Britta Teckentrup, the celebrated children’s illustrator and author now published in more than 20 countries, on her school days in Germany and discovering her passion for art
Where did you go to school and when?
I grew up in Wuppertal, a small city in western Germany not far from Düsseldorf. I attended Marper Schulweg for primary years from 1975, before moving on to St. Anna Gymnasium for my senior years.
What was your senior school like?
St. Anna was a Catholic school and academically quite ambitious – it wasn’t quite as strict as that sounds.
Did you love school, or hate it?
I would say that I loved and hated it at the same time…
What were your favourite subjects at school?
Art came first – I also loved German, English, Philosophy, PE and Biology.
Who were your favourite teachers and how did they influence you?
I had the most wonderful primary school teacher called Frau Timm. I absolutely loved her! In fact, I loved most of my art teachers because they encouraged me to keep on doing art.
Where was your favourite place at school and what did you do there?
There was this little bakery just outside of the school building – we would go there in breaks to buy sweets. And there was the special spot in the school where my group of friends would meet up during breaks.
What beliefs did your time at school give you?
I learnt that being different is OK and that empathy and openness are important. I also realised that getting top marks is not the most important thing in the universe and nor should life by restricted by strict religious beliefs. Group dynamics and human relationships are complex, so it can take some time to find your people. Oh, and it takes time to find out what you want and to believe in yourself.
What was your proudest school moment?
My friends and I wanted to take Art for Abitur (the A-level equivalent) but our school did not offer the course at this level. We talked to the school director and she promised to look into it if we could get enough people together who wanted to study it. We did and I was very proud that we initiated the very first Art advanced-level course at our school.
What was the most trouble you ever got into at school?
I didn’t really get into trouble very often if I remember correctly! But I do remember cutting my friend’s hair during one break. It was in the mid ’80s and I think that she wanted some kind of Post Punk/New Wave hairstyle. She liked it, but the teachers weren’t so impressed…
Were you ever ‘too cool for school’?
I probably wanted to be but never was, if I am honest.
What is your most vivid memory, looking back?
Being curious, adventurous and spending time with my friends.
When and how did your love of art and illustration begin?
My love of art was already nourished by my primary school teacher – Herr Wilhelm. I always loved drawing and painting and he must have seen something early on and supported me. My teachers at St. Anna did the same and I am very grateful to all of them. My family also had an interest in art, even though they weren’t artistic themselves. In fact, my father and my brother both studied mathematics.
What other key influences/passions shaped you growing up?
My grandmother was a big influence – I was very close to her. I also loved music and dancing and playing outside. I did this a lot as my parents lived opposite a little forest.
What projects and challenges are coming up next for you?
I am working on a few new books, but I can’t say too much about them yet. The next Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Adventure is now underway, and I’ve just finished writing and illustrating a book about loneliness. That will be my next book published by Prestel.
How would you sum up your school days in three words?
Social. Creative. Emotional.
* Again! A Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Adventure is out now (Prestel, £11.99). To see more of Britta Teckentrup’s work, visit brittateckentrup.com
Further reading: Julian Gough on school days that encouraged his love for reading and writing as an escape
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