​PopUp StoryWalk Author Interview: A Conversation with Susan Verde
Born and brought up in New York City, Susan Verde has been writing since she was a child, often prompted by the array of activity and experiences within her bustling city. After having received her elementary education degree and teaching children for many years, Susan delved into learning yoga and mindfulness. Two practices which eventually led her to writing several children’s yoga books and teaching mindfulness to kids. Finding inspiration from supermodel Gerogie Badiel’s childhood journey to find clean water for her home and village, Susan wrote about Princess Gie Gie in her beautiful book, “The Water Princess.” Shedding light on the topics of water conservation and accessibility, this book has taught and encouraged many to learn more about water in the world. Read on to discover more about Susan’s life, upcoming work, and influences.
Tell us a little about yourself. About how you became an author and the moment you knew that this was the path you were meant to be on.
I grew up in the West Village of NYC surrounded by artists and graffiti, music and books. I always loved writing ever since I was a little girl but never thought about it as a career. My first job was in retail at a high-end clothing store in Manhattan and I continued in both the fashion and music worlds until I got a BA and MA in elementary education and reading remediation and ultimately became an elementary school teacher. I wrote and read all the while and by the time I had my own children I had a pile of stories waiting to be shared. With the encouragement of a friend and an opportunity to attend a workshop run by Peter H Reynolds t the Southampton Children’s Literature conference, writing as a career became possible. My first book, The Museum was a poem I shared with Peter who said,“THAT is a story and I want to illustrate it!” and so it began. I continue to be incredibly grateful for that moment.
 
What inspires and motivates you to write?
I think I am motivated by both my own inner child and the children around me. Everyone has a right to feel safe and seen and to express themselves as individuals. I want to support that and also to celebrate every child’s unique experience. I will continue to try my best to show that in my writing.
 
What is the best career advice you have received and what advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Write every day. Even if it’s a line. Even if you never look at it again. Make it part of your day to write and be kind to yourself as you do it. Best advice gotten and to share. A lot of writing is observing and thinking. So try to stay connected to the moments in your life.
 
Tell us the story behind “The Water Princess.” Why did you write this book? Were you involved in how the book was illustrated?
The book was an extremely collaborative experience. Peter H Reynolds introduced me to Georgie Badiel (the inspiration for this story) after meeting her through a friend and hearing her own personal story. He knew I would fall in love with both her and the story and want to help bring awareness to this terrible situation happen all over the world…lack of access to clean water.
 
Talk a little about water conservation and why it is important for children to know about it?
I have learned a lot about the water crisis around the world through the creation of this book and I think it is especially important for children to understand that water is life and we shouldn’t take it for granted that we have access to clean water. Kids should know that they have the ability to make a difference by conserving water and also raising awareness.
Who are your literary influences? Favorite authors? What is the last book you read?
I have been a reader since I was little and am a fan of so many children’s authors from Ezra Jack Keats to Peter H Reynolds. I love YA novels as well. Elizabeth Acevedo and Jason Reynolds are a couple of my favorites but it’s very difficult to narrow it down. There are so many wonderful new works and authors all of the time.  The last book I read was actually an older novel called A Fine Balance. I just recently returned from India and have been reading all things India lately.
 
Do you have any future projects that you would like to talk about?
I have 2 new books coming soon. In July I have a book called Unstoppable Me which puts a positive spin on kids with an abundance of energy. It really is about celebrating different ways of being in the world. In September Peter H Reynolds and I have the 4th in out I Am series called I Am Love. A book of Compassion. It’s a beautiful look at the power of love in all of its forms.  
What is your favorite memory of the outdoors?
I love the outdoors. I am not much of a camper but being outdoors especially at the beach is incredibly important to me. I have so many memories of swimming in the ocean and riding my bike and just playing outside with friends. Being outdoors is good for my soul.
Many children and families will be walking the trail to read your book. What would you like to tell them?
What an amazing way to interact with literature! I want them to know that they are powerful and important and can make a difference in the world. There is hope and their voices matter.

