Q&A with Meredith Rusu

 

 

 

Meredith Rusu is the author of the new children's picture book There's a Robot in My Socks. Her many other books include There's a Yeti in My Tummy. She lives in New Jersey.

 

Q: What inspired you to write There’s a Robot in My Socks, and how did you create your character Jamie?

 

A: I was inspired to write the story by my two sons and seeing how change in routine challenged them (and me!) in the preschool years. My younger son especially struggled with separation anxiety.

 

I was always so grateful for both sets of grandparents and the lengths they would go to make sure the boys felt safe, happy, and comfortable when Mom and Dad couldn’t be there.

 

Things at Grandma and Grandpa’s house might have been different, but they had a way of encouraging the boys to find excitement in the change! Jamie is very much a combination of both my boys.

 

Q: This is the second in your Mighty Moods series--what do you see as the relationship between this book and There’s a Yeti in My Tummy?

 

A: Little kids have so many big feelings, and each child is different in how they express them. I love being able to explore the way kids personify and resonate with those big feelings through the larger-than-life characters in each Mighty Moods story!

 

Ultimately, the goal of the Mighty Moods series is to give kids and caretakers a fun opportunity to explore those big feelings together, whether it’s Yetis or Robots or . . . more to come!

Q: What do you think Martín Morón’s illustrations add to this new story?

 

A: Martín’s illustrations bring the story to life. Simply put, Martín gets it. He understands the zany fun behind these “joyfully chaotic” early childhood situations, and his artwork is just bursting with that joy.

 

I’m constantly in awe of finding all the little details and nuances he adds to help readers connect with the characters and the world. His artwork adds heart to the story in a perfect way.

 

Q: What do you hope kids (and adults) take away from the book?

 

A: I hope kids and adults take away fun and laughter from the book as well as a chance to connect over their shared big feelings. We all have robots of our own that come out in different ways.

 

My hope is that young readers will resonate with Jamie’s robot and feel inspired to talk about their own emotions with their grownup.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: The third book in the Mighty Moods series is coming next year (stay tuned!) I also have many new licensed books coming out, including a junior novel adaptation of the upcoming feature film Red One. And I have a picture book about a little boy learning to play chess coming out in Fall 2025.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I love to keep in touch with my readers! Please follow me on Instagram at @meredithrusuwrites for news and event updates or drop me a message on my website, www.meredithrusu.com.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Meredith Rusu.