five questions with andrea beaty

 

Author Andrea Beaty stops by to answer five questions about her literary brood of wunderkinds, how she became a writer and more.  Her newest collaboration with illustrator David Roberts, ADA TWIST, SCIENTIST, is out now.

How and why did you decide to become a writer?

While I've always loved books and writing, I never thought about writing professionally until I was about 30. I studied biology and computer science in college and worked for a few years in the software industry. Once I had kids and got to read books with them, I started getting ideas for stories, wrote them and (20 years later) here I am!  Life is always an unexpected journey!

 

What inspired the stories of Iggy, Rosie and now brilliant little Ada?

Iggy was inspired by my son who loved building things when he was a little kid. Rosie and Ada grew out of David Roberts' amazing illustrations. I spent a lot of time staring at his art to find clues about the kids' personalities. Rosie hides behind her bangs so i asked "Why?" and the story grew from there. Ada is the girl standing to one side and thinking while the other kids are gathering shoestrings to build Iggy's bridge. 

 

What were some of your favorite books as a kid? 

GO DOG, GO! and HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS were my favorite picture books. For novels, Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden were my faves. I think there are some great books from my childhood which still survive today, but by and large, the quality of picture books now is so much better than when I was growing up.

 

Typically how long is the writing process for one of your books from idea to publication?

The answer to that question is "I have no clue!"  It varies so much from book to book. I've written books in an hour (DOCTOR TED) and taken 10 years to write others (HUSH BABY GHOSTLING). My first picture book took 5 years to reach readers AFTER I sold it. Others have been published in 18 months. 

 

What have been some of your biggest challenges in the writing process, for any of your books?

Always, my biggest challenge is carving out time to write. I tend to let other things grab my attention and then I get off track. It's a good problem to have, but one I need to work on. 

 

 

Thank you, Andrea, for stopping by to chat with us.  You can read about Andrea’s work on her site and keep up with her latest news on Twitter.

 

 

Images courtesy of Andrea Beaty, David Roberts and Abrams Books.

the ride-by-nights

“‘Neath Charlie’s Wain they twitter and tweet,

And away they swarm ‘neath the Dragon’s feet,

With a whoop and a flutter they swing and sway,

And surge pell-mell down the Milky Way.”

In The Ride-by-Nights, children go trick-or-treating on Halloween evening as a group of mischievous little witches fly through the fantastic night sky above them.  I love getting caught up in the momentum of Walter de la Mare's poem, read aloud or silently.  Carolina Rabei captures the brilliance and energy of de la Mare’s words in her enchanting illustrations, which bear their own kind of bewitching magic.

Published by Faber & Faber.

penguin problems

"It snowed some more last night,

and I don't even like the snow."

Oh, the trials and travails of a penguin.  This little guy will go on and on about them.  But thank goodness for strange, wise walruses who shed light (albeit of the  cold and arctic ilk) on the situation.  A refreshing read and great way to start the week.

Penguin Problems is by Jory John and Lane Smith.  Brought to us by Random House Kids.

love is a tutu and love is a truck

Amy Novesky is an editor and author of many great works including Cloth Lullaby and Me, Frida.

Love Is a Tutu is the first in the “Love Is” series, a collaboration with Sara Gillingham.  “Love is a pas de deux, the sweetest dance of all.”  The enchanting words and winsome illustrations in this unique clothbound book are an absolute treat and are perfect for the little dancer in your life.

Sara Gillingham has left her mark on the world of publishing and has had a hand in designing scores of beautiful, thoughtful children's books.  The books that she illustrates are no different—they are equally lovely.  Love Is a Truck is sweet and sentimental with the modern sensibilities that she's come to be known for.  It's an ode to trucks and the children who have a deep affinity to them.  Amy Novesky’s text is simple and beautifully rhythmic.  You'll love holding this precious clothbound book in your hands and turning its wonderfully textured pages with your own little truck aficionados.

Brava! to Amy Novesky and Sara Gillingham on this loveliest of collaborations.  Published by Cameron + Company.