Archive for Interviews & Appreciations

Celebrating 40 Years As a Published Author, Pt. 3: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

May 21, 2026 / / No comments

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My education in children’s books began, oddly enough, in my adulthood. The youngest of seven children, I have little memory of reading books as a child — some P.D. Eastman, for sure — and no memory of either of my parents reading to me. That’s not a complaint; they had their hands full. In 1985, I was hired as a junior copywriter for Scholastic at a cool $11,500 a year. I was one year out of college, a mere welp. My primary assignment was to write the SeeSaw K-1 Book Club. You remember those, right? The following year, I was asked to help launch Firefly Book Club. And, later, as a freelancer in Albany, NY, I started the Carnival Book Club out of my home at the behest of Barbara Marcus. You could say I got my Master’s Degree in Children’s Literature at 730 Broadway in New York, working for Scholastic.

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That’s when, in other words, my head exploded just a little bit. 

I was given a cubicle, a typewriter, a lifetime’s supply of Wite-Out Correction Sheets, and a bottle of Liquid Paper. Less than a year later, that typewriter was swapped out for a Gateway computer that arrived in a distinctive, black-and-white, cow-patterned box. I dumped my Wite-Out for a lifetime’s supply of floppy disks and added “booting up” to my vocabulary.

My education really stepped up when I was asked to co-author a book with Deborah Kovacs, titled Meet the Authors and Illustrators: 60 Creators of Favorite Children’s Books Talk About Their Work. Deborah and split the assignment: I took the picture book authors and illustrators, she handled the middle-grade writers. We talked and supported each other and mostly stayed in our lanes.

Two years later, we wrote a sequel, Volume Two. And sometime after that, Scholastic collected my sections of the first two books, we added another 15 new profiles, and put out The Big Book of Picture-Book Authors & Illustrators. It contained 75 profiles in all.

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Not only did I research each creator, but I got the opportunity to interview most of them. At one time, I had a shoebox of cassettes containing hour-long conversations with James Marshall, Barbara Park, Faith Ringgold, Mem Fox, Vera B. Williams, Pat Hutchins, Bill Martin Jr., Barbara Cooney, Peter Spier, Bernard Waber, Jack Prelutsky, Tomie dePaola, Kevin Henkes, Karla Kuskin, Joanna Cole, Donald Crews, Tedd Arnold, Patricia Polacco, Charlotte Zolotow, Shonto Begay, Bruce Degen, Gail Gibbons, and more — real treasures — which I ended up throwing away. Because sometimes I’m just a big dope.

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But what an education! Not only the wisdom they imparted about their artistic process, but their demeanor and professionalism, the kindness they showed me. The goodness of their intentions. The quality of their work. It’s a little sad to realize how many of those folks we’ve lost over the years, gone but not forgotten.

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“You want to write from the heart, that’s the important thing.” — Bernard Waber.

“The most enjoyable part of creating a book is doing the initial sketches, putting the book together, the thinking part.” — Peter Sis.

“My work has allowed me to dream.” — Jerry Pinkney.

“Don’t worry about what other people are doing. Don’t try to emulate. Work from what is inside you, crying out — however softly, however timidly — for expression.” — Emily Arnold McCully.

“If I don’t have a good character, then I don’t have a book.” — James Marshall.

“Writing is very difficult and gives me a great deal of pleasure, partly because it is so difficult.” — Maurice Sendak.

“I get a lot of personal gratification thinking of those people who don’t get any attention in the world and making them really valuable in my fiction — making them absolutely shine with their beauty.” — Cynthia Rylant.

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These books came out at a time when Whole Language instruction was on the rise, when many teachers employed “real books” as a crucial part of the daily curriculum. They hungered for books and eagerly scooped up information about their favorite artists. At that time, many teachers considered it part of their job to be well-versed in children’s literature. These days, for a variety of reasons, I feel that’s no longer the case. Or certainly much less so. Now we have the demands of standardized testing, drastic cuts to librarian positions, and teachers who feel aggrieved, abused, overworked and under-appreciated. They just don’t have the time or the incentive to keep up with the tsunami of books published these days. 

When I started this blog in 2008, I continued to put a spotlight on creators I admired. I still try to do that today, though I don’t think many people read my blog here in the year of two thousand and twenty-six. Whatever. It’s not much different than writing a book. You make the thing and hope folks find it, or not. 

