Tuvia Dikman Oro is the author of the new children's picture book But Perhaps, Just Maybe.... He lives in the Galilee.
Q: What inspired you to write But Perhaps, Just Maybe...?
A: The good answer would be reading in Pirkei Avot, but the full answer would be that although I was reading in Pirkei Avot, one evening as I was washing the dishes (as usual) and hummed to myself (as usual), the duck in my head (don’t ask) began to grumble in his amusing voice about all sorts of things that happened that day.
I thought to myself it would be funny if that duck had a friend who would suggest some really farfetched answers for the things that annoy the duck and in the end it would be revealed that all these farfetched things are in fact reality. It made me laugh and I started making up all kinds of such scenarios until I felt like it could turn into a funny story.
Q: How did you decide on the animals to include in the story?
A: Well, duck is a duck (is a duck), and is certainly influenced by the genius Daffy Duck of Looney Tunes. As for the hedgehog - I have great love for this delicate and prickly animal and it already appears in some stories I have written. I love the contrast between the inner softness and the outer pungency.
Afterwards, I simply let my imagination come up with suggestions with regards to the rest of the characters and the characters I liked remained (I must admit, Mrs. Hoopoe the bike repairer surprised me the most).
Q: What do you think Menahem Halberstadt’s illustrations add to the book?
A: I think that the most significant thing about Menahem’s illustrations is that they are very beautiful, pleasant, and on top of all, bring about happiness. They don’t try to appear overly complicated, while conveying a feeling that the world is a soft, pleasant, and overall positive place to be in. This is something that I really appreciate and I think this feeling should generally be strengthened throughout the world.
Besides that, I like that a very welcoming feeling arises from the illustrations. There’s an invitation to enter the story’s world.
Q: What do you hope kids take away from the story?
A: I hope that the story will amuse them, perhaps even surprise them a little. I hope that the hedgehog won’t annoy them too much (he really tries not to be annoying, but sometimes he can’t help it). I also hope that they will feel amicable compassion towards the duck.
After all, all of us have a bit of that duck in us.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: It’s already a while since I began working on a crazy adventure book for kids. The story tells of a group of very special friends who ended up on a peculiar yet wonderful lonely island with an abundance of crazy and exciting adventures that are completely out of this world.
I really enjoy working on this book and I hope it will be ready soon.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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