Joren Cull is the author and illustrator of the new children's picture book I Am Book.
Q: What inspired you to create I Am Book, and how was the book’s title chosen?
A: I started working on I Am Book over 10 years ago. The initial idea was to create something that spoke directly to the reader. That connection was the initial spark. Back then it was called “I Am a Book.”
Over the years, the story evolved from that initial concept into what it is today. The title is referenced in the book itself and was meant to draw comparisons to both Book, the title character, and the reader.
Q: The Publishers Weekly review of the book said, “Narrated in rigorous rhyme by a jaunty yellow tome, Cull’s self-referential work explores confidence and fitting in at a new school.” What do you think of that description, and what do you hope kids take away from the story?
A: That’s nice, I guess! I think Book would advise not to take too much into a review, though--that goes for the good ones and the bad ones.
The moral of the story is to like who you are and not try to change to fit into a mould that others would like more—sort of a be-yourself type thing. I hope they take that away with them. If something in the book makes them smile, that’d be great too.
Q: What do you think the book says about reading?
A: I think the book is more about emotions and socializing than reading. I guess they would hopefully like reading more after reading the book because they liked it? But the book isn’t a comment on reading, not to me anyways.
Q: Did you work on the text first or the illustrations first--or both simultaneously?
A: I write the words first and then illustrate. Sometimes I’ll make a few sketches when the idea strikes. It’s pretty collaborative.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: A new book called Lap Cat! Not sure when it’s coming out but sometime soon!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I eat dinner at 5 p.m. most days.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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