Michael Davidson畢業於伯明罕大學的藝術與設計學院，
並在學期間就獲得米其林童書獎以及英國藝術獎。
大學畢業後，Michael Davidson選擇繼續到布萊頓大學就讀連續插畫的碩士學位。
曾經在台灣台北居住四年，在教小朋友美術與英文中吸取經驗，
並與夥伴們成立紫狐葉設計工作室成就自己的興趣與專長。
回到英國後，致力於創作期間也同時到小學當助教，
他對於插畫的熱情以及對兒童的輔導成果，
都可以在他的第一本童書：Ready Teddy Go!裡面一窺究竟。
Michael Davidson在紫狐葉時期的創作比較偏向實驗性，並且重點在自娛娛人。
對於出版童書，他考慮的面向更為細膩，
無論是字詞的押韻，故事的發展，色彩的運用以及其中教育的意涵等等，
都是一套完整的情節發展。
細節的處理以及色彩的飽和度還是保持在Michael一貫的的風格裡，
這本書驚喜的部分則是激發兒童更多的想像力與生活啟示。
『這是一個經過許多絕妙地點的未來賽車故事。
故事裡充滿了各種人物，
而主角是叫做『穩健』的泰迪熊，
他是一個小心又誠實的車手，
而他的競爭者『小聰明』狐狸則機伶又驕傲，
他會使用各種把戲與裝備來投機取巧，以贏得比賽。』
『賽車開始於一個擠滿群眾的起始點，
然後會經過沙灘/海岸，之後車手會駛過一條隧道到達海底的迷宮水管道。』
『賽程持續進行，來到了『機器人城市』。』
『機器人賽車往高處一跳邁向終點，
狐狸生性驕傲，心想贏定了，
因此轉過頭想給其他車手一個勝利的微笑。』
關於本書：
- 你為這第一本書花了很長的時間準備。
可以簡單分享一下出版插畫書的經驗，以及你如何著手？
我很幸運的能跟Orchard Books接觸，主要是因為透過我以前在大學的教授幫我引介，再加上運用這個機會展示我對於故事的想法以及草圖。這樣的方法避免了對經紀人的需求，但是對於許多抱持希望的作家或插畫家來說，尋求經紀人是展現自己作品的最佳方法。與出版社有進一步的發展必須滿足其公司的創意人員以及業務人員（投資者）。很幸運的，這些階段都進行的很順利，最後我得到了出版合約。合約簽訂了之後，我就著手開始與編輯討論故事軸向，並且完成美術插畫。
- 在Ready, Teddy, Go!裡，你所要傳達給讀者的訊息是什麼？
‘Ready, Teddy, Go’展現了你的態度最好能像‘Steady-Teddy’一樣的謹慎與堅決，而不是像‘Clever-Fox’驕傲又喜歡耍小手段。
- 動物跟機器人在你的插畫裡是必要元素嗎？
這兩種人物屬於在完全不同的領域，你如何創造一個適合每種人物的世界呢？
在我書裡的世界是設定在未來。它是樂觀、多采多姿並且具有創造力的世界。在那裡，所有的人物、機器人、動物、人類都一起生活。
- 你如何不間斷地驅動創造力？
當你開始產生一些點子的時候，他們通常不完整。這時你必須一直不斷的加東西上去，然後再回頭檢視。我喜歡創造未來世界，因為你可以自己決定它的長相。跟兒童一起工作也對我幫助很大，因為從他們身上你可以看到，他們的點子是多不受拘束與創意無限，這會讓你的心更年輕了起來。
關於靈感：
- 生活方式與旅遊經驗是否影響你的故事以及畫作？
假如是，你如何受到影響？
是的，因為每當你到達一個新的地方，你遇見以前只能在電視上看到的人事物-植物、生物、山巒、天氣、建築圖案、美術等等。你會發現新的角度。
- 你曾經居住並旅遊許多亞洲國家，你從不同文化中學到了什麼？
這經驗是否激發出其他靈感？
是的，我學到每個人很不同但卻其實又一樣。我喜歡跟外國人聊天，他們通常會挑戰你原本看事情的方式。你不必同意你自身的所有文化，或其他任何文化，你可以找到自己的平衡點。經歷的文化越多，你會發現越多新的方式來處理事情。
- 你如何為你自己的作品類型下定義？
我喜歡把自己的插畫當做由許多小小的平面設計所組成的。我喜歡設計所有元素-車子或是建築物等等。我也喜歡把文字以及角度放入整體的考量之中，他們要能生動又明亮。我還相信把所有的小東西都畫好是很重要的一件事。
關於未來計畫：
- 這本書的目標市場是四到六歲的小男孩，
你未來也想替小女孩們創作不一樣的故事嗎？
我希望阿，讓我們看看到時的發展怎麼樣。我會一點一點把靈感先寫下來。
- 目前除了繼續創作你的第二本書之外，你有什麼其他的計畫嗎？
我希望能在大專院校講課或是指導，或是在學校參與新的專案，像是製作插畫書社團，或是美術設計課等等。
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你可以在以下連結找到更多關於Ready, Teddy, Go 的出版資訊
Hachette children’s books （出版社）
‘Ready, Teddy, Go!’ (ISBN: 978-1408320235)
http://www.hachettechildrens.co.uk/Books/detail.page?isbn=9781408320235
英國亞馬遜：
(文/紫狐葉、作品圖片Michael Davidson)
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Michael Davidson studied Illustration at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, where his artwork was commended both at the Macmillan Children's Book Prize and the British D&AD awards. He did a Masters in Sequential Illustration at Brighton University and has taught English as a foreign language in Eastern Asia as well as assisting at primary schools in London. Michael's passion for illustration and his work with children have combined in his first book.
About this book:
- You have prepared for the first book for quite a while. Can you share your experiences of punishing a new picture book and how did you start it?
