Emma Watson is recognized throughout the world as one of Harry Potter's closest friends, the plucky Hermione Granger in the film adaptations of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter book series. But now she's tackling a new role as a forlorn, but hopeful princess named Princess Pea in the animated version of Kate DiCamillo's 2004 Newberry Medal-winning children's novel, The Tale of Despereaux.

The actress recently sat down in Los Angeles, CA and chatted with Kaboose via telephone to answer a few questions about her experience working on her first animated movie, what she loves to cook, and some of her favorite Christmas music:

Q: What's the biggest difference between filming a live action feature like the Harry Potter films and an animated movie such as The Tale of Despereaux? 
A: As an actress, I would usually be using body language and facial expressions, but with an animated film I had to learn to express everything though my voice. My part in the film is also quite physical--I'm kidnapped and [running from] rats in my room--so it was quite hard getting the sound of being out of breath into my voice. But it was interesting, challenging, and liberating because it just became about my voice.

Q: Did you get an opportunity to record your lines with any of the other actors in the film?
A: Yes, I worked with Matthew Broderick for a day--he came over to London which was great. It was great it was lovely to have another actor to play off and work with, particularly for a lot of the intimate scenes between Desperaux and Princess Pea. It was fun. 

Q: Did you do anything special to prepare for scenes when you have to record them by yourself?
A: No, not particularly. I was given a little toy mouse Despereaux that I could talk to, but it got lost on my second or third week recording--he was replaced with a penguin called Freddie--but that was the only kind of help or preparation that was involved to be honest.

Find out what Emma's favorite soup is, and what music she loves to listen to during the holidays...

For more great celebrity interviews, movie reviews, and kids' books, visit our family entertainment section. Also read our interview with Tale of Despereaux author, Kate DiCamillo.

Published: December 2008
Laura Young is the Crafts/Holidays & Fun editor on Kaboose.com