Q&A with Shelley Tougas

 

 

 

Shelley Tougas is the author of the children's picture book Mommy's New Friend. Her other books include Laura Ingalls Is Ruining My Life. She is also a library director.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Mommy's New Friend?

 

A: Two things. I've always wanted to write a story in second person. I played with “you” language, and it instantly sounded like the voice of a kindergartner. I adore the humor of kids that age. Accidental humor, right? They're most funny when they're not trying to be funny.

 

The second thing is my own experience with divorce when my daughter was in kindergarten. My ex-husband and I were starting new lives, which is difficult for a child to process. We made a commitment to building a different kind of family with our daughter at its center.

 

I wanted to write a book for kids (and perhaps parents) that showed a child's struggle with a monumental transition she had no means to control. Even though Lily's life was changing, she still had two parents who loved and cared for her. And change, even when it's hard, can bring good things into your life.

 

Q: What do you think Sara Palacios’s illustrations add to the story?

 

A: Sara's illustrations have incredible energy. Lily is an active, silly kid with big feelings; and Sara makes her personality bounce off the page.

 

The humor in the text and illustrations have to work together, and ultimately that task falls to the illustrator because the author's work is primarily done. Sara doesn't just translate words into images; she translates subtext. She's a wizard!

 

Q: The Kirkus Review of the book said, “An ideal book for families...to show children that while it’s OK to feel a range of emotions, it’s also important to make room for new family members.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: The review was thrilling for me. A family member of mine is a therapist, and she said, “every therapist who does family counseling should have this book.”

 

The book works for kids, in my opinion, because the story is engaging and often funny. Kids can authentically internalize the message without feeling like they're being hammered by it. Kirkus can be harsh, so an author should celebrate if its reviewers praise the work.

 

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

 

A: Landing a title was a process. My agent, editor, and I bounced ideas via email for weeks. I'd originally called it Lily and That Guy. The question: could someone perceive a creepy undertone? A kid with some guy. Definite yuck factor there.

 

Then we pondered Lily and Carl, but I didn't want his name in the title. Lily calls him “that guy” until she begins to accept him. Then he's Carl. Having his name in the title ruined the turning point in the story.

 

Also considered: Mommy and That Guy. Same potential for a creepy undertone. Mommy's just hanging out with some random guy? Ultimately, Mommy's New Friend captured the essence of the story.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I'm writing a young adult novel called The Rescue of Megan Maxwell as well as my first adult novel. I'm a library director, a demanding job that requires a lot of time and energy. Most days I get up around 4 a.m. and put on my author hat before going to work.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I sold Mommy's New Friend in 2018. It hit bookstores in February 2024. Six years! Of course, we had a pandemic during that stretch of time. The illustrator's schedule is always part of the equation.

 

Also my longtime editor took a new job, and transitioning work to a new editor takes time. When a new editor takes time with your book, that's a good thing.

 

I've heard stories about lackluster engagement when an author switches editors. That new editor didn't fall in love with your submission; they didn't go through acquisitions or do the initial work of shaping the manuscript.

 

Fortunately, my new editor was a champion for Lily and me.  Aspiring authors, take note: the process is its own beast. You might have wrinkles and gray hair by the time your book is in readers' hands.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Shelley Tougas.