ISSUE 10, 2024
Our new line-up includes interviews with Lance Bass, Christina Soontornvat, Jules Feiffer, Jennifer Killick, Seth Fishman, Stacy Lynn Carroll, Emma Hunsinger, and Hannah Chung! Conrad Storad talks about insect architects, Judy Newman announces a special launch, and Nick Spake reviews The Wild Robot. And be sure to check out our newest book reviews and fall reading list. It’s all inside!
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FEATURES
One to Read:
Lance Bass
by Raven Howell
Halloween is a favorite holiday for many of us, and multi-talented superstar Lance Bass has special memories of trick-or-treating. “I grew up in a small town in Mississippi, which had less than 2,000 people. It wasn’t hard to cover half the town in one night. I was that kid who had a plan and would hit every house I possibly could, but I had a strategy: I’d always be one of the last kids of the night, so I’d get so much more candy,” he mischievously reveals.
“One memory that stands out is when I was in the sixth grade, my friends and I threw a party where we all reenacted Clue, one of my favorite movies. Everyone had to come in character, and we acted the whole thing out. I guess that was my first taste of film production! What foreshadowing.”
Foreshadowing, for sure. Lance has celebrated success as a singer, actor, producer, writer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He’s won a number of awards as a member of the band, NSYNC. The list includes the American Music Award, People’s Choice, MTV Video Music Award, Kids’ Choice Award, and several Grammy nominations. He also remains active in various organizations, including the Lance Bass Foundation, created to meet children’s educational and health needs. Writing and releasing his first children’s book this year should come as no surprise.
The title, Trick or Treat on Scary Street, ran through his head and instigated the entire story. “It did!” he exclaims. “Once I had Trick or Treat on Scary Street, I started imagining who would live on this street and what their lives might actually look like. I think all kids would love to trick or treat on Scary Street—don’t you?” he asks.
photo by Sam-Bond
Christina Soontornvat
Inspires Little Citizens to Vote
by Raven Howell
Are you looking for an ideal resource to initiate a conversation with children and budding young activists about elections? Three-time Newbery Honoree Christina Soontornvat and illustrator Isabel Roxas’ new picture book, Leo’s First Vote, may be a good place to start.
In the story’s accessible, kid-friendly plot, Leo’s father is voting in his first election as a naturalized U.S. citizen. Together, Leo and his father learn all the why’s and how’s of voting. “Leo and his father were inspired by my dad and me,” says Christina. “My dad immigrated to the U.S. from Thailand, and when I was about Leo’s age, he got his U.S. citizenship. I remember being really proud and excited for him. And I also remember that throughout my childhood, he would ask me to explain things about America to him. So I thought it would be a perfect way to dive into the subject of voting and elections, by having the father and son learning alongside each other.”
Christina has authored over 20 books for kids, ranging from picture book stories, graphic novels, and nonfiction to fantasy. Leo’s First Vote is distinct, offering youngest readers an uplifting introduction to voting and elections.
photo by JZ Holden
Jules Feiffer
Pens His First Graphic Novel
by Raven Howell
It’s 2024. Jules Feiffer has written and illustrated his first graphic novel for young readers. HarperCollins publishes Amazing Grapes, and he experiences surprise and elation at the amount of praise and glowing reviews the book is garnering. But Jules Feiffer is no novice. He’s been an internationally famous cartoonist and writer for over 60 years. His work has involved cartoon animation, written collections, novels, plays, satirical revues, and picture books. Among his many awards is the Pulitzer Prize he won in 1986 for editorial cartooning and an Academy Award for his animated satire, Munro.
His notable children’s books include Smart George, I Lost My Bear, The Phantom Tollbooth, and Rupert Can Dance. His controversial plays, Little Murders, and the screenplay, Carnal Knowledge, have influenced generations, and he’s been given testimonial exhibitions by the Library of Congress and the New York Historical Society. Jules is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and to this day, well into his nineties, remains active and creative.
“It began with my comic strip, Feiffer, and then it moved into other things. Theater happened, one thing merged into another thing, and that merged into something else.... I was always trying to catch up with myself,” he chuckles, discussing his illustrious career over the decades. “Transition and lots of work was involved from one form to another. As I changed, the times changed and vice versa.”
