Q&A with Barbara Lowell

 

 

 

Barbara Lowell is the author of the new children's picture book A Fine Little Bad Boy: Quentin Roosevelt in the White House. Her many other books include My Mastodon. She lives in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

 

Q: Why did you decide to focus on Theodore Roosevelt's son Quentin in your new picture book?

 

A: I grew up in New York on Long Island. One of my favorite places to visit there was Sagamore Hill, Theodore Roosevelt’s home. I’ve always been interested in Roosevelt and his family. I’ve read many books about them.

 

I thought a book about Quentin’s antics in the White House would be fun for kids and also give a glimpse of his special relationship with his father.

 

Q: How did you research Quentin’s life, and what did you learn that especially surprised you?

 

A: I used many primary sources, especially books written by Roosevelt and members of his family. He was a prolific writer. I found his letters, especially the ones to his children, to be very helpful.

 

The Theodore Roosevelt Center at Dickinson State University was invaluable as was the well-researched book The Golden Lad: The Haunting Story of Quentin and Theodore Roosevelt by Eric Burns. A book by Earl Looker, who worked at the White House at the time, was especially helpful too.

 

Quentin was friends with Charles Taft, William Howard Taft’s son. William Howard Taft succeeded Theodore Roosevelt as president. I learned that Quentin was the only member of the Roosevelt family to attend William Howard Taft’s inauguration.  That surprised me!

Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?

 

A: My working title was Quentin, The Littlest Roosevelt. My editor, Amy Novesky, changed the title to A Fine Little Bad Boy based on a quote from Quentin’s mother that is used in the book. The quote represents Edith Roosevelt’s acceptance of her mischievous son’s behavior.

 

Q: What do you think Antonio Marinoni’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: Antonio Marinoni also illustrated my book My Mastodon. The two books have very different styles. Marinoni has action throughout Quentin’s book (the static cover is a bit misleading).

 

I love how he added Quentin’s friends in many places that I had not thought of. For example: “He mashed the lovely White House flowers into the ground wild romping around on stilts.” I had imagined only Quentin doing that. Marinoni has four friends on stilts too.

 

I love how he shows Teddy and Edith’s exasperation with Quentin. He added many clever touches.

 

My favorite illustration is the one of Quentin and his friends splashing around in a White House fountain. Marinoni painted a wonderful portrait of Andrew Jackson covered in spitballs.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I just finished work with two freelance editors on a nature-related nonfiction picture book. I finished research on a nonfiction picture book biography and will begin writing a draft soon. I am also revising another nonfiction picture book biography.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I’m very excited about a nonfiction STEAM book that will be out in 2026. It hasn’t been announced but the illustrator is under contract, and I absolutely love her art.

 

One more thing. A Fine Little Bad Boy is for kids 4-8 years old, not 9-12 years old as Amazon has it listed.

 

Thank you so much, Deborah, for inviting me on your blog!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Barbara Lowell.