Q&A with Rajani LaRocca

 

 

Rajani LaRocca is the author of the new children's picture book Fall Is for Beginnings. Her many other books include Summer Is for Cousins. She is also a physician, and she lives in Massachusetts. 

 

Q: What inspired you to write Fall Is for Beginnings, and why did you return to your character Ravi in this new book?

 

A: After working with [illustrator] Abhi [Alwar] on Summer Is for Cousins, I was hoping to do another book together.

 

I thought about what might happen after the events of Summer, and my mind jumped to a back-to-school story. I wanted to capture the excitement of a new school year and seeing old friends. And I thought it might be fun to explore a new friendship with someone who is a little challenging.

 

Q: What do you think Abhi Alwar’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: Abhi is SO incredibly talented! I love that her illustrations blend the frenetic energy of childhood with very sweet and relatable characters.

 

There’s a spread with diagonal lines through it that shows a series of events over time and mirrors a similar spread in Summer Is for Cousins; it’s one of my absolute favorites.

 

Also, don’t miss out on the art on the jacket case — it’s such a sweet scene and one of the loveliest parts of the book!

 

For Fall, Abhi had to create an entire classroom full of kids, and she pulled it off spectacularly. She created many of the characters for both books based on people she knows in her life . . . and I even make a cameo in the book!

 

Q: The Kirkus Review of the book called it an “emotionally honest and lovingly rendered take on the highs and lows of friendship.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I’m truly honored by this statement by the Kirkus reviewer. Even when I write fiction, my goal is always to tell emotional truths. Friendship can be challenging to navigate, especially when you’re a kid . . . and I wanted to put that on the page.

 

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the story?

 

A: I hope kids feel like this book is a celebration of fall and all that it brings in terms of school, weather, holidays, and friendships, both old and new.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m finishing up final edits on my first YA novel, Such Great Heights, which is coming in Summer 2026! In addition to three picture books coming next year, I’ve got other books in the works for 2027 and beyond.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: There are going to be two more books in this series, Winter Is for Adventure and Spring Is for Growing! I’m so excited to continue Ravi’s story through all the seasons.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Rajani LaRocca.