Oro-Medonte illustrator Keith Milne has contributed his artwork to two new children’s books.
The Burk’s Falls native, who has lived in the Simcoe County region for 17 years, has worked with the Department of National Defence as a sign maker for the past 15 years.
“I make signs for the military on the base," he explained. “However, I’m an illustrator at heart and have been since the ’70s believe it or not.”
“I’ve done so many illustrations over the years, it’s really crazy to reflect on,” he said.
Milne’s illustrations have appeared in different magazines, newspapers, and publications across Canada. Recently he signed on to illustrate two children’s books.
The first of the two books Milne worked on is titled, Bakers Dozen, which is about children who have personal issues with things like social anxiety, anger issues, and mental health issues.
“The main character is actually the author's mother. She bakes up these beautiful cakes and each ingredient helps deal with the issues,” he explained.
Sticking with the cake theme, the second book is titled, Momma’s Cakes.
“It’s about this author's mom who makes all kinds of cakes. In one chapter I drew these Egyptians standing around a pyramid cake, and in another chapter, I had a dinosaur running after these kids and it was a cake, too,” Milne chuckled.
“I put a lot of my own silliness into it. I read the book, I come up with the ideas, and then I rough them out and see if the author gives me the 'yay' or 'nay,' but usually it’s 'yay.'"
Milne enjoys being an illustrator as it exercises his creative juices.
“it’s fun to do. I get a chuckle out of my cartoons because I often have to come up with some funny ideas,” he explained. “Most of it is lighthearted and fun, I like working on the more serious stuff as well. I just have a lot of fun with it.”
Milne, 63, plans on continuing his illustrations for as long as his eyesight will allow him to keep working, noting he has to wear glasses now when he draws.
“But the passion is still there. I still enjoy it quite a bit,” he said. “It’s playful. I can draw kids getting into mischief, it’s fun stuff.”
While Milne does not have any kids of his own, his nephews are often his sounding boards for anything children-related.
“I do have three nephews and I have put all three in different books. My youngest nephew is actually on the cover of Bakers Dozen,” he said.
Milne’s nephews get a kick out of seeing drawings of themselves in books, so much so that they each have their own copies at home.
You can find Bakers Dozen and Momma’s Cakes by clicking here.