​Interview and Photos Written and Compiled by Jasmin Thankachen

Nina Laden is the author of "Yellow Kayak," a beautifully written and illustrated poem, describing a young child's journey through the sea with an unlikely friend. Nina began drawing and writing very early on, using her imagination to make lovable characters and memorable stories. Publishing her first children's book, "The Night I Followed the Dog" in 1994, Nina began her career as an artist and author, sharing over a dozen books with little readers through the years. Since then, she's landed on many children's "must read" lists with her fun children's books: "Peek-a Who", "Peek-a Boo" and others.

PopUp StoryWalk catches up with Nina, who shares a bit about her passion, inspiration and advice for future writers and artists. For more information about Nina Laden's upcoming projects, please visit her website at ninaladen.com. Meet her, in person, on August 11th at Rhododendron Park, at the PopUp StoryWalk booth. Trek on the path to read "Yellow Kayak" and adventure along with two brave friends who take on the sea! 

 A talk with Nina Laden:

How did you come up with the idea for the Yellow Kayak? What made you choose to write the story in rhyme?

“Yellow Kayak” is based partially on a true story of a kayak paddle I did years ago. I went paddling with my husband and two friends and we got caught in a gale that was not forecast and we had to be rescued.
I write songs and poetry as well as stories. The original poem, which was titled “Sea-Story” came to me while I was sitting in the ferry line waiting to go home. I wrote it to the rhythm of paddling my kayak. Each two words/line is a stroke of the paddle.

Why did you choose a giraffe to travel with the child on the adventure? Living on an island, do you get out on the water often? Have you had adventures like the characters of your story?

I had no idea that there would be a giraffe in the book. When I wrote it, I wrote it as a solo journey- and in my mind it was a little girl in a kayak. My editor and the illustrator, Melissa Castrillon added the giraffe. I didn’t know about it until the book was in proof form.
Yes, I love to get out on the water. I’ve kayaked for over twenty years now, and last year I started paddleboarding. My paddleboard only weighs 19 lbs- so it’s much easier to walk it down to the beach from my house. We also have a “sport utility vessel”- a fishing boat- and we love to go shrimping, crabbing, island hopping… the water is like another backyard.

I've read many summaries from reviewers about the moral of the story and wanted to know from you, what was the lesson that you wanted to convey to the reader?

That’s very interesting. I had no ideas that reviewers have been talking about the moral. I did write “Yellow Kayak” as a “hero’s journey,” where the child protagonist goes on this adventure and returns transformed- in this case the lesson would be not to give up- and to believe in the impossible, like being rescued by whales.

What motivates and excites you to write and illustrate children's books and not other genres?

It seems that I was wired to write and illustrate children’s books. Both of my parents were artists and loved books. I started making books before I could write by folding paper and telling my mom the story and then I’d illustrate it after she wrote the words. I believe that I still am in touch with the child I was and I’m curious by nature. I also love the world that you can create with a picture book- both story and visual- a world between two covers.
I did write an adult age novel- a very dark one, but I have not sold it yet. I’ve also been working on a middle grade novel, too. That one may turn into a graphic novel.

Describe the moment you knew that you wanted to be an author/illustrator.

I was nine years old and in the fourth grade at Garden School in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City. (I skipped Kindergarten, that’s why I was nine.) Mrs. Gilman was my English teacher and I adored her. She adored the book that I had just written and illustrated in class, “The Unbearable Bird.” I still have it. It is nine written pages- with many color illustrations. I read it now and can hear “my voice.” I still have that voice. I knew at age nine that writing and illustrating children’s books was what I wanted to do. It has not been easy, but I’m doing it. And will keep doing it because it comes from my soul.

You have made books from a very young age , which book launched your career and was there any hesitation to send that book out into the world?

My career was launched with my first published book, “The Night I Followed the Dog,” which came out in 1994, published by Chronicle Books, and will be twenty-five years in print next year. It sold out the first printing BEFORE it came out. It’s been optioned for feature film many times. (but I have the rights back again.) I wrote “The Night I Followed the Dog” in October 1989 when I was 27. I let a friend read it and he didn’t like that the boy and the dog talked to each other. I was afraid to show it to anyone after that, so I put it in a drawer for four years. Finally in 1993 I got up my courage to submit it… and the rest is history.

