Interview with Wong Herbert Yee

I am happy to have been given the opportunity to interview Mr. Wong Herbert Yee, the successful artist/author of several children's books. I admire his work, especially his art and lyrical text for "Who Likes the Rain?" and "Tracks in the Snow." His art exhibits such a wide range of styles with special attention to detail. I'm also impressed with his rhyming dialogue and interactive focus. He makes reading so much fun!

Tell me a little about your childhood/background.

I grew up in Detroit with six brothers and sisters. Our elementary school was K-6. At one point, there was a Yee in six of the seven grades. We were also the only Asian family for a time.

Do you have children of your own?
I have a daughter.

What brought you to write books for children?

This is directly related to the previous question. Our weekly visits to the library got me to thinking that this was something I would like to do.

I see that you graduated college with a BFA in Printmaking which is an unusual major (and one that I share with you!). How has your printmaking background helped/hindered your work?

Printmaking is a bit unusual, from the standpoint of making a living. The results are what appealed to me, and the method of working. I liked the ruggedness of it all; how you could scratch, scrape, work and rework an image. I'm referring to intaglio which was my area of concentration in printmaking. I also enjoyed the surprise element, peeling a damp sheet of paper off the printing press. Of course the first book I had published, EEK! There's a Mouse in the House was done in gouache/watercolor. Working with brushes was new. Watercolor is also such a touchy medium. The making of multiples is common to both, allowing affordability and availability.

Do you still create etchings/woodcuts/prints?

No I haven't. After graduating I lived in an upper flat. I set up acid baths in an attic space, non-ventilated to keep working on my prints. The chemicals eventually drove me in a different direction, searching for less toxic ways of making art. Fortunately, enough brain cells survived . . . I think? I did do a linoleum cut sample for my next book, Big Black Bear. I liked the results, but wasn't sure I had enough control. Lately I've been feeling a need to go back in that direction. That would bring me full circle; something I strive for in my writing half.

I love your interactive website. I see that you devote a lot of space for children's play/games, why?

At first the idea of a website was a way to direct teachers inquiring about school visits. After studying other sites I decided it would be nice to add something for the kids, as they are my intended audience.

Describe a "typical" work day.

I rise at 10:00 and mess around on the computer for a bit. I was an artist before becoming a writer. It would be easier for me to stay up to 5:00 am, as opposed to getting up that hour. (I've read some writers get cracking at this time.) If I'm working on illustrations I'll go until 4 or 5 before running out of gas. When doing creative things, 5 hours seems to be my limit. The time spent working is fairly intense, though. I write at anytime and enjoy it because I am not chained to my drawing table.

How many published picture books do you have out?

Works published including picture books, 11; early readers, 7 and boardbooks, 4.

What do you do when you are not reading/writing?

I ride my bike, keeping an eye out for turtles, birds and such. I run; there's a 1/2 marathon on my calendar (first in about twenty years). Avoid chores.

What's the best thing about being an artist/author?

Working out of the house; not driving; having been around to see my daughter come home from school everyday (I've mentioned the morning thing). Actually having control over what you're doing, especially since I write and illustrate.

What is your latest book for 2008?

The third book in the Mouse and Mole series, A Brand New Day with Mouse and Mole.

What can fans expect next from you?

I've been happy wandering in the world of Mouse and Mole. The fourth Mouse and Mole is in the hands of my publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. I've just completed the art. Fine Feathered Friends is due out fall 2009. I'm preparing to submit MM5. Also, I'll be starting work on Summer Days, Summer Night for Henry Holt/Ottaviano, the sequel to Tracks in the Snow and Who Likes Rain?

What advice would you give for beginning children's book artists/authors?

To writers: never ask what you should write about.

To illustrators: pay attention to detail and craftsmanship, don't hog the spotlight.

Knuckleheads

Those knuckleheads in in the White House have nothing to do with this zany picture book by Joan Houlb. So, instead of dwelling on how the economy is fundamentally NOT OK, I read Knuckleheads to my wee ones. And chortled and smirked at its icky silliness.