“I think all of us spend our lives, in one way or another, settling scores with our childhood—positively or negatively. Surrendering, blending in, melding in with it, our childhood never leaves us. I was born in January 1929. I lived through the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, McCarthyism, and I saw the country change.”
Jennifer Killick
Invites Students to Screech School
by Raven Howell
“It’s been proven that children who read for pleasure achieve more highly in life, regardless of other factors (such as race, social class, gender, etc.), so children’s books are literally a way of leveling up, opening doors, and, most importantly, making people happier. What could be more important than that?” asks English author Jennifer Killick.
Jennifer is known for her middle grade award-winning Dread Wood series, the scary Crater Lake novels, and the Alex Sparrow books. Her writing style leans toward horror-comedy and often, her stories are twisted with science fiction. Earlier this year, she authored Dread Detention in the aptly titled Creatures & Teachers series which has been described as The Breakfast Club meets Stranger Things. And Screech School, the second installment, was released this fall. “Screech School has a couple of new characters,” Jennifer explains. “And we get to learn more about Angelo’s home life and family. It’s darker than the first book, but hopefully also warmer and funnier as the friendships have developed.”
“I have 13 published books in the U.K. now, plus one that is mostly written and coming out next year, and some more in progress. I’ve been very fortunate to have some brilliant opportunities. The Alex Sparrow book series was my first to be published, and it was such a dream come true to see my stories in print and being read by children. The best thing about being published is hearing from readers, or their teachers or parents, that the books have made a positive difference to their lives.” Jennifer reflects, “There are some children who I know still go to the Alex Sparrow books as their comfort reads, and that is such a wonderful thing.”
photo by David Larson
Seth Fishman
Builds a Totally Awesome Picture Book
by Raven Howell
“Truly building out the very thing you love onto the page,” is what Seth Fishman says is the most wonderful thing about writing. “Picture books are the fundamental building blocks of our society! Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar by itself teaches shapes, colors, fruits, days of the week, health, nutrition, and metamorphosis. Nowadays books niche more and can get right into any need, and the writers and artists are so brave for reaching right at parents to provide tools for the world.”
Award-winning author Seth Fishman is a native of Midland, Texas. “I’m a literary agent as my day job, and a dad too. Luckily, writing kids’ books is only 500 words a year. But I’ve wanted to be an author since forever! And like most authors, I’ve written some books that are in drawers. I’ve published two YA books and seven picture books. Lots of books! When I write, I mutter around with an idea, then vomit out a draft over a weekend, and spend a month or more trying to shape it,” he says.
“I grew up in West Texas. Flat, desert, oil, football. I loved thunderstorms. I loved the shooting stars. I loved dreaming up the books of the future. I played soccer, read books, and had friends I would do anything for.” Soccer, to this day, is still his favorite pastime, but even as a child, he dreamed of becoming a writer.
Seth’s new picture book, Brandon and the Totally Troublesome Time Machine (published by Penguin Workshop) offers a fun take on time travel and will have kids laughing and contemplating the timeless dilemma of doing homework and the responsibility of decision-making and consequences.
Stacy Lynn Carroll
Inspires Kindness with New Picture Book
by Raven Howell
“I really love being able to connect with people,” says author Stacy Lynn Carroll. “There is no greater feeling than receiving an email from someone who was touched by one of my books. Whether they felt humor or inspiration, I really love that I connected with that person, who I otherwise would never have met.”
Already an accomplished young adult and adult novelist, Stacy is now celebrating her new picture book, The Yowlers. With a preference for the color pink, an inclination toward caffeine, and affectionately “Mommy” to her five children, she says her family helps keep her motivated. “My kids love bragging to their teachers and friends that their mom is an author. And my husband is also incredibly supportive. Whenever I feel like giving up, they push me to keep going. With five kids, you can imagine my life is BUSY! But I have a few hours a week that I dedicate to writing. I also go on writers’ retreats when I can, to write for weekends at a time. I do most of my author assemblies while my kids are in school. I also schedule signings for weekends, so my husband can be home with the kids. It’s definitely a balancing act,” she confides.
