Stephen G. Bowling is the author of the new children's picture book Winslow Scarecrow: Scarecrows Are Supposed to Be Scary. His other books include Grandma's House is Haunted. He is also an entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Q: What inspired you to write Winslow Scarecrow, and how did you create your character Winslow?
A: The story came from hearing a few sentences on the radio. I was listening to a radio program and the hosts were talking about scarecrows, I don’t recall why but I believe it was around Halloween.
As they bantered about, one said she didn’t like scary scarecrows and the other host responded jokingly, saying “Scarecrows are supposed to be scary! Their job is to scare crows!”
It struck me, and I thought it might make a fun story. What if a scarecrow disagreed? What if he didn’t want to be scary, could he still do his job? From that, the story and Winslow were born.
Q: What do you think Vitali Dudarenka’s illustrations add to the story?
A: Vitali and I make a great team, and I absolutely love working with him. He is a tremendously talented artist and a true illustrator, and I am fortunate to have him illustrate the books. We work very well together. He seems to know what's in my head. I am always amazed when he sends me the first drafts of his illustrations.
Vitaly brings the written story to life. He creates a visual world that envelops you. When children look at a book illustration, they dive into it, they live it as only young imaginations can.
Vitaly supplies incredibly rich detail in every illustration that allows children to explore and experience the story. As a writer, creating new worlds is a lot of fun, seeing Vitali bring my words to life is a thrill.
We have seven scarecrows in the Winslow Scarecrow book. Vitaly gives them each a unique personality through their expressions and the clothes they wear.
Q: As an entrepreneur and philanthropist, do you see those careers overlapping at all with your books?
A: In many ways, yes. Writing books for children can help them understand a vexing world through stories. Writing in rhyming verse helps young children understand the concept of language. And reading stories with friendly and nice characters can have a positive influence on children.
I work with high school students to help foster critical and analytical thinking, freedom of thought, and the ability to have a discussion in which you can disagree and still be agreeable. It teaches students that you can disagree and still be friends. Our discussions are based on reasoning.
My new book Winslow Scarecrow incorporates some of that work. The main character listens to what everyone has to say, then thinks through the issue. He proposes a solution using logic and reason that makes everyone happy and remain friends. While the concept is more subtle in the story, I believe it has a positive influence.
Q: What do you hope kids take away from the story?
A: My first goal when I write is to create a story that is enjoyable for children (and parents) to read or have read to them. A takeaway usually develops on its own as I write the story, evolving through friendly and kind characters.
I believe Winslow Scarecrow is a fun story for kids. It deals with settling conflicts among friends. Winslow wants to be friendly to the crows and invites them to land on his arms to rest.
Some of the other scarecrows get upset reminding him that they cannot be friendly because their job is to scare crows, it’s even in their name. If they are friendly, they can’t do their jobs.
Winslow listens to the concerns of the other scarecrows, thinks through the problem, and formulates a solution. The takeaway is about resolving conflict, listening to the concerns of others, and using reason to think through and solve a problem. Using reason, to me, is an important skill for children to acquire, as it is for all of us.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: Vitali is working on the illustrations for a children’s book I wrote about Mr. Foulweather, a man who yells at the Moon. It is an enjoyable story for children that involves loneliness and friendship.
The next book I am writing is for younger children. A story about singing fruit flies… because everyone knows fruit flies love to sing. I am working on a sci-fi novel as well, for adult readers.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I write mostly in rhyming verse which children seem to enjoy. My Christmas book, Calvin the Christmas Tree, is my only children’s book I wrote as yet not in rhyming verse.
If anyone is interested they can get free children’s activity pages on my website - www.StephenGBowling.com
--Interview with Deborah Kalb. This post was created in partnership with Stephen G. Bowling. Enter this contest for a chance to win one of six prizes! Four people will win a paperback of Winslow Scarecrow: Scarecrows are Supposed to be Scary and two lucky winners will win the grand prize of Winslow Scarecrow, Grandma’s House is Haunted, and Calvin the Christmas Tree!
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