Sam Usher: Inspiring young readers through adventures

We’re thrilled to launch the 11^th edition of The Story Corner Magazine and this time the theme is all about the wonders of space. In this edition, we have an exciting excerpt from illustrator and writer, Sam Usher, with his book: ZOOM!

This adventurous story sees Boy and Grandad blasting off into space on a homemade rocket to mend a broken module and rescue two stranded astronauts. Through beautifully crafted illustrations, the book explores creativity and celebrates recycling, while also subtly teaching readers about space, relationships and of course, adventure.

In an exclusive interview, we spoke to Sam about his much-loved book series’ and his most recent releases, Clang! - the second book in his current series, following Zoom! - and Adventures with Grandad, a bind-up of his Seasons quartet, published to celebrate 10 years of Sam Usher.

Sam Usher’s Inspirations

Sam’s love for illustrating was sparked by his parents and teacher, who encouraged him to be creative and draw from an early age. He also took inspiration from his favourite illustrator, Quentin Blake, and in particular the book: Captain Najork and his Hired Sportsmen, which was all about the mischievous adventures of Tom.

For Sam, this book captured the “spirit of childhood” – the innocence, creativity and mischievousness that characterise being young. Essentially, by using “funny, anarchic humour” the book reflects how children approach the world with freedom and imagination – two fundamental themes in Sam’s book series.

Sam’s creative journey has been profoundly shaped by his personal experience, particularly his “adventure” living with an elderly man in North London. Sam lived there for five years while he was starting his illustrating career.

This unique arrangement gave Sam a glimpse into the man’s life which was “absolutely full of stories and adventures” like travelling the world and being a teacher on Navy bases.

A man with curly hair displays a joyful smile as he sits in front of a computer, suggesting a moment of satisfaction.

During that time, the man served as a rich source of inspiration for the Grandad character in his book series. Sam said that “[his experiences] fleshed out the Grandad character’s sense of adventure… he’s travelled the world and there are clues to his past life, on bookshelves, on paintings and on the walls, so all of that is fed through the book which has made it richer”.

Celebration and adventure in children’s literature

In Sam’s work there’s been a consistent thread of celebration and adventure. As he puts it: “I always try and have something celebratory in them. Just a sense of adventure, sense of possibilities, a sense of wonder and joy at the world.” This reflects his desire to create inspirational and uplifting stories, while maintaining an element of adventure.

Sam said, “I just try and do something that’s honest and joyous and is inclined to see the beauty in the world – pleasure in small moments and seeing the world as a wonderful place, full of possibilities.”

With this, Sam focuses on the everyday wonders of life and invites readers to slow down and notice the beauty that surrounds them – a powerful perspective that encourages readers to reconnect with their innate sense of curiosity and playfulness.

Nostalgia and empathy in books

Initially seen as a barrier at the start of his career, Sam has now found that audiences resonate with his illustrations for their “comforting, nostalgic, English feel”.

This nostalgic quality invites readers to step into the lives of his characters, fostering empathy by encouraging them to explore a range of emotions and perspectives.

Through his heartfelt storytelling, Sam also encourages readers to reflect on their own relationships with parents, grandparents and siblings, facilitating a deeper connection to the narrative.

He said, “with books, you can experience somebody’s thoughts and their feelings… I love that about books, that you get to experience thoughts”. This helps readers to project their own feelings and memories onto the characters, which ultimately develops a richer understanding of connection, communication and empathy.

The value of literacy

Sam emphasises the importance of reading for pleasure and believes that books should be an opportunity to unlock a “joyous and fascinating” world. He believes that reading should be an enjoyable experience that sparks curiosity and a sense of adventure in young readers.

The future

Sam has made it his personal mission to reignite his Goddaughter’s love for reading. Recognising her disinterest in books, he’s devised a creative strategy for an upcoming book by playfully declaring she’s “banned” from reading it on the cover. Sam aims to spark her curiosity and encourage her to engage with literature in a way that challenges her.

He notes, “I think people underestimate the level to which we respond to challenges when we’re younger”.

This insight suggests that children thrive on and are motivated by challenges. He believes that by presenting reading as an exciting challenge, you can encourage children to focus on longer texts and cultivate an environment where children can appreciate the richness of longer stories.

Thank you, Sam, for speaking to us, we’re excited to see ZOOM! in the next edition of The Story Corner!

Check out The Story Corner Magazine on our website.