Cathy Stefanec Ogren is the author of the new children's picture book The Little Red Chair. Her other books include the picture book PEW!.
Q: You say in the book that The Little Red Chair was inspired by a friend’s chair--can you say more about that?
A: I first became acquainted with the little red chair at my lifelong friend’s Victorian home. I was charmed by it. My friend discovered the chair in the window of an antique shop. She bought it and had it reupholstered in red fabric. It stood in her living room for many years.
When my friend and her husband decided to relocate to Florida, they had a huge estate sale. Like the little red chair in the book, it patiently waited for someone to buy it and take it home. When my daughter saw the chair, she knew she had to have it. It now sits in her home where her children love to sit and read.
Each time I saw that little chair, I felt it had a story to tell. Its unique size and shape proved to be a perfect place for children and adults to have a cozy place to sit. Seeing my grandchildren’s reaction to the chair reinforced my belief that the sweet little chair with its squeaky brass wheels wanted to be heard. And so, the story of The Little Red Chair began…
Q: How would you describe the relationship between your character Mia and the chair?
A: When my daughter was young, she had a cloth doll that she loved to pieces. (I mended it many times.) It gave her comfort and a sense of security. That’s how I would describe the relationship between Mia and the little chair.
Mia loves the chair. In return, the chair fluffs its tuffs, squeaks its wheels, and gives Mia a cushy place to sit, read, daydream, celebrate, and take her on wild rides which makes both happy. Squeakity-whee!
Q: What do you think Alexandra Thompson’s illustrations add to the story?
A: I was blessed to have Alexandra Thompson, an amazing illustrator, chosen to bring my words to life. My editor agreed to my request to have the little red chair in the book look like the original chair. I took pictures and measurements of the chair and sent them to my editor who passed them on to Alexandra.
Her illustrations are captivating. With each page turn, they charm and delight. Alexandra captured the special relationship between Mia and the little red chair, allowing readers the opportunity to see and feel the emotional connection between the two.
Q: The Kirkus Review of the book says, in part, “Just as Hans Christian Andersen brought to life an evergreen tree, the author does a fine job revealing the innermost thoughts of a chair. (Though, unlike Andersen’s tale, this one ends happily.)” What do you think of that comparison?
A: When I read the review, I was flattered. Imagine my writing being compared to Hans Christen Andersen! When I was young, I was hooked on Andersen’s fairy tales. He was able to spin stories that had an emotional impact and a subtle life lesson.
I hope readers of The Little Red Chair relate to the chair’s inner thoughts and feelings and have an emotional connection to it as I did with Andersen’s stories.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m in the process of revising a manuscript that editors passed on. I’m sure the following comments that I received will resonate with many authors. Comments like – “there’s a lot to like, but…, I don’t have a vision for this, it isn’t grabbing me, it’s sweet, but not for me, too quiet.”
Keeping these words in mind, I’m diligently working to spice up my manuscript and make it stand out in the competitive world of children’s publishing.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I’m thrilled to announce The Little Red Chair is a finalist in the fiction picture book category of the 2024 CYBILS Awards.
Be on the lookout for a new picture book in the fall of 2026. That’s all I can tell you for now, but if you like The Little Red Chair, I think the forthcoming book will have you wishing for more.
Make sure to check out my author website: https://cathystefanecogren.com/
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
Thank you, Deborah, for hosting me on your blog.
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