Author Interviews – Page 5

The Big Tournament: An Interview with Illustrator Mathilde Van Gheluwe

Embark on a thrilling, delicious journey in The Big Tournament! Magda, a twelve-year-old chef earns a place in the prestigious Intergalactic Cooking Tournament with her exceptional dishes. The stakes of this tournament are much higher than a trophy: Nectar—a world-healing substance—is on the line. But during the tournament, Magda uncovers a galaxy-spanning conspiracy, and now it’s up to her to thwart an intergalactic political plot. Can this messy yet kind-hearted young chef whip up a recipe to save the galaxy?

Today illustrator Mathilde Van Gheluwe joins us to share the origins of this uniquely inventive and exhilarating sci-fi world, the technical challenges of its creation, and more. Keep reading for an exclusive preview!

Author Interviews

The Pecan Sheller: An Interview with Author Lupe Ruiz-Flores

Set in 1930s San Antonio, The Pecan Sheller follows thirteen-year-old Petra whose aspirations are put on hold after her father’s death leaves her caring for younger siblings and supporting her struggling stepmother. Forced to leave school, Petra endures grueling conditions as she works in a pecan-shelling factory. When tragedy strikes due to the unhealthy environment and slashed wages, Petra and her coworkers go on strike—risking everything for the hope of a better future.

Today author Lupe Ruiz-Flores joins us to share what inspired this book, her personal connection to this history, and insights into her writing process and personal interests. Read on to download the free discussion guide!

Author Interviews

Sharks Unhooked: An Interview with Author Patricia Newman

Some people are scared of sharks, but not Cristina Zenato. Sharks Unhooked: The Adventures of Cristina Zenato, Underwater Ranger is the true story of how one woman is exploring the ocean, helping our ecosystem, and forming incredible bonds with animals beneath the rolling surf. Cheerful illustrations by Becca Hall round out this riveting picture book with a strong environmental message.

Today author Patricia Newman joins us to share how she discovered Cristina’s story, her own snorkeling experience, and more. Read on to watch the official book trailer!

Author Interviews

Design Thinking: An Interview with Author Fred Estes

Got a problem that needs solving? All you need is six steps and a little creative thinking. Design Thinking: A Guide to Innovation by Fred Estes is a examines each step—notice and reflect, empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test—and provides case studies to illustrate how design thinking can create a more human-centered, equitable world.

Today author Fred Estes joins us to share why design thinking is important in the modern world, how he selected which stories and projects would appear in the book, how to use Design Thinking in the classroom, and more!

Author Interviews

The Red Car to Hollywood: An Interview with Author Jennie Liu

Step into the vibrant, drama-filled era of early Hollywood in The Red Car to Hollywood, where 16-year-old Ruby Chan is in a tough spot following the revelation of her secret relationship with a white boy to her traditional Chinese parents. Her parents hire a matchmaker in an effort to protect their reputation, but Ruby is determined to thwart their plans. She befriends 19-year-old film star Anna May Wong, who defies Chinese conventions and challenges stereotypes. Inspired by Anna May, Ruby seeks to forge her own path amidst danger and betrayal while discovering how others perceive her and how she sees herself.

Today author Jennie Liu joins us to delve into the inspirations behind the book, spotlight her main characters, and explore the challenges of writing and research during the pandemic. Keep reading to download the free discussion guide!

Author Interviews

Dreams to Ashes: An Interview with Author Livia Blackburne and Illustrator Nicole Xu

Dreams to Ashes: The 1871 Los Angeles Chinatown Massacre is a powerful nonfiction picture book full of both heartbreak and hope. In the late 1800s LA was more small town than city, with a total population under six thousand. Newspapers routinely published anti-Chinese rhetoric, and when a conflict broke out between two mutual aid societies, a mob gathered in response. The ensuing overnight massacre left eighteen Chinese men dead as their dreams for their future turned to ashes.

New York Times bestselling author Livia Blackburne and illustrator Nicole Xu bring this essential moment in American history to picture book readers. Today both are here to share their experience crafting the story for a young audience.

Author Interviews

I’m a Dumbo Octopus: An Interview with Author and Illustrator Anne Lambelet

Jump into an underwater tour of the whole cephalopod class with Grimpy the dumbo octopus! He knows all about what makes these saltwater-dwelling, many-armed invertebrates so special. But when Grimpy gets caught up in everything his kind of octopus can’t do, the other cephalopods decide to show him why it’s great to be a dumbo.

I’m a Dumbo Octopus : A Graphic Guide to Cephalopods is filled with special cephalopod characters like cuttlefish, nautiluses, octopuses, and squids. Debut graphic novelist Anne Lambelet joins us today to share how she began her journey as an author and illustrator, why marine life fascinates her so much, and more! Keep reading for a sneak peek into the book.

Author Interviews

The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie: An Interview with Author Radhika Sanghani

What if you always had to tell the truth? Author Radhika Sanghani explores this question in the humorous and heartfelt middle grade novel The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie. Priya frequently bends the truth to keep her friends, family, and gymnastics coach happy. But when she gets her beloved late grandmother’s bangle stuck on her wrist, she finds herself incapable of telling a lie.

Today Radhika joins us to share the inspiration behind the story, her favorite characters, and more. Keep reading to find a free downloadable discussion guide!

Author Interviews

Kahoʻolawe: An Interview with Author Kamalani Hurley

In the middle of the great Pacific Ocean sits a little island. Her name is Kanaloa Kaho‘olawe. This is the smallest Hawaiian island, sacred to Native Hawaiians. Kahoʻolawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People shares the island’s history from its formation long ago to its present-day restoration as a protected site, highlighting hope, resilience, and aloha ‘āina (deep love of the land).

Today we are joined by author Kamalani Hurley as she speaks on the inspiration for the book, surprising research, and more! Read on to find a pronunciation guide and pictures from the book launch at Native Books in Honolulu, Hawaii.