Q&A with Stephanie Wildman

 

 

 

Stephanie Wildman is the author, with her 9-year old grandson, Simon Wildman Chung, of the new children's book Story Power!. Wildman's other books include Miri's Moving Day. She is also a law professor emerita.

 

Q: How did you end up co-writing a book with your 9-year-old grandson?

 

A: First, thanks, Deborah, for having me back on your blog!

 

Writing with my grandson Simon was a no-brainer – because the book was his idea! Simon was 7 at the time. I was reading him the first chapter of a middle grade manuscript I was working on in order to get his response. I had warned him it had no pictures, and I wanted to know if he was bored.

 

When I finished, he told me that I “needed more action.” Helpful feedback, right? Then he said, “But Grandma, I have an idea for another Flor, Roberto, and Luis book.”

 

I had thought I was done with those characters after three books, all beautifully illustrated by Estefania Razo. But Simon’s idea – that Flor and Roberto should write a story when they were bored – led to Story Power!. So, of course, he is the co-author – it was his idea and he had very specific thoughts about how the story should unfold.

 

Q: The writer Kari Ann Gonzalez said of the book, “A tribute to the love of storytelling and family connections, Chung and Wildman weave a wonderful tale with sweet siblings Flor, Roberto, and Luis, capturing the joy of putting pen (or crayon) to paper to write your own story and the excitement of using your imagination.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I was so touched by this description because Kari herself has written a wonderful book about storytelling – called How to Hatch a Writer. We talk a lot about the importance of reading with children.

 

Story Power! encourages adults in children’s lives to go a step further and help them develop the writing habit. I’ve written a blog about just that idea: Developing the Writing Habit: The Story behind the Story of Story Power!.

 

Q: What do you think Estefania Razo’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: As you know, picture books are not books without the pictures! I have been so lucky to work with Estefania on now four books, and I love her art.

 

She is the one who brought these characters – Flor, Roberto, and Luis – to life in the first book of the series – Treasure Hunt. And actually, the third book – Ghost Writer – came about because I wanted to write a story about Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. I thought Estefania would have so much fun with the illustrations.

 

One thing I love about my publisher – Lawley Publishing – is that they have an initial Zoom with authors and illustrator to discuss our mutual vision of the book. Simon met Estefania in that zoom, and he was able to explain how he thought the wizard should look like the twins’ grandfather (who we meet at the end of the book).

 

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

 

A: The story that the twins write is Serena Saves the Rainbow, which is a nod to healthy eating habits. It would be great if the book encourages kids to try some new foods. In fact, writing this reminds me that I want to post the recipe for chocolate zucchini cake on my website.

 

But beyond fruits and vegetables, I do hope Story Power! encourages kids and their grown-ups to think more about writing themselves. The back matter guides children through writing a “hero’s journey” type of story. And I hope they all find that writing is FUN!

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I recently took a poetry class. The Sunlight Press had published my first poem (that I had written a while ago). I thought I might take a class and learn more about poetry. So I am writing some poems, which is not unrelated to writing picture books, where every word matters.  And I am still working on a middle grade novel set in San Francisco, mindful that it needs more action.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: For your readers who have gotten this far, I hope they will consider requesting Story Power! from their library. It’s easy to get a library card, and libraries need our support. Libraries are a great way to reach many readers.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Stephanie Wildman.