By using the search bar here, you should be able to locate long interviews with the following:

Aaron Becker * James Bird * Elizabeth Bird * Judy Bradbury * Lewis Buzbee * Nancy Castaldo * Carmen Deedy * Lesa Cline-Ransome * Matthew Cordell * Bruce Coville * Cynthia DeFelice * Liza Donnelly * Matt Faulkner * Ralph Fletcher * Alex Giardino * Mary GrandPre * Charise Harper * Susan Hood * Travis Jonker * Alan Katz * Deborah Kovacs * London Ladd * Jeff Mack * Vikram Madan * Daniel Mahoney * Matthew McElligott * Wendell Minor * Florence Minor * Susan Verde * Hazel Mitchell * Jeff Newman * Jessica Olien * Matt Phelan * Deb Pilluti * Lizzy Rockwell * Kurtis Scaletta * Chris Sheban * Jordan Sonnenblick * Hudson Talbott * Liza Gardner Walsh * Audrey Glassman Vernick.

In addition, I’ve featured contributions from the following writers and illustrators:

Tony Abbott * Paul Acampora * Heather Alexander * R.W. Alley * Jennifer Arena * Nora Raleigh Baskin * S.A. Bodeen * Nick Bruel * Laurie Calkhoven * Jay Cooper * Barbara Dee * Erin Dionne * Julie Fortenberry * Donna Gephart * Nikki Grimes * Keely Hutton * Laurie Keller * David Kelly * Jo Knowles * Mikki Knudson * Kevin Lewis * Lois Lowry * Elaine Magliano * Greg Neri * Jerdine Nolen * Barbara O’Connor * Aimee-Joan Paquette * Parker Peevyhouse * Yvonne Printz * Aimee Reid * Jen Sattler * Liz Garton Scanlon * Steve Sheinkin * Alan Silberberg * Charles Smith * Tonya Lee Stone * Todd Strasser * Don Tate * Matt Tavares * Chris Tebbetts * Rachel Vail * Eric Velasquez * Charles Waters * Eugene Yelchin * Suzanne Bloom * Joe Bruchac * Mem Fox * Patricia Reilly Giff * Cheryl Harness * Karen Hesse * Simon James * Eric Luper * Ellen Miles * Linda Sue Park * Karen Roosa * Jerry & Eileen Spinelli * Kyra Teis * Raul the Third * Nina Crews * Hannah Barnaby * Robin Pulver * Elizabeth Zunon.

I’m sure I’ve missed a couple dozen names along the way. Gratefully, I’ve learned something from each and every one of them. That’s the essential thing: the education never ends. There’s so much great work out there. So many good books. It’s an honor to be in this fine company, to stand on their shoulders, and perhaps to see just a little farther than I would have without them.

And if I haven’t said it yet, thank you, thank you all. 

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Category: Interviews & Appreciations, the writing process / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

GOOD NEWS: Here Comes a Book That’s Not Crud

May 17, 2026 / / No comments

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For the past week, the children’s book world has been in an uproar (it started off as a kerfuffle, and quickly escalated) in response to critical comments made by author Mac Barnett about the current state of children’s literature. If you don’t know, you can find out easily enough.

Besides being a gifted writer, Barnett is currently the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, appointed by the Library of Congress. For that reason, his dismissive comments stung all the more.

The response to Barnett’s (ill-advised, mean-spirited, condescending) comment has been extensive and passionately articulate, with many creators weighing in at length. There’s even been a widely circulated opinion piece from The Wall Street Journal to further fan the flames.

To me, a week later, it all feels overcooked. But I’ve been in this business for more than 40 years, I know it’s a bunny-eat-bunny world, and I can’t get too worked up about one guy’s opinion. And I am not at all interested in joining the dogpile. There’s far too much of that these days.

So here I sit, after finally figuring out how I want to respond to the notion that 94.7% of children’s books are crud.

I want to talk about books I love, people I admire.

Today I want you to know about a book that I’m really, really excited to see in the world. It’s a true original, with more than a touch of Daniel Pinkwater’s influence. I am talking about Matt McElligott’s exciting new foray into illustrated, middle-grade fiction. The book combines Matt’s offbeat sense of humor with the deep intelligence that has characterized his work through the decades. The debut book in the series is a wild, funny, inventive story; I’m thrilled that soon young readers will get the chance to check it out for themselves.  

Quietly, Matt McElligott is one of our best.

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The new series launches in October, 2026, and, yes, it absolutely comes out of left field — as if it were beamed down from another planet. Where did this come from? Matt’s not jumping on a trend or following the whims of the marketplace. In the age of Artificial Intelligence, here’s an artist creating from the wacky heart, the curious mind, the untethered soul.

Let’s see a robot try that.

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Here’s the description from Matt’s publisher, Bloombury.

 

Project WOOFF was top-secret . . . until now.

Alex Grebert has lived his whole life in the off-grid community of Underland with his nature-loving Aunt Zinnia ever since his parents died unexpectedly. Alex loves his aunt, but it’s not easy being a coder in a place where electricity and internet are practically nonexistent.

