Thanks for this interview, Anne. I’ve always wanted to write children’s
books. When did you determine that writing
for children was for you?
I was an elementary teacher and then a teacher librarian for
many years. I loved reading to the children. I was as excited about the
delightful stories as they were. There always seemed to be something I could
relate to as well. Children loved asking questions about the stories,
characters and illustrations. There were lively discussions and many times
their answers were insightful, at times, funny and always honest. Many of these
books captured the children's imagination and encouraged them to work through
their own thoughts and feelings.
The children's books caught my youthful fancy too. They
frequently ushered me back to my childhood and the precious story hours with my
grandmother. I was struck by the reading 'bug' that continued all my life. So
when I decided to write, I was drawn to children's literature.
What was the inspiration behind your children’s book, That'll Do Pippin?
Dogs have constantly been in my life and by my side. They
were my playmates and my confidants. There were many dogs in my neighbourhood.
Every close childhood friend included a dog. Whether it was a baseball game, a
soccer game, an imaginary made up story to act, a bike ride or a skating party
our dogs were with us.
I have had many wonderful dog breeds sharing my life, but
have always been consistently drawn to the Border Collie's charisma. They are
smart, playful, wise and a "take charge" kind of dog.
Pippin is my dog. He came from a working farm. When he was a
pup, he was a most comical, gentle boy and he looked like a little cartoon
character. His brother Nigel was the leader of the litter, who took command of
any playtime. He now happily lives in the United
States, excelling in the dog sport, Agility.
Pippin and Nigel are delightful but distinctive and unique personalities. I
thought they might be two appealing characters for a children's book.
How do you get into the mind of a child to create a fun
reading experience? Are you around
kids? Are you a kid at heart?
Many children went
through my school library. I would have story times and book studies with at
least four to five classes a day (about 200 students). The children loved
discussing the books and asking questions. They seemed to believe in the
characters and their stories and feelings. Reading
and working on book projects were for me a rewarding time and enabled me
experience the books through the eyes of the children.
I suppose I am a kid at heart. I still love children's
stories, picture books and novels.
What was your favorite book as a child?
I didn't have one favourite book. When I was four years, a
book called The Penny Puppy was a daily request. I heard it so
many times that I knew the whole story word for word. Naturally, the next new
dog/animal story was often my favourite.
In later years, I loved the Anne of Green Gables series, The
Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The
Wind in the Willows and Black Beauty.
I enjoyed mysteries (even adult ones, particularly Agatha Christie). Farley
Mowat's books, especially The Dog Who
Wouldn't Be touched my heart.
What kind of advice would you give writers who would like
to write children’s books?
Have fun! Stretch
your imagination! Familiarity with your subject taps into your own experiences
and emotions. Even if the story sounds impractical, just go for it. Children
are clever. They love reading about the impossible becoming possible. They
embrace unlikely heroes. They want to believe in the characters and their
journeys.
What are your goals for the future? More children’s books?
I wrote a Junior level children's non-fiction book, Glenn Gould: Sketches of Solitude before
the Pippin books.
A second book for the
That'll Do Pup series, Pippin and Nigel's Christmas Adventure, was
published around the same time as That'll
Do Pippin. I am working on a third That'll Do Pup book.
I am on final revisions of a historical fiction book, Northern Dancer: A Stable Girl's Journey
for YA on the great Canadian racehorse and Kentucky Derby winner, Northern
Dancer.
About the Book:
Pippin and Nigel are two charming
puppy brothers who live on a wonderful farm. They are best buddies and do
everything together. They are full of mischief, energy and fun! Pippin is the
smaller puppy who wants with all his heart to be like his brother Nigel. Nigel
is brave. Nigel is strong. Nigel is smart. One day, the puppies escape from
their yard into the woods where they experience many adventures. Nigel is
always there to help and protect Pippin. Then Pippin solves a dangerous problem
all by himself and learns that it is okay just to be Pippin.
This story teaches young
children the importance of believing in themselves and that they each have
their own wonderful gifts and abilities.
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