Who are your top three influences, literary or otherwise? What is the last book you read?

My biggest influence hands-down, was my mom. She was an abstract expressionist painter, a poet, an art teacher- she exposed me to so many artists, poets, writers, nature, life- at such an early age. She also battled mental illness and poverty after my father left us when I was eleven. Tragically she never lived to see my books get published. I think she knows. I call her my “avant-guardian angel.”
My other influences are so vast and varied. I’m a polymath. I love artists like Saul Steinberg. I grew up on underground cartoonists and worshiped R. Crumb. My mom had me reading James Thurber and Edward Lear when I was in elementary school. I’ve played guitar since I was eight and the blues is my favorite genre- so many amazing influences there… I also wanted to be Joni Mitchell when I was in high school. I started writing songs when I was thirteen.
It’s funny, right now my life is so complicated that I can’t enjoy reading like I used to. I read many books at once and if a book truly grabs me, then I finish it. I’m also reading picture books to keep up with what is going on in the field, although I can’t even do that. The most recent book I finished (and it did grab me) was Kate Messner’s “The Seventh Wish.” (And I recently read and loved both of Anthony Bourdain’s graphic novels “Get Jiro” and “Blood and Sushi.”)

Yellow Kayak was illustrated by UK artist, Melissa Castrillon. How did you know that you wanted to partner with another illustrator and not use your own illustrations? What was the collaboration process like in creating the drawings for this book?
I didn’t know that I was not going to illustrate “Yellow Kayak” when I wrote it. When Paula Wiseman of Simon and Schuster wanted to publish my book, “If I Had a Little Dream,” she didn’t think my illustration style went with what I wrote. She sent me a link to Melissa Castrillon’s website to see her work. Melissa had never illustrated a full children’s book at that stage, but I liked her style and was willing to let her do it. The way that this particular editor works is not like what I had experienced before. I was not allowed to see the sketches until the book was in proof form. Fortunately it was a nice surprise and I loved what Melissa had done for “Little Dream.”
Then editor Paula wanted us to collaborate on another book together right away and she asked me to send her some texts. I sent quite a few, and to my surprise, she chose “Sea-Story,” which was my original title for “Yellow Kayak.” I was reluctant to give up illustrating it, especially since it was based on personal experience. But I decided to let it go. Sometimes you just have to do that. And again, I was not shown sketches… so it’s been a bit of a strange journey, but somehow we made it home safe and a great book was born.

When you are piecing together the concept for a book, which comes first for you? The drawings or the words?
Almost always the words/story comes first. Sometimes I may have a visual image in my head that sparks a concept, but more likely than not – a title, or a series of words combine together and form a unique idea. After I’ve figured out the story, which includes the tricky part: the voice- and when my agent has approved of the text after I’ve revised it- sometimes over and over- then I’ll start sketching.

What is the best career advice you have ever been given? Please share some tips for aspiring authors and illustrators.

Before I touch on “career” I want to touch on “creative advice:” The best advice for creativity came when I was a teenager. A woman who was an artist- a friend- gave me an accordion fold journal. I had already started journaling, but she said, “I gave you this kind of journal because you can’t tear the pages out.” It was then that I realized that everything is important and you never know where the seed of an idea will come from- so I do journal everything- writing, drawing, I paste things in my journals, and I never tear out the pages.
As far as career advice: I’m not sure that most of what people have told me has really helped. What I’ve learned over twenty-five years of making books is that you have to be yourself. You can’t be the “next Harry Potter- for an obvious example”- you have to be you. Sometimes you will be riding the wave, and sometimes you will be dashed by it. I’ve learned that you have to write from your heart- and draw from it, too. And kids know when you are being authentic. Publishers and editors change their tastes over time- and things go in and out of style, but I believe that if you have a good story – it will live on. Hopefully for a very long time.

Talk to us a little about your future projects.

