Ashley Baxendale’s Fishing for Condiments is a heartwarming tale about life’s deeper meanings. At its core, the story follows Neget, a young character learning valuable life lessons under the guidance of Grandpa. But when Grandpa disappears on the ice, Neget is left to navigate what truly matters. With its blend of simplicity and emotional depth, the book has captured the imaginations of readers young and old.
We spoke with Ashley Baxendale to explore the inspiration behind Fishing for Condiments, the collaborative process with illustrator Anna Kukleva, and the story’s powerful message. From its poignant themes to the magic of bringing a unique tale to life, Ashley shares the journey behind creating this unforgettable picture book.
Fishing for Condiments is available now from Amazon, Waterstones, and Bookshop.org.
Fishing for Condiments delivers a meaningful message about understanding what’s truly important in life. What inspired you to write this story?
I was inspired to write Fishing For Condiments when reflecting for myself the dichotomy between the modern, consumerist world and that of societies less exposed to a life of materialism. I thought it would be interesting to write a story for children to reflect on this concept themselves.
The central message – “What use are all your favourite sauces if you don’t have any fish?” – is both simple and profound. How did you come up with this unique metaphor?
The metaphor was designed to be one that children could readily understand at face value, but also one which when given deeper consideration, might offer insights into other areas of the human condition and our true needs. The historically symbolic object of a fish was chosen as the vehicle for the metaphor and then the title was decided afterwards.
Are there any authors or books that inspired you during the creation of Fishing for Condiments?
It was when reading The Storm Whale and Grandpa’s Island to a Year 2 class that I felt Benji Davies’ style- in the cogency of the text, themes explored and artistic direction, that I felt inspired to try my hand at such a project.
Have you shared the book with your students or colleagues? What was their reaction?
Students and colleagues across a number of schools are aware of the impending release of Fishing For Condiments. However everything has been kept top secret as I want the story to be a surprise for the reader!
Neget’s journey with his Grandpa is at the heart of the story. How did you develop their relationship, and what do you hope readers take away from it?
I never met the Grandpa that I modelled the story’s character on. It follows that I had to imagine Neget’s relationship based on stories that I had been told of my relative. I hope that readers take away that we must make the most of the time we have with those people who are important to us.
Tell us about your collaboration with illustrator Anna Kukleva. How did her artwork elevate the story?
Having been aware of Anna’s style for some time now, the first step in the collaboration was to flesh out what each page would look like. Afterwards she was largely given free reign to interpret how best to elevate the story.
Anna’s retro-inspired illustrations beautifully complement the narrative and provide the story with a real sense of place. What are your favourite scenes or moments that she’s captured?
I particularly like the use of light, used as a pathetic fallacy to represent the protagonist’s emotions as the story develops. This is no accident, rather an instrument Anna uses to complement the narrative. My favourite scenes are the darker ones!
The icy landscape plays a big role in the book. What made you choose this setting for the story?
I was inspired to write a story in a setting and culture different to the ones in which I was raised when I visited the Arctic Circle to see the northern lights. I felt challenged to apply universal themes, in a setting unlike one I had seen before.
The book emphasises values and family. Are these themes particularly meaningful in your own life?
The theme of family is one that has always been particularly meaningful to me. As my family has grown around me the complexion of it may have matured, but the values I hold dearly have remained unchanged. I hope to encourage the reader to reflect on such values themselves.
What do you hope children take away from the story when they read it for the first time and how do you think adults will connect with the deeper themes of the book?
To me it seems that the reader is presented with three opportunities. A child reading the story for the first time may enjoy the story just for the pleasure of the narrative and illustrations. An older reader may be aware of the fish metaphor and identify that more is being asked of them to consider than at first glance. Lastly, an adult might be prompted to reflect on a deep level the values that they hold important to their own lives. I particularly like the idea of an adult initiating such a discussion with a younger reader.
Fishing for Condiments is coming out on January 23, 2025 — What excites you most about the release of the book?
I can’t wait to read Fishing For Condiments to my class and see what they make of it!
Fishing for Condiments is available now from Amazon, Waterstones, and Bookshop.org.
