Stephen W. Martin is the author of the new children's picture book Fluffy McWhiskers Crunchazaur Kaboom. His other books include Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion. He lives in Los Angeles.
Q: What inspired this new story about Fluffy McWhiskers?
A: My absolute love of Japanese monster movies, especially Godzilla. It was three years ago that myself and my wife were in Tokyo on a vacation, and I saw the giant Godzilla above the TOHO building - that’s when the idea for Fluffy 2 popped into my head!!
Q: What do you think Dan Tavis’s illustrations add to the book?
A: I could not ask for a better partner in cuteness, destruction, and kabooms! Dan’s art brings so much energy, comedy, and emotion to my words. He is able to create so many little moments of comedy on each and every panel!
In this new book, I find myself looking all over the page at all the jokes and references he manages to pack in and hide - it’s amazing!!! Dan also understands comedic timing like no other; he really packs that page turn with so much power and suspense. I’m so lucky to have him as a partner.
Q: The Kirkus Review of the book says, “Reader beware, you just might explode…with laughter.” What do you think of that assessment?
A: I LOVED IT!!! we really tried to up the stakes in this book! I didn’t want to just do a repeat of the first book, or maybe an origin story of Potato… I wanted to present Fluffy with a real problem and, of course, up the Kabooms as well!
Q: What do you hope kids take away from the story?
A: That even when adults or people in authority ask you to do something, if it doesn’t feel right or doesn’t sit well with you…. Trust that feeling!
We all know that feeling when you’re asked to do something that you don’t want to do, but you feel you have to. Trust yourself and say No or figure out a solution that you feel good about, that doesn’t make you change who you are.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: A secret comic book for kids. It’s a detective story because well I LOVE detective stories …. CHUNG CHUNG (law and order sound) and…. Maybe a Fluffy Christmas story!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Yes - dill pickle popcorn is the best popcorn. That is all.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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