I was lucky to make a contact at Orchard books through a former university tutor of mine, and was able to show rough artwork and a draft for the story. This avoided the need for an agent, but for many hopeful writers and illustrators contacting an agent is the best way to get your work seen. The process with publishers means you need to satisfy the companies’ creative people and business (acquisitions) people. Luckily, this went well and they offered me a contract. After this I continued to work on the story with the editors and create the final artwork.
- What is the message you want to tell readers in Ready, Teddy, Go?
‘Ready, Teddy, Go’ shows that it’s better to be careful and determined like ‘Steady-Teddy’ rather than full of pride and naughty tricks like ‘Clever-Fox’.
- Are animals and robots your essential elements in your work? These two types of characters are in the different categories, how do you create a special world for everyone?
The world in my book is set in the future; it’s an optimistic, colourful, creative future where all kinds of characters, robots, animals, people do things together.
- How do you keep your imagination running?
When you start off with ideas they’re usually not very complete. You have to keep adding things to your ideas and coming back to them. I like making stories in the future because you can decide the way it looks. Working with kids also helps because you see how free their ideas and creativity is and it helps you to be young at heart too.
About inspirations:
- Do you think travel and life style affect your story telling and illustrations? If so, how do they influential you?
Yes, because every time you go somewhere new, you meet people and things that you’ve only seen on TV before- plants, creatures, mountains, weather, buildings, graphics, art. You get new perspectives.
- You have been travelling and living in Eastern Asia countries, what did you learn from the different culture? Have you been inspired?
Yes, I learned that people are different and the same. I like talking to people from other countries, they usually challenge the way you see things. You don’t have to agree with everything from your own culture or other cultures, you can find your own balance. The more cultures you experience the more you can find new ways to do things.
- How do you define your own style and works?
I like my illustrations to be like pieces of graphic design. I like to design all the elements- cars, buildings, etc. and I like to consider layout with text and angles that are lively and bright. I also believe it’s important to had draw everything.
About future plan:
- This book targets 3-5 years boys, would you like to drawing/write a different story for little girls in the near future?
I would like to, let’s see what happens. I’ll be writing down ideas.
- Apart from keeping your creation and publish your second book, what is your other plan?
I would love to get involved in tutoring / lecturing at a university. I would also like to be involved in new projects at schools; maybe picture book making clubs or art & design classes.
Michael's Blog-ReadyTeddyBooks
