms.”

(You’ll notice you get an awful lot of tweets to the average English word!  It’s a bit like the animal version of German.)

The Mayor!

I am the Mayor of Squaretown.  Everybody has to do what I say – especially that little Squarehead and his great big clumsy friend Hairy Scary.  It’s best if you call me “Sir” and bow when you speak. I’m extremely important and very cross about almost everything.  I have to do a lot of shouting, because no-one seems to LISTEN!   I love my own reflection in the mirror because as well as being incredibly important, I’m also extremely handsome.

GRRRAAAARGH! I am Hairy Scary.

HA! LOOK AT ME!  HOW SCARY AM I?!!  What do you mean not scary at all!   I’am very big and hairy, and very, very soft to touch…but not all that scary. (Sigh)  I met Squarehead and Chinwag in the deep, dark wood and he brought me home to live with him.  These days I don’t do much scaring – I do an awful lot of hugging instead.

Chinwag

Woof, woof wuff, woof! Ruff, wuff, woof, woof, woof. Ruff, wuff, woof, woof, woof. Ruff, wuff, woof, woof, woof. Ruff, wuff, woof, woof, woof. Ruff, wuff, woof, woof, woof.

(In case you don’t speak dog, here’s a translation: Hello, my name is Chinwag. I’m Squarehead’s friend. We met when he went on a journey and ended up in the deep, dark wood. I came back to live with him and now we go everywhere together.)