About the Author

"I try to give the kids in my illustrations spunk and make them a bit defiant; theyíre always sticking out their chests and standing up for themselves. Did you notice how in Thomas' Snowsuit Thomas causes the school principalís hair to turn whiter in frustration as the story progresses?" asks Michael Martchenko in a Quill & Quire interview.

Michael is recognized as one of the fastest illustrators in the country. According to an interviewer in Applied Arts Quarterly, "Such rapidity seems to suit the artistís joyful sense of spontaneity." Michael immediately breaks down a manuscript into a storyboard. He explains: "As I read, I get all these great pictures in my mind. I think about funny situations, and then start sketching." After he has completed a rough, it takes approximately another four hours to create a finished drawing. For most of his books, Michael likes to use watercolor and pencil, as well as a generous dose of his own visual humor.

About the Book
Celebrate 25 years of The Paper Bag Princess with an exclusive look behind the scenes.

In the fall of 1980, Annick Press first published Robert Munsch's tale of a dragon, a princess named Elizabeth, and the bum of a prince she rescues. Playfully illustrated by Michael Martchenko, and full of Munsch's now-famous wit, the book was an instant success and has since sold millions of copies in dozens of languages all over the world. To celebrate the 25th birthday of this modern classic, Annick presents the familiar story of The Paper Bag Princess in all its exuberance, along with more than 30 pages of never-before published behind-the-scenes features -- all in a new bigger format.

Readers will discover how Munsch -- once on a path to becoming a priest -- became one of the most famous children's authors of all time. They'll learn how an extra space on a gallery wall landed Martchenko his first, and most legendary, children's book gig ever. And they'll meet the real Elizabeth and see what she's up to today. Also included are never-before published sketches and paintings that take readers through the process of the book's creation.