Right now I have a new novelty book for toddlers that I’ll be painting soon. Chronicle Books is the publisher. I also have another poetic book that will be coming out from Roaring Brook/MacMillan in 2020. I’m not allowed to say anything about these until the publishers announce them. Sometimes that takes a long time. My editor for “Yellow Kayak” wants Melissa and I to do a third book together. I’ve sent her many, many texts, but so far she hasn’t accepted any of them. So I keep on keeping on.
I have dozens of other stories/texts in various stages and I’m always coming up with new ones. Some need a long time to simmer. Some are born close to ready to go. Sometimes it’s timing. I’m becoming much more philosophical about things these days!

What is your favorite outdoor memory?

This must be a trick question! I do so many things outdoors. Maybe years ago, when we were out in our old little 18’ aluminum skiff crabbing. My best friend, who is a documentary filmmaker was visiting from Los Angeles. We were sitting in the boat, floating in Rosario Strait, eating lunch, and the entire J-pod of orca whales came through. They swam under our boat, around it, they breeched and did cartwheels… it was pure magic. My girlfriend caught it with her camera, too. We didn’t catch any crabs that day, but it was the best treat ever.

Many children will be walking the PopUp StoryWalk trail to read Yellow Kayak and will be inspired by your work. What would you like to tell them?

Greetings fellow book lovers, picture lovers, story lovers, kayak lovers, adventure lovers: may your experiences inspire you, and may your imagination take you places that will excite you to explore this beautiful world, and to tell stories about it. I hope you enjoy "Yellow Kayak," and will want to dip a paddle, or a toe in the water. I also hope you will see that books can take you places, in real life and in your dreams. I'm so happy you are here. Happy Paddles from your friend, Nina Laden.
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In​terview and Photos Written and Compiled by Jasmin Thankachen
 
David Litchfield is an illustrator of many books. His award-winning picture book, The Bear and the Piano, was his first author/illustrator children's book. This beautifully drawn narrative tells the story of a bear who discovers a piano in the woods and has a subsequent adventure traveling to the city, then finding his home, the place where he truly belongs. PopUp StoryWalk had the good fortune of interviewing this author who had amazing things to share about his work. Read more about Litchfield's drawing process as well as how he came up with The Bear and the Piano story. Take the trail at Brightwater Park in Woodinville to experience our StoryWalk with Bear through the woods!

Be sure to check out David Litchfield's Facebook page: David Litchfield Illustration and his website: davidlitchfieldillustration.com. His latest book, The Bear, The Piano, the Dog and the Fiddler will be published on September 6, 2018. Visit your local bookstore or our partner The Neverending Bookshop to purchase your copy.




1) How did you come up with the idea for The Bear and the Piano? Why was it important for Bear to return home?
I sketch all of the time in my sketchbook and one night I happened to draw a really scary looking bear playing the piano. Once I drew it, I wanted to know the story behind it and that's where the main narrative came from. Also, the idea of the bear going out of its natural habitat and following his dreams, even though it was really scary, was something that I felt could resonate with a lot of people.
I think that it's important that he come home to the forest and sees that no matter how far away he travels he will always have that support and love to come back to from time to time.

2) What motivates you to write and illustrate children's books and not other genres? What is it about children's books that make it so exciting for you?
I love the form of children's books and how you can just let your imagination run wild. Children are much more willing to go with a story and find out where it takes them. I love that. We can start a book with 'One day a Bear finds a piano in the woods...' or 'There's a secret Giant living in our town and no one can see him...' and kids will accept that they are in this magical new world and go with it.

3) How did you know you wanted to be a writer/illustrator? And what did you do to launch your career?
I have always drawn since as far back as I can remember. We didn't have computer games in my house or much of anything so my mum bought home tons of blank paper from work which would keep me entertained for hours on end. I would create comics for my older brother and sister or just draw characters and scenes and I just had the most amount of fun. Anyway, it wasn't until I was much older that I realized that I could actually do that as a job.
When I really committed to becoming a full time illustrator, I really thought about what area I wanted to focus on. I kept thinking back to the joy I felt getting lost in the artwork of 'Where the Wild Things Are' and 'The Moomins'' and how much these books inspired me when I was really young.
I thought about how great it would be to be given the opportunity to create my own picture books and I still pinch myself and can't quite believe that I am actually doing that now. There is so much scope to let your imagination really fly within children's books and the limitless visual possibilities really drew me in.