The digitally rendered illustrations by Michael Slack make these improvised classics, Handsel & Gretel, Handerella, Thumbelina, and Nose White absolutely hilarious. (Then again BeetleJuice is one of my favorite movies.) Yes, it's a bit weird that these characters are hand or feet heads with bodies... Right! Knuckleheads! But that is exactly why this book is so much fun. It reads like a comic book with text bubbles for many of the puns. For example, Handerella's wicked stepsisters are feet and they say, "This is one toe-tapping sock hop. Love that sole music!" "Yeah, and that Prints is no heel. He's totally cute-icle! "

I really like Nose White. She's some kind of PJ Harvey rocker chick that's all Schnoz. The jealous witch wanted her singing career ruined so she gave Nose White a bunch of dandelions. Nose White was allergic and got stopped up. Along came the handsome prince (another Schnoz) who gave her a handkerchief. She blew so hard..."She and the prince wound up on an island somewhere on the Finger Lakes."

If you visit the Chronicle Books website HERE you will find an animated preview of the book as well as some of the inside pages. Knuckleheads will be available in October, just in time for holiday sleep-overs! I was going to end this post with a couple of political Knuckleheads, but decided the Three Stooges were the best Knuckleheads ever.

BUT..... post post, I have to add this link to Becky's Blog on Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories by Jon Scieszka about growing up Scieszka. Who's the best Knucklehead now!!

Amadi's Snowman

I just received this book in the mail from Sarah at Tilbury House Publishers. Tilbury House is a small independent publishing company in Maine that specializes in picture books on cultural diversity, nature and and character/confidence building through real-life stories of children. Thank you Sarah!

Opening Amadi's Snowman brought back a flood of memories like a dream, and I just had to dig up some of my old photos out of storage.

Here's one dated August 1990 from my travels in Africa. I'm preparing dinner (an all day process) with my dear friend Oumi while Ami sings and carries the baby on her back (see his cute little feet by her arms?)

Dimitrea Tokunbo's illustrations truly capture the colors, sights, simplicity and beauty that is Africa. The bright blue sky, warm golden dusty roads, the outdoor marketplace, women cooking and washing with big bowls, gorgeous multi-patterened fabrics... In fact, I had to scan the book cover because I couldn't find any online images bright enough to do Dimitrea's art justice!
Ms. Tokunbo is also a full-time mother of 2, a writer, and a Muralist. I would love to see her colorful murals gracing the gray New York City walls.

The author Katia Novet Saint Lot grew up in Paris and has traveled all over the world. A visit to Nigeria ignited the fire for Amadi's story about a boy who disobeys his mother and skips out on his reading lesson. While playing hookey, he becomes intrigued with a book he finds in the marketplace stall with pictures of a snowman. It is through this book that the door for him opens up with the possibilities of exciting new discoveries through reading. A reminder of how just one little book can change a persons entire life!

Katia's husband works for Unicef and they currently live in India with their 2 daughters. Hmmmm I wonder what book she is working on next? I can only imagine....... and I will definitely try to contact her for an interview as I believe she is one of the most inspiring and amazing picture book authors in these times of global awareness.

October's Slidy Diner

My copy of Wondertime magazine came in the mail a few days ago and I've finally opened it. Of course it's the October issue with all the Halloween ideas. . . But I'm not quite through with Back-to-school just yet! Summer is slipping quickly into fall with the equinox arriving on September 22nd.

I'm not really complaining though because fall is absolutely my most favorite time of year. It's something about the changing sunlight and warm hues of crunchy leaves. The reason I mention Wondertime besides it being the October issue is because Inside the Slidy Diner by Laurel Snyder with illustrations by Jaime Zollars is listed as one of their not-so-scary storybook picks.

Kim and I had the chance to read it at the Tricycle Press Booth at ALA this summer, and we agreed it was like a bad dream, but in a good way. Edie, the little girl inside the Slidy Diner, invites a friend in through the glass door to share in all the weirdness, gross and yucky stuff, as my kids would say, that exists there. (Where's mom when you really need her?) No mom in that diner, only Ethelmae and she's hilariously scary. I remember one part in the book about the waitresses looking good and then they're really all saggy and mean. It reminded me of the haunted house in Disneyland when you go into the hallway and the lovely fair maiden turns into a hideous hag right before your eyes. Jaime Zollars' acrylic paintings are amazing and you can see more art on her site here. This book is a fine pairing of talent and I have to agree with the Wondertime editor that it makes a super not-so-scary Halloween read. BTW one of the other books recommended is Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex who was recently interviewed over at Seven Impossible Things. And here is their interview with Jaime Zollars. Those ladies really cover the good stuff : )

