Category: Interview

Interview: Carmen Oliver on Emails, Bears & a Simpler Life

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Carmen OliverIt’s a great thrill to have an interview with Carmen Oliver this month. Not only is she the founder of The Booking Biz, working tirelessly behind the scenes to match speakers and audiences and help organize wonderful author visits, she’s a fantastic author and speaker in her own right. This year, Carmen’s launching two new books: the nonfiction picture book A VOICE FOR THE SPIRIT BEARS: HOW ONE BOY INSPIRED MILLIONS TO SAVE A RARE ANIMAL, illustrated by Katy Dockrill, and BEARS MAKE THE BEST MATH BUDDIES, illustrated by Jean Claude, a followup to her popular BEARS MAKE THE BEST READING BUDDIES. SPIRIT BEARS arrives May 7 from Kids Can Press, and MATH BUDDIES will be available on July 1 from Capstone. Find these and more upcoming books here.

What does Carmen do in her day? We asked… Continue reading “Interview: Carmen Oliver on Emails, Bears & a Simpler Life” →

Interview: Lesa Ransome-Cline and James Ransome on Dancing, History and Dolphins

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Lesa Ransome, Author, James Ransome, Ilustrator Artisit
Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome

This month, The Booking Biz is interviewing a couple who are as brilliant individually as they are together. Lesa Ransome-Cline is the award-winning author of numerous biographies, including the GAME CHANGERS: THE STORY OF VENUS AND SERENA WILLIAMS and JUST A LUCKY SO AND SO: THE STORY OF LOUIS ARMSTRONG, the historical picture book LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS: A STORY ABOUT HOW SLAVES LEARNED IN SECRET, and the verse biography BEFORE SHE WAS HARRIET, which was nominated for an NAACP image award. Her debut middle-grade novel, FINDING LANGSTON, received five starred reviews and was listed on three best-of lists for 2018. Continue reading “Interview: Lesa Ransome-Cline and James Ransome on Dancing, History and Dolphins” →

Interview: William Alexander on Board Games, Neoteny and Dino-Bear Princesses

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William Alexander
William Alexander

Author William Alexander has earned numerous awards for his middle-grade novels, including the National Book Award for GOBLIN SECRETS in 2012. A teacher for the acclaimed Master of Fine Arts program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the University of Vermont. His latest middle-grade series, A PROPERLY UNHAUNTED PLACE and A FESTIVAL OF GHOSTS, received praise from Publishers Weekly, The New York Times and a starred review from Kirkus for the first book.

What’s behind all these wonderful stories? We asked… Continue reading “Interview: William Alexander on Board Games, Neoteny and Dino-Bear Princesses” →

Interview: R.W. “Bob” Alley and Zoë B. Alley on Lunch, Children and Shampoo

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R.W. “Bob” Alley and Zoë B. Alley are a powerhouse couple in kidlit, charming children with beautiful illustrations and fun stories. Bob is the illustrator for the much-loved Paddington Bear books, and together they’ve created the nursery tale retelling picture books THERE’S A WOLF AT THE DOOR and THERE’S A PRINCESS IN THE PALACE.

What makes them work so well together? We’re tickled to have a joint interview with the creators. Read on… Continue reading “Interview: R.W. “Bob” Alley and Zoë B. Alley on Lunch, Children and Shampoo” →

Interview: Kathi Appelt on Coffee, Freedom and Cowgirls

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Kathi AppeltAward-winning author Kathi Appelt has written books that are loved by children of all ages — including adults who are adventurous enough to venture into the kidlit sections of bookstores. Kathi has written about dogs, foxes, bats and babies, swamps, oceans, bayous and deserts. And her books have earned her numerous national and state awards, including her well-known debut novel THE UNDERNEATH, which was a National Book Award Finalist, a Heart of Harwick Children’s Book Award finalist, a Newbery Honor Book, and received the Pen USA Award. We know her through her stories, but what’s she like in the real world? She let us know… Continue reading “Interview: Kathi Appelt on Coffee, Freedom and Cowgirls” →

Interview: Liz Garton Scanlon on Traveling, Ideas and Horses

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Liz Garton Scanlon
Liz Garton Scanlon

Liz Garton Scanlon is the author of numerous award-winning picture books, including the Caldecott Honor ALL THE WORLD and the hilarious BOB, NOT BOB, which she co-authored with Audrey Vernick. Liz is also the author of the middle-grade novel THE GREAT GOOD SUMMER, with more to come for this age group. She’s known for her poetic writing style and delightful storytelling. Where does she find her ideas? We wanted to find out… Continue reading “Interview: Liz Garton Scanlon on Traveling, Ideas and Horses” →

Interview: Jessixa Bagley on Work, Family, and Hamburgers

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Jessixa Bagley took the kidlit world by storm with her debut picture book, BOATS FOR PAPA, which wowed readers and won numerous awards. Since then, she hasn’t stopped, with LAUNDRY DAY receiving the Ezra Jack Keats Honor for picture book writing. How does she balance her creativity with the rest of her life? We asked her…

Booking Biz: What does your average day look like?

Continue reading “Interview: Jessixa Bagley on Work, Family, and Hamburgers” →

Interview: Lamar Giles on Coffee, Videogames, and “The Important Stuff”

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Lamar Giles
Lamar Giles

Lamar Giles likes to keep you on your toes. The Edgar Award-nominated author and founder of We Need Diverse Books writes novels about teens in trouble, thrillers involving blackmail, conspiracy and murder. But what keeps him on his toes? We wanted to know… Continue reading “Interview: Lamar Giles on Coffee, Videogames, and “The Important Stuff”” →

Interview: Molly Burnham on Mornings, Pets, and Ice Cream Sundaes

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Molly B. Burnham
Molly B. Burnham

Author Molly Burnham knows funny. In 2016, she won the Sid Fleischman Humor Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. So where does the creator of the Teddy Mars series of books find her funny? We wanted to get to know her better. Continue reading “Interview: Molly Burnham on Mornings, Pets, and Ice Cream Sundaes” →