Charlotte Gunnufson is the author of the new children's picture book Hard Hat Hank and the Sky-High Solution. Her other books include Dream Submarine. She lives in Iowa.
Q: What inspired you to write Hard Hat Hank and the Sky-High Solution?
A: Kids! Kids love construction and it inspires lots of active and imaginative play. I think humans are hardwired to build!
My oldest son, who is no longer a kid but an engineer, sent me a picture of himself in a hard hat, intensely focused on a problem—and harnessed to the side of a very tall building.
After a moment of I’m-glad-I-didn’t-know-this-was-going-on-while-it-was-going-on, I realized that between a perfect plan and completed construction, problems are going to pop up and people are going to have to work together to solve them.
Q: What do you think Brian Biggs’s illustrations add to the story?
A: Everything! Brian created a canine crew—surprising and super fun—and combined picture book and comic book styles. There are full-spread illustrations as well as pages divided into panels to show progression or extra scenes.
This works really well because the story is action-packed. The book is filled with the delightful details and clues to what might happen next. Kids might even notice that Hank’s hard hat is green!
Q: This book is part of Disney’s Planet Possible series--what do you think the book says about the environment?
A: Hard Hat Hank is about solving problems—even the extra tough ones. Kids are worried about the environment. It’s such a big and sometimes scary problem that kids (and adults) can feel helpless.
Hank and his crew show that if we use our smarts and work together, we can solve extra tough problems, help protect the planet and improve people’s lives. All the books in Disney Planet Possible’s inaugural list are designed to entertain and inspire young readers.
Q: The Publishers Weekly review of the book says, “This buoyant rhyming picture book introduces readers to construction foreman Hank, a black-and white-spotted dog who’s precise, focused, and knows exactly how to handle a range of circumstances...” What do you think of that description?
A: First, I love the word “buoyant!” It’s full of energy, optimism and fun! I think the reviewer’s description of Hank (Brace for the pun!) is spot on. He is very capable and very focused on following the plan. And he does tend to see things in black and white—at least in the beginning.
When Hank’s confronted by really tricky problem, he takes time to think, rethink, and find a brand-new solution, one that actually improves the original plan.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m so lucky to be working on another book for Disney Planet Possible called Eight-Nine-Tengineers which is slated for Spring 2026! It’s about engineers working in various fields who team up to find ways to keep the planet clean and green. The story is written in rhyme and features a new twist on the traditional counting book.
Ana Aranda is creating the illustrations. I’ve gotten a sneak peek, and they’re action-packed and adorable.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I’m a former teacher and love connecting with kids at schools, libraries, bookstores and festivals! Folks can contact me through my website.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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