The tale

It’s the story of a fairy tale, a fairy tale written by a child, for a child. A simple story about the universal desire to disobey. A story that lay in the bottom of a drawer for twenty years. An innocent little poem that reappeared one night just before it was time for the bedtime story.

What a lovely thing to happen! Because stories are made to be told to children.

It’s a lovely idea, a good explanation for children. And if from time to time you ask yourself why you blithely follow the herd, well then then contribute to the publication of the book Gaspard, the little black sheep. There you will find the answer, and also discover some delightful illustrations.

What a lovely thing to happen! Because stories are made to be told to children.

It’s a lovely idea, a good explanation for children. And if from time to time you ask yourself why you blithely follow the herd, well then then contribute to the publication of the book Gaspard, the little black sheep. There you will find the answer, and also discover some delightful illustrations.

Art, a family affair

I never intended my writings to be for the public. Nevertheless, in 2014, pushed and supported by the town of Les Ulis and a friend, I decided to publish Urbem. Some years earlier, I’d already had the idea to publish a totally different fairy tale for young readers. At the time I was faced with an almost existential problem: I didn’t know which story to start with. What to publish first?

The task might seem easy, but in fact it isn’t. I searched in my papers. I stopped on a story. I pondered. I picked up a second one. I pondered. I opted for a third…

Then I turned to the reasons behind my choice. I had doubts. Nothing seemed to justify the choice of one tale over another. I wanted my first publication to have some meaning, to symbolise something.

All stories have an ending. The story of this choice too. It comes by way of a family anecdote. I was with my children and my nieces. I was trying to get them into bed. Everybody knows that children never want to go to bed. This particular evening, the four monsters made a big decision. They were never going to bed. War was declared with pillows and laughter. They fought, they heckled. I was out of control, desperate.

“And all of a sudden a memory appeared to me.” This scene had a very particular flavour, “that of the little piece of madeleine”. I was thrown back thirty years into the past. I saw myself again, I saw us again. Me, my sister... We categorically refused to sleep at night. Mum frowned, scolded. I finally gave in, but my little sister refused. Mum didn't care. The light was out, the door closed.

Olivia, as usual, didn't give up. She asked, questioned: “Why obey when you could just say no?” To answer her, I embarked on the theatrical invention of a fairy tale: “Once upon a time there was a sheep, you know…?”

I remember this story as if it were yesterday. I think it was the first story I ever made up. The next day I wrote it down on paper, on a tiny little piece of paper.

So when I found myself thrown into this memory, I understood that Gaspard, the little black sheep, would be the first tale to see the light of day.

That evening I was in a hurry to find the famous notebook where I wrote down all my stories as a child. I read the story to the children. They loved it.

Once they were asleep I threw myself into a revision and correction of my childhood work. I took great care to stay as close as possible to the original so that it would remain straight out of a child's imagination.

In order for the story to keep its innocence and lightness, I asked the children to draw the main characters for me. The concept was simple. Like the Little Prince of Saint Exupéry, I asked: “Draw me a sheep.” The children drew me a sheep. I continued: “It’s pretty. I want it to look like a cloud. I would like to see anger on his face. I would like it to change colour according to its moods...” And so it was done. Our sheep was born.

We repeated this with each character.

For a thousand and one reasons the tale could not be published at the time but when the council offered to support Urbem I decided to publish it at the same time.

The illustrators

Some words from Yohan Simderlé

I was born in 1997 in Longjumeau, near Paris.I spent my entire childhood immersed in art and especially drawing. When I was nine years old, my mother Diana Torres, asked me if I was interested in helping to illustrate her books. As a result, I illustrated the thirty-six episodes of Urbem and various tales and novels written by my mother.Passionate about art, I studied for a high school diploma in literature with a focus on the visual arts.I then started a preparatory class in design and illustration at the Gobelins.Today I am a student at Cesan, the leading school of comics and illustration, where I am training to become an illustrator.I did "Gaspard the little black sheep" when I was nine. This was my first participation in the design and manufacture of a book. Many others followed later.I really enjoyed this work and I am really happy to see this project come to fruition today as I prepare to become a professional illustrator. I sincerely hope you will like it.

Some words from Naomi Smiderlé

I was born in 2001. Having grown up in an artistic family, I watched my mother and brother draw a lot, especially my brother. Naturally, like him I took drawing lessons as a child and like him I really enjoyed helping my mother to illustrate and colour her works. She had found a way to spend hours at work while spending time with us. It brought us closer together.

Today, I am in the final year of high school taking the audiovisual option and I write scripts for fun.

I plan to go to law school and at the same time I run a lot: I do athletics at the national level.

Nonetheless, from time to time I continue to participate in the family's artistic projects, which soothes me greatly after the stress of sports competitions.

Gaspard is a character who moves me deeply because as a child, I think I was a lot like him. I think children will recognise themselves in him. Therefore I am very attached to the idea of having the book published.

Other members of the team

This project was made possible thanks to a team of highly dedicated people.

Around the children's project there are several professionals.

Laetitia Pulicani

Very attracted to the world of children’s literature, and after studying literature, I passed the exams considering becoming a teacher. I discovered the world of graphic design and publishing by chance, and finally chose to become a model maker for the publishing houses that publish school books. It's an environment in which I thrive. When Diana Torres told me about her project, I immediately became interested because it brings together my different passions and skills. I therefore accompanied her in the proofreading, layout of texts and drawings, and participated in the various educational projects.

The Spanish translation was done by María Yolanda Rodríguez Caridad.

A few words from the latter

My mother tongue is Spanish.

I am a member of the SFT and certified in the National Directory of Professional Certifications.

My experience has led me to various fields such as industry and technology, construction and public works, pure and applied sciences, medicine and pharmacy, tourism and leisure tourism. However my favourite fields are art and literature.

The English translations were done by Anne Losq

A few words from the her

My mother tongue is English.

I am a member of the SFT.

I do translations in the following fields: arts and literature, film, human and social sciences, pedagogy and education, sociology.

With quality translations, individuals and institutions can make themselves better understood internationally and defend their ideas.

For each project, I strive to provide clear and easy-to-read texts so that thoughts formulated in French can be understood and appreciated in English.

The aesthetics of the project

The story having been written by a child and illustrated by children, we wanted the drawings to retain the lightness, innocence and naivety of this happy age while being professional and aesthetic. The images are bright and joyful in colour. Gaspard, our little black sheep is very expressive.

The launch

Pre-orders for the French version placed before Christmas 2018 should be delivered for Christmas (Provided that orders are made before 15/12/2018). Pre-orders for the Spanish and English versions will be delivered in February. The books can be signed at your request.The official release of the book is in January 2019. We will be in several bookstores for signing sessions. You will be able to see the calendar of events when the diatorres.fr website goes online.

Gaspard le petit mouton noir