Interview Questions about the Aquitaine Reluctant Reader Series:
• What are the challenges of writing children's illustrated books?
Writing children’s illustrated books requires text
that suggests a picture to the artist. The artist’s picture then must
illuminate the child’s curiosity to read further, finally, to complete the
book.
Illustrated books are a challenge even if you are
not an illustrator. The writer must write text that suggests pictures to the
illustrator. These young adult “picture books” I’ve chosen to write are
nonfiction and use photographs for illustrations.
• What is unique that you have discovered when you were writing "The
Aquitaine Reluctant Reader Series"?
This series is a “picture book” for young adults,
who for a multitude of reasons, do not like to read. They can read, they just
think they have better, more interesting things to do.
These books are geared to the Common Core standards
for Grades 9 to 12. By reading these books, students will receive an
introduction to the topics and be prepared to begin the study of the topic in
their classes. Sources for further study are included in each book.
• Why did you want to write for the reluctant reader?
The
reluctant reader is an underserved population in schools, especially high
schools, which assume students are interested and will spend the time necessary
to read assignments. Not so; they need material that is closely aligned to
their school curriculum, most usually prescribed by the Common Core, which is
presented in an interesting format, especially copiously illustrated with
graphs, side bars and photographs. These books are based on the old adage, “A
picture is worth a thousand words”. The information is presented in short,
easy-to-read, segments.
• What are your key messages?
The key message in this
entire series is reading can be entertaining AND informative, even fun.
• Which other characters have you crafted that you like the most?
These books are not character driven, they present
information in a concise, illustrative format; in other words, they are
nonfiction.
• Why and when did you begin writing?
I began writing
seriously as an undergraduate (English Education major) and have written many
scientific articles for nonscientists. I specialize in “science for the
public”, concentrating on animals, wildlife and natural phenomena.
• Who influenced you the most in your life as a children's book writer?
I attended a session on writing for children presented by
Kathleen Kudlinski, a renowned children’s writer, which gave me the impetus to
begin writing for children.
www.reluctant-reader.net