When Stacy was growing up, she wanted to become a veterinarian. “I absolutely love animals! I loved any books involving animals. And I also loved the Baby-sitters Club Little Sister books when I was younger, and still own most of them. When I got older, I loved mysteries and suspense, and devoured any Agatha Christie book I could get my hands on! When I was in middle school, I won a writing contest that my teacher semi-forced us to enter.” She says that was the impetus to give her the confidence to keep writing.
photo by Shirley Hale Photography
Q&A with
Emma Hunsinger
by Raven Howell
Thirteen-year-old Tara lives inside the nonstop adventure of her imagination. It’s far more entertaining than dull, everyday life. But when she’s bumped from seventh grade directly to high school, back-to-school season gives her a dramatic jolt to reality. Tara isn’t ready to watch the racy shows the high school kids like, or listen to angsty music, or to stop playing make-believe with her younger brother. She’s not ready to change for PE in front of everyone, or for the chaos of the hallways, or for the anarchy of an English class that’s overrun with 14-year-old boys. But then there’s Libby....
We needed to know what happens next (and more importantly, how it all ends!), so we went straight to Emma Hunsinger, the creator of the popular “How to Draw a Horse,” to ask about her graphic novel debut.
Q: Tell us a bit about your background/life growing up.
A: I grew up in Connecticut, the second oldest of four kids. I spent a lot of time playing with my brother and sisters, and during my downtime, I would draw. I got REALLY into drawing in second grade when I decided I was good at it and from then on I spent almost all of my free time drawing.
Q: Tell us about your career and where you worked before you became a cartoonist/writer. What inspired those career choices?
A: I didn’t go to art school, but I did study art in college. After college, I wanted to work in an office because I thought that’s what I had to do (I still had a lot to learn, haha). I ended up getting a job in the business department at The New Yorker; I was an assistant to several salespeople there. I loved my coworkers and would often make little drawings to make them laugh and eventually, they were encouraging me to submit gag cartoons to the magazine. I left The New Yorker to try and take art more seriously. I had a few odd jobs while I worked on gag cartoons and eventually ended up selling one to The New Yorker.
The Book Bug
Hannah Chung
by Raven Howell
“I spent my childhood traveling back and forth between the U.S. and Korea—I lived in six different cities before I entered college,” says The Most Perfect Persimmon author/illustrator, Hannah Chung. “I was a curious, silly, and expressive kid who always stood up for what I thought was right. My room was filled with my drawings, origami, and piano books. I love my younger sister—we are still best friends. As a kid, I genuinely believed I was her mom when mom was not around—even for an hour-long grocery run. I had many interesting pets like three fishes, three snails, and 40 tadpoles and later, frogs,” she smiles.
Hannah already has a very full resume, including design leader and entrepreneur, and co-founder of two award-winning organizations working to empower student innovators and improve kids’ lives. She’s won the National Design Award, Cannes Silver Lion, CES Best of Innovation, and Time Best Inventions among others. Hannah’s an adjunct professor at RISD and an advisor to startups and nonprofits. In other words, she’s a powerhouse of creativity and inspiration, describing herself as “curious, optimistic, and open-minded.” She finds joy in small, simple things and says she loves learning about life through building friendships with people of all ages. “And I used to own too many notebooks. But I own way too many plants now—they keep growing and spreading!”
“I loved reading as a child, especially picture books,” she recalls. “We also had these CD-ROMs called Living Books, which were animated, clickable picture books we played on Windows 95. They were amazing—so fun to read and play with! I discovered many great books through Living Books, and these stories helped me stay connected to the U.S. culture. My favorite books were Mercer Mayer’s Grandma and Me & Little Monster at School, Marc Brown’s Arthur series, Kevin Henkes’s Sheila Rae the Brave, and Jannell Cannon’s Stellaluna. In upper elementary school, I enjoyed all 14 books in the Wizard of Oz series, Roald Dahls’ books like Matilda, and Judy Blume’s Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.”
MONTHLY COLUMNS
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Monsters at the Movies
The Wild Robot
by Nick Spake -
Life of a Reader
LAUNCH!
by Judy Newman -
Conrad‘s Classroom
Insect Architects…
the Bald-Faced Truth -
Liv On Life
What Makes Me Human?
by Olivia Amiri -
Kids Corner
Coloring Page
Hannah Chung
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