Q&A with Kristina Tanso

 

 

 

Kristina Tanso is the author of the new children's picture book Milo and His Magic Skateboard. She also has written the novel Bad Things.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Milo and His Magic Skateboard? Is your character Milo based on your own dog?

 

A: Well, the funny thing is that Milo and His Magic Skateboard wasn’t initially meant to be a book. It was a scrapbook I wanted to make to celebrate what an impact Milo has had on my life.

 

As I began collecting photos and scribbling notes about all the places we’ve been to together, a wonderful narrative emerged. Beyond it being a story of Milo’s journey since I rescued him, it is also a story that highlights different places, incredibly rich cultures and majestic sceneries.

 

It hit me then that this would be a great way to transfer and translate our penchant for discovering the world around us to a young audience, instilling a sense of curiosity for what surrounds us in real life, versus what immerses us digitally.

 

Milo’s skateboarding skills added an element of child-like excitement to the story. Then, all I did was sprinkle some magic on his little skateboard, and Milo and His Magic Skateboard was born.    

Q: How did you choose the locations Milo visits on his skateboard?

 

A: It was really difficult to choose which locations to feature in this book, as we have been fortunate enough to explore many places.

 

I thought of organizing the narrative based on themes, or places in one country, but I ultimately took the chronological approach, to stay true to Milo’s and my story.

 

This approach also helps with the series’ arc, as the upcoming books will show how Milo has grown – both in terms of his personality, his appetite for adventure, his mannerisms, and of course, the subtle ways his face and expressions have changed, as he gotten more confident.

 

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

 

A: I want children to come away from this story curious and excited about the places they recognize, and the places they’ve just learned about. I want to encourage conversations between children and the people reading the story to them, whether it be a family member or a teacher.

 

The other day, my friend’s son read the book and he excitedly pointed out all the places he recognized to the group of adults in front of him. His older sister then joined the group bit later, and they both had a very cute discussion about iconic sites featured in the book, and about skateboarding.

 

Hearing that kind of excitement and dialogue stemming from the book was so cool, and I hope it’s one that is replicated by other readers!

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I am currently working on books 2 and 3 of Milo and His Magic Skateboard! We’ve travelled to a lot of places together, and I can’t wait for you all to see where we go next!

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: You can keep up to date with Milo and me on www.miloandhismagicskateboard.com and on Instagram @KristinaLifeFiltered. Thank you so much for your time!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. This post is in partnership with Kristina Tanso. Enter a giveaway for the opportunity to win a signed hardcover copy of Milo and His Magic Skateboard and a customized sketch of Milo!