Hurricane Hanna

Hurricane Hanna hasn't even touched down on the east coast of South Carolina and we are already experiencing heavy rainstorms here in Virginia. A stormy week-end is in the forecast with Ike to follow through mid week. Yes, it's officially hurricane season on the east coast and in the gulf, which calls for lots and lots......... and lots of rain.

Who Likes Rain? by Wong Herbert Yee makes for perfect rainy day reading. The illustrations are color-pencil soft and sweet and the hardcover 6x8 size is just right for little hands to hold. The words are lyrical and rhyming and it makes for fun guessing-game reading too : "When it rains, who's the first to scat? I know! Do you? Mew, Mew...." (turn the page) "It's the cat!"

Click on Mr. Yee's Website to watch the cute little woodsy intro and when you enter through the illuminated notebook you can see all of the many books he has written and illustrated. His art portfolio is diverse and I can also tell from the detail in his imagery that he is a master at printmaking as well. He is definately on my list of top 5 authors and illustrators to interview!

Recycled Books

The past weekend we took the girls to the Egyptian Museum in San Jose. Have you ever seen a mummified gazelle, baboon or cat? Among the many artifacts were a couple of human mummies too. My oldest didn't want anything to do with even the word mummy. I suppose that's understandable. Maybe it will be more fascinating when she's older.

Near the museum on the Alameda is a dusty shop called Recycled books. And it's piled high with used books. The sign on the front door says, don't let the cats out. OK then, I had to investigate the kids' books and walk sideways through the front door.

Here's what I found:

A first edition hardcover signed copy of Fritz and the Mess Fairy by Rosemary Wells. I wonder who "Michael & Meredith" were? Well I have their book now. We are big fans of Max and Ruby and really anything by the great Rosemary Wells.



A library-bound copy (in new condition) of, The Genie in the Jar by Nikki Giovanni and illustrated by Chris Raschka. It was probably in new condition because most elementary school kids wouldn't really get Giovanni's rhythmic poem, but Raschka's illustrations are to melt over.


The day after our museum adventure was pretty uneventful except that the Lutheran Church near our house had a book fair, and I like a treasure hunt. So, here's what I found for all of $1.80:



A discarded library hardcover of Happy Hanukah Everybody by Hyman and Alice Chanover with illustrations by Maurice Sendak. This book is in very good condition. Could it be that Hanukah books are not as popular as Christmas books in our little agricultural town? Kim this book is a gift for you. It's classic Sendak. That little fuzzy bear looks like it's ready to jump right out of the picture. Oh and it reminds me of New York in the winter.


A 1967 hardcover edition of Tasha Tudor's illustrated First Poems of Childhood with a slight old book smell but otherwise in excellent condition. And mom this one's for you because I know how much you love Tasha Tudor. You may already have it???? It's pure Tudor sweetness.


And lastly, because it's so quirky, I brought home a little Scholastic paperback from 1968 called, A Tiny Family by Norman Bridwell. It's still in print as a level 1 Reader but the newer edition is now colorized and a different, standardized size.

Well, that was my lucky Labor Day weekend. You never know what you'll find at a church fundraiser or dusty used book store because there's always some lost book waiting to be found and read again. Kind of like a mummified cat isn't it?

Phooey!

There are some days, like today, that I feel just like the character in this book. When "nothing ever happens around here!" except the usual mundane changing diapers, doing dishes, folding laundry, cleaning spills, paying bills.................it's so routine, it's "boring."

Phooey! by Marc Rosenthal is a reminder to wake up and see how "Great" the world is around us. Step outside of the box and see how everything is constantly in flux and history is being made (even as I change a diaper!)

Just like how everything about this Presidential election is completely unusual and unpredictable. After the wonderful long Labor Day weekend, children are back in school and we are back to work, work work.... all the while History is being made and changes are in the air.

So thank you Marc Rosenthal for reminding me that "This Place Is Great!"