Kallie George is the author of the new children's picture book The Wishing Leaf. Her many other books include the Heartwood Hotel series. She lives in British Columbia.
Q: What inspired you to write The Wishing Leaf?
A: I was working on some short stories about animals, and this one rose to the top as my favorite and seemed like it might be better as a picture book! I started to revise it as such.
Also, I live tucked in the woods where there are lots of trees and bears too! One of my favorite fall tasks is actually raking up leaves, and I often daydream of story ideas when I'm working outside or hiking!
Q: What do you think Paola Zakimi’s illustrations add to the book?
A: Her art is incredible. It captures the cozy season and especially the emotions of the characters. I love the color palette! There are also so many mini stories going on in the images. I love how you can discover what the other animals wished for at the very end!
Q: Why did you decide on a bear for the main character?
A: A bear felt like the perfect character because it's a story about those last days of fall, before winter and sleep, and bears are known for their hibernations!
Q: What do you hope kids take away from the story?
A: Bear is patient throughout this story as he waits for the last leaf to fall and make his wish, and he's able to be patient because (without really realizing it) he finds fun ways to pass the time.
It's SO hard to wait and be patient, and I hope this book helps kids realize that waiting can seem to go by faster if you find fun things to do.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I'm working on more of my Heartwood Hotel series. It's an early chapter book series that also features animals, particularly Mona the mouse. Book 5, Family Forever, is coming out in September, and I'm currently working on Book 6, A Brave Beginning.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I love how the case image is different from the jacket! It takes a team to make a book come together, and everyone took so much care with this book, which I'm very grateful for.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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