Books are made from a special kind of magic. For centuries, our imaginations have filled these peculiar little tomes of dead wood with information, both fact and fiction. As children, books are often our good friends, introducing us to colourful casts of characters who’ll keep us company for the rest of our lives. Classrooms are transformed into woodland spaces where animals can teach moral lessons of kindness, honesty and perseverance. Bedtime routines become dreamy playgrounds where heroes conquer evil.
Many of these stories are accompanied by another kind of creative magic. Soft, detailed illustrations dance across each page and etch themselves into young minds. We may not have realised it at the time, but these moments spent reading would one day become precious memories to be cherished forever.
In our ever evolving digital age, the beloved book is more important than ever and BearWolf Books is on a mission to ensure that readers of all ages can continue to enjoy this centuries old magic. Founded by Catherine. K Gyllerstrom, BearWolf Books is a publishing house specialising in illustrated fantasy, mythology and books for younger readers.
Herakles and His Twelve Adventures is one of BearWolf Book’s many book projects made in collaboration with artist and illustrator Erich J. Moffitt. In this retelling of the classic Greek myth, Herakles is an orphaned red squirrel on a journey back to Mount Olympus. Along the way, Herakles meets many enemies and allies as he confronts gods, battles epic monsters and learns important lessons in what it means to be responsible and the importance of friendship. This project originally began back in 2020 as a Kickstarter campaign that was successfully funded within a month of its launch date.
The Kickstarter offered two editions including a hardcover mass market edition and a limited edition version of 175 copies alongside a softcover colouring book. The book features accessible writing from Catherine and dynamic, full colour illustrations designed exclusively for this project, making it the perfect bookshelf addition for readers of all ages.
In this exclusive interview I chat with Catherine and Erich to learn more about Herakles and His Twelve Adventures including behind the scenes insights into its woodland setting, the research behind Erich’s illustrations and the duo’s own personal favourites in the project.
Interview with Catherine K. Gyllerstrom and Erich J. Moffitt
Your version of Herakles and His Twelve Adventures is absolutely magical as you’ve taken the classic myth and reinterpreted it in a woodland setting. Why did you decided to interpret this classic tale in this style?
Catherine: Greek myths have always held a special place in my heart, but I felt like Herakles has been overdone—from the Disney cartoon, to the 1990s TV show, to his appearance in Hollywood blockbusters—and these interpretations have muddied the timelessness of the story. I have also always loved anthropomorphic animal tales like Brian Jacques Redwall Series and Brambly Hedge. So, when embarking on a project with Erich, I thought combining a story we both felt strongly about with his beautifully distinctive way of painting creatures would make for a wonderful book.
Speaking of woodland settings, Herakles is portrayed as a squirrel in this version. What made you choose this creature to be the bold, brave hero?
Catherine: We wanted an animal, who in the natural world, would typically be underestimated yet had a distinctive visual profile that would make for exciting compositions. The red squirrel has a lovely russet colour, that naturally draws your eye to wherever he may be in an illustration. In addition, these animals have natural characteristics that allow for greater flexibility in weaving a story. They can be bipedal, and their paws can believably function like hands and operate with Herakles’s traditional weapons.
Can you talk me through the creative process for working on this project with Erich J. Moffit? Was there a lot of dialogue between the two of you whilst working on your respective parts?
Catherine:I have worked with Erich on various personal projects prior to this book, so I was confident in his vision. I sent him a brief with each illustration and a short description. When writing the story, I changed some of the tasks to better suite a children’s book, such as the mares of Diomedes, and cleaning the Augean Stables.
So, when dealing with these aspects Erich and I had a meeting to discuss what task would have the same feeling as the original, yet work with in the context of a woodland myth. We ended up replacing the stables with snail caverns, which worked out wonderfully. Erich then sent me sketches for each illustration, and I then came back with any edits and he began painting.
Erich, can you tell me a bit about how you approached this project from an artistic perspective? What kind of research went into this project given the fact that you reinterpreted classic myths into a woodland setting?
Erich: I researched both how the characters of the various gods, monsters, and heroes were depicted in the myth, and found woodland creatures that were emotionally analogous to them. Zeus took the form of an eagle in many stories, and creatures like the Hydra and Nimean Lion changed very little from the original myth. Eurystheus became a toad, because I imagined him as grotesque and greedy, small but powerful.
I gave him a pot for a home, referencing how he was often depicted on ancient urns. When it came time for Herakles to flood the king’s stables, it seemed only right that a toad king would keep a garden of snails that needed watering. My approach pays homage to the original legend while keeping it accessible for readers of all ages.
Alongside the open and limited versions of the book, you also released art prints and a colouring book. Why a colouring book? Do you hope to encourage readers to become participants in the story instead of just observers?
Catherine: As part of Erich’s process he creates these beautiful line drawings, and I love when readers can become part of the story. A colouring book is a wonderful way for readers to express their own creativity and start making stories of their own.
Erich: The colouring book idea emerged during the sketching stage of the process, as a different way for readers to engage with the story. The retelling of the myth encourages readers to identify with an underestimated hero who overcomes impossible odds, proving his worth to himself and bonding with found family along the way. I think these are experiences many readers can relate to, and we wanted to give them the opportunity to re-imagine the story in their own personal colour palettes.
Do you have a favourite character from Herakles? If so, which one and what is it about them that resonates with you?
Catherine: Chiron is one of my favorite figures in Greek mythology and certainly the one I was most excited for Erich to paint! His story particularly resonates with me as the teacher of heroes, since I place extreme value on education and the importance of learning.
Erich: I think it would have to be Herakles himself. I love the audacity of a plucky hero whose courage increases with the fearsomeness of their life’s challenges.
Do you have a favourite illustration? If so, which one and why?
Catherine: Samantha, you know this is like asking who my favorite child is, but I do love the Lernean Hydra because of its undulating movement. Erich has this unique way of painting curves and fur that really make his creatures come alive. I also love, love Chiron not only because of the subject matter, but also the way Erich’s image conveys the majesty, wisdom, and agelessness of the character.
Erich: My favorite would have to be the battle with the Nimean Lion, for many reasons. The painting captures the overwhelming scale of little Herakles’ tasks, and the courage needed to attack them. I also simply love painting lions!