4) Who are your literary influences, favorite authors, and what is the last book you read?
I think I do subconsciously Uderzo, Sendak, Herge, Tove Janson etc were all so influential in my childhood. Not just from copying their drawing style when I was young, but also just from their books just being around and me devouring their artwork so much.
But another great influence on me growing up were films. Films were another thing that both me and my brother obsessed about. As a child of the 80s I was prime age for the VHS generation and again my mum would let us watch films to keep us entertained for a few hours. In fact, Steven Spielberg is probably one of the overall biggest influences on my books to be honest. His use of light and how the shots are framed in his films very much inspire my drawings.
In fact the last book I read was Lynch on Lynch which is interviews with the great film director David Lynch.

5) What was your inspiration behind the beautiful drawings in The Bear and the Piano? What is the process in creating such eye-catching spreads?
I make lots and lots of water color washes before scanning them into my computer and then combining them in Photoshop. These generally become the background. I then draw out all the characters etc and place them over the water color washes.
I tried to make the spread in the forest feel as natural and warm as possible. So used lots of browns, yellows, and greens. Then when he's in the city the colors and textures are a bit more harsher and unforgiving. I think a lot of the story can be told through visuals and it's important to consider colors and light and textures as another important factor in moving the story forward.

6) What is your favorite memory of the outdoors?
Near where we lived in Bedfordshire, England was a place called The Spinney, which was basically a stream running through a small wood but that was the setting of many epic and daring adventures between me and my friends. I try to get into nature as much as possible and myself and my family will go on long walks in the woods or bike rides as much as we possibly can.

7) Many children will be walking the trail to read your book. They will be inspired by your story and your work. What would you like to tell them?
This is such a lovely thing to hear. I still can't quite get my head around the fact that the book I drew and wrote when we were living in our cramped little apartment in our small British town is now read by kids all over the world. It's a real dream come true. My advice to them is to follow your dreams and see where they can take you. And also try and have as many different adventures as possible :)

Interview and Photos Written and Compiled by Jasmin Thankachen

Learn a little more about our featured author for our first PopUp StoryWalk, Kevan Atteberry. He answers our questions and reveals a little more about a writer's inspiration and advice for other aspiring artists.

PopUp extends a huge thank you to Kevan for helping our first StoryWalk come alive! With a funny and entertaining story, colorful pictures and an awesome sense of engagement, children travel from page to page, following Declan and the Bunnies!!! laughing and exploring along the way. 

Questions with Kevan 
1) What was your inspiration for the book Bunnies!!! ?

I had drawn and posted a picture of a monster and some bunnies where the monster was exclaiming “Bunnies!!!” People responded one of two ways; they thought the monster wanted to eat the bunnies or they thought the monster  was smitten by the bunnies. A book idea rose from that pretty quickly.

2) How did you get into being an author/illustrator?

Well, that’s an easy question…I’ve always loved reading and drawing. I wanted to make books as early as kindergarten.

3) Who are your favorite children's authors, or otherwise?

Oh boy…So many to choose from. Maurice Sendak, of course, William Steig, James Marshall, Arthur Rackham. More current authors/illustrators include Oliver Jeffers, Rowboat Watkins, Bob Shea, Molly Idle, Deborah Underwood, Marla Frazee, Peter Brown, Adam Rex and on and on and on…

4) What was the last book you read?

This morning I read PETE WITH NO PANTS by Rowboat Watkins for the umpteenth time. It is an hilarious story with hilarious illustrations. A perfect combination! 

5) What's your favorite memory of the outdoors?

Growing up we always lived near some deep woods where I would spend full summer days in. Building forts, climbing trees, cooking hotdogs (yikes!), and sometimes even spending the night.

6) What makes you laugh out loud?

Someone else laughing out loud!

7) What advice do you have for aspiring authors and illustrators?

Write and draw and write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw write and draw. Then do it some more. 
Also, just as important to writing and drawing is READING! Read as much as you can! Read the kind of things you’d like to write or draw.

8) Anything you would like to say to the children who are doing a trail by PopUp StoryWalk?

One foot in front of the other, repeat. Enjoy!!




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