When Alex’s best friend Lily Day takes in a stray cat named Fuzzypants, Alex is pulled into an adventure straight out of one of his self-made video games. The cat, whose real name is Professor Fuzzypants, PhD., is a product of Project WOOFF (Weaponized Optimization of Flora/Fauna), a top-secret government project that developed intelligent, speaking animals.

Project WOOFF was supposed to have been shut down a long time ago, but someone is continuing the experiments. Alex and Lily are determined to find out why it all went wrong, especially when Alex discovers that there may be more to his parents’ story than he had ever been told.

Featuring black-and-white chapter opening artwork and full-page black-and-white illustrations throughout, this short series starter will appeal to the young middle-grade reluctant reader.

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NOTE: I hope other creators will take this opportunity to praise books, to talk up the good stuff — maybe the less hyped among us — and put a spotlight on all the wonderful work being done in children’s publishing today. 

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Category: Around the Web, Current Events, Interviews & Appreciations / Tags: , , , ,

That Iconic Scene from “ALMOST FAMOUS” Should Have Been Cringe-Worthy — But Succeeds Spectacularly

February 19, 2026 / / No comments

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I recently read Cameron Crowe’s very entertaining memoir, The Uncool, and it inspired me to rewatch his film, “Almost Famous,” which covers much of the same ground. 

I liked it the second time around just fine. 

There’s a great scene where the band, weary and fractured, rides the bus to yet another town, another gig. The future feels uncertain, relationships feel shattered, youthful ideals crushed. Then Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” plays and, one by one, the characters come to life, joining in on a group sing-along. 

It’s an iconic moment, an absolute highlight of the film.

And it’s the corniest thing on earth. I mean, on the page, this should not work. It’s so sentimental and sappy and full of what could easily be regarded as false emotion.

Here, take a look:

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And to be clear: I absolutely love it, and have remembered it fondly since the film first came out in 2000. 

In fact, I just teared up watching the clip (but, caveat, I tear up over everything). 

In less capable hands, this scene could have been a disaster. Klunky and forced, too pat and tidy. Cringe-inducing.

But again, wow. It’s a home run. It’s everything. 

And it took courage, I think, especially in today’s cold, cynical, skeptical world. That’s kind of Crowe’s strength, actually. He swung for the fences, risked being sincere and earnest and so very uncool — and knocked it out of the park. 

There’s in lesson in this, I think. 

Much credit, too, goes to the song, a masterpiece in its own right. It is exactly the right song. The right idea. Because it is the love of music that unites these disparate characters. Hat tip, Elton John. Hat tip, Cameron Crowe, for pulling this small miracle of a moment in film. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Category: Interviews & Appreciations, Movies, Music / Tags: , , , , , , ,

Robert Duvall Passes, Boo Radley Recalled, An Idea Stolen: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS AS A PUBLISHED AUTHOR, PT. 2

February 17, 2026 / / 2 comments

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The great actor Robert Duvall passed on February 15th at the most excellent age of 95. He left behind a remarkable legacy, including key roles in films such as The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, Tender Mercies (Oscar for Best Actor), The Conversation, and many more. He is also well remembered for his role in the CBS miniseries, Lonesome Dove. 

But my mind went right back to Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird. 

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That’s a book and a movie that has had an outsized impact on my imagination and appreciation of excellence in storytelling. I just love it and often return to passages and scenes.

Thinking of Boo yesterday, I remembered that I stole a little device from that story and used it in Jigsaw Jones: The Case of the Haunted Scarecrow. As you may recall, Boo first communicated with Jem and Scout by leaving small totems, or gifts, in the knothole of an oak tree. The gifts themselves are worth recalling: chewing gum, two pennies, twine, soap dolls, a spelling bee medal, a pocket watch. Boo is isolated and alone, longing for connection. 

Boo’s father, Nathan, to our horror, ends up filling the hole with cement — once again isolating Boo from any hope of friendship. Poor Boo, the book’s mockingbird, gentle and misunderstood. 

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But it’s just the knothole that I borrowed, a simple idea that I took for my own purposes for the 15th Jigsaw Jones book, The Case of the Haunted Scarecrow. I’ll share that scene now because, I don’t know, I like it? I’m proud of those Jigsaw Jones books. So many are now out of print and no longer read, except for those in libraries and dusty bins in second-grade classrooms. Thank you so much, teachers, for that.

Here, Dear Reader, is Chapter Five: The Scarecrow.

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“They want you to deliver the money,” Kim said.

And that was that. In one swoop, I went from detective to delivery boy. I was supposed to go to a tree, put three dollars in a hole, and leave. The voice said he’d return the necklace after I made the drop off.

