Q&A with Jill Esbaum

 

 

 

Jill Esbaum is the author of the new children's picture book Polecat Has a Superpower. Her many other books include Stinkbird Has a Superpower.  

 

Q: What inspired you to write Polecat Has a Superpower?

 

A: I don’t remember the first time I heard that polecats (spotted skunks) performed an acrobatic stunt just before spraying, but once I did, I knew I’d have to write about it.  I wasn’t sure how until I sold Stinkbird Has a Superpower. When the editor floated the idea of a series, I knew I had a place to use my polecat info. 

 

Q: Why did you choose a porcupine for the second character in the story?

 

A: I’ve always liked porcupines. They’re loners, which makes my animal-loving heart feel a little sorry for them. When Polecat needed a buddy, it seemed like Porcupine nudged me with a Put me in, coach! Plus, I knew Bob Shea would draw a very funny, lovable porcupine.

 

Q: How did you research the book, and what did you learn that especially surprised you?

 

A: Ooh, great question, Deborah. As I often do, I first read as many reputable animal websites as I can … pretty much until the information starts being very repetitive and even, oftentimes, identical. Sites I especially rely on: the San Diego Zoo, Smithsonian Magazine, anything National Geographic, state DNR websites, etc.

 

What did I learn that surprised me? That there are likely polecats living in our farm’s fencerows! Haven’t seen any yet, but it’s exactly the kind of place they’d love to call home.

 

Q: The Kirkus Review of the book says, “Both the narrative and the colorful cartoon illustrations brim with appealing humor.” What do you think of that description, and what do you think Bob Shea's illustrations add to the book?

 

A: “… brim with appealing humor.” That’s pretty much what I’m TRYING to do when I write, so it’s very satisfying to have a reviewer describe the book that way. Bob’s illustrations bring the characters to life in a way beyond anything I could have dreamed up. Their facial expressions and gestures are a hoot. 

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m playing with a nonfiction animal manuscript for toddlers. I like the challenge of trying to let them know important/interesting details, but keeping the vocabulary wholly understandable for them. With an appealing voice, onomatopoeia, playful language, and humor. 

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: The next book in this series, Horned Toad Has a Superpower, will be published next summer. 

 

Meanwhile, I have another 2025 book, It’s Corn Picking Time! (Neal Porter Books, illustrated by Melissa Crowton), available this summer. I don’t know everything about farming, since I’m usually working in my veggie or flower gardens — or in the house, working on manuscripts, but I do know about harvesting corn.

 

That’s because, for those few weeks of the year, I get to be part of the team, driving a tractor, hauling filled wagons from field to farmstead. I had a blast writing about that process for kiddos unfamiliar with it. And I LOVE that farm kids will see themselves in a book in a realistic way.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Jill Esbaum.