QUESTIONS WITH KEVAN ATTEBERRY

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!!




​

---