“I don’t get it,” Mila complained. “Why Jigsaw? How did they know he was here?”

“They must be watching the house,” I concluded. “It doubt it’s a one-man job. You heard giggles on the phone, remember.”

Mila remembered.

Kim shivered — and not because the house was drafty. She ran her fingers across the front of her neck. It was a habit. She was feeling for a necklace that wasn’t there.

“Let’s do it,” I declared.

Kim went to her room. She returned with four dollars. One for me. Three for the ransom. “You better hurry,” she said. “They want you there right away.”

I didn’t like it. But I didn’t have to like it. It was a job. Like raking leaves or delivering newspapers. So off I went, into the dusky night. Mila stayed behind to keep Kim company. 

I walked down Abbey Road. The evening chill nibbled on my ears like a pet parakeet. I turned right onto Penny Lane. The night was brisk and gloomy. I noticed that someone had ripped down one of my brothers’ leaf-raking signs. 

I came to the leaning oak tree. Its long branches reached out over the sidewalk. I shoved my hands into my pockets. There was no one in sight. But I had a perfect view of the Rigby place across the street. 

A black cat slinked across the lawn.

There was one lonely light on in the old house. I may have glimpsed a shadow drift behind a curtain, then disappear. In that gloom, even the trees seemed more menacing. Their leafless branches looked like twisted arms, the twigs like crippled fingers. I flicked up the collar of my jacket. 

A-ooooo. A-ooooo.

A dog howled. I looked into the night sky. There was no moon. Just the pale yellow of distant stars. Well, it was time to finish the job. I soon found a small hollow in the tree. The kind of hole where a chipmunk or snake might hide. On a hunch, I reached in my hand.

And there it was.

The necklace. 

I pulled the three dollars from my pocket. I hesitated, the money still in my hand. It made no sense. Why should I pay the robbers when I already had the necklace?

And why was the necklace here?

I didn’t have time to answer my own questions.

Maybe I heard a noise. Maybe it was a faint whisper, or the scraping of a shoe on cement. Maybe a flashlight flickered, then died. For whatever reason, I looked toward the Rigby place.

[Editorial note: We learn that the old woman who lives there is named Eleanor, and she’s lonely, too.]

What I saw made my heart stop.

The scarecrow on Mrs. Rigby’s lawn was standing. Staring straight at me. It was . . . alive. 

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I pressed myself against the tree. If I breathed, it was by accident. The scarecrow moved stiffly, as if waking from a long sleep. First one step, then another. Like a mummy. Or a living zombie. 

Coming toward me.

I squeezed my eyes tight, trying to shut away the fear. But when I opened them, the creature was coming closer. Ever closer.

I clutched Kim’s necklace in my hand.

And ran.

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The illustration is by Jamie Smith, the warm, sensitive artist from England who did the interiors to many titles in the series. 

THIS POST IS PT. 2 OF A YEAR-LONG SERIES, CELEBRATING MY 40 YEARS AS A PUBLISHED AUTHOR. AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR STOPPING BY. OTHERWISE IT WOULD BE A LONELY CELEBRATION. HELLO? ANYONE? BUELLER?

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Category: Interviews & Appreciations, Jigsaw Jones, the writing process / Tags: , , , , , , ,

MAD Magazine Remembered, Via Neko Case

February 28, 2025 / / 2 comments
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Raise your hand if you had a subscription to Mad magazine. Come on, nice and high so I can see ’em!
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It’s incalculable to measure the influence of those writers and artists on a young, spongey mind. I subscribed for years and years.
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Neko Case writes about this specific issue in her blisteringly brilliant memoir, The Harder I Fight the More I Love You, which is every bit as excellent as Rickie Lee Jones’s “rock” memoir.
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It occurs to me that, at age 11, I might have read this same issue. Perhaps not. But I like that connection between Neko Case and me, the way any great book connects every reader who encounters it. We were all there together, in a sense, across space & time.
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Here’s Neko, upon discovering an old issue:
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I settled in to pore over my first-ever Mad magazine. It was the October 1972 issue. It was for kids, but it wasn’t? It was dark and funny, even though it was ten years old, which, to twelve-year-old me, was ANCIENT. Over the next few weeks, I read through it hundred of times. The women in it were all booby nurse stereotypes, but there was Spy vs. Spy, and Al Jaffee’s crazy-detailed, surreal drawings. Every part of that issue is tattoed in my brain, and acts like a memory portal to the very slow, beautiful, heavy-scented summer that changed my life for the better, showing me a different, kinder world. 
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WHAT, ME WORRY?
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Category: Interviews & Appreciations / Tags: , , , , , , ,
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