Q&A with Aaron Reynolds

  

 

 

Aaron Reynolds is the author of the new kids' chapter book Unsettling Salad!, the second in his Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales! series. He lives in Chicago. 

 

Q: What inspired you to write Unsettling Salad!, and how did you create your character Thaddeus Badger?

 

A: I love the creepy and ridiculous! I have been brewing on a story about a were-broccoli for some time now and this series just opened up the possibility for this idea. A lycanthropic broccoli that transforms into bushy-headed veggie doom when the moon is full. Ludicrous! I love it!

 

Q: How would you describe the relationship between Thaddeus Badger and Oliver Possum?

 

A: They have a fierce friendship, but their solutions are a bit misguided, just like the thinking of so many kids their age. And yet, they don't hesitate to perform their ill-advised escape plan in their quest for fun.

 

Q: What do you think Peter Brown’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: They don't just add to the book, they make the book. Peter always brings his full A-game to the Creepy universe, with all the weird lighting, strange camera angles and quirky retro-meets-spooky vibes that help to define the tone of the series.

 

Q: The Kirkus Review of the book says, “Tone is the true star of the show in this series; the mystery unspools thanks to the buildup of unnerving moments.” What do you think of that assessment?

 

A: I agree! Tone is everything! Ambiance and vibe are each characters in their own right and juxtaposing the unnerving against the farcical is essential in making these stories work.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: The kids and librarians have spoken: They want more Creepy! My attention is solidly on the creepy for a while. More Creepy chapter books are being brainstormed and more Creepy picture book goodness is not out of the question.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Stay tuned for the next installment in Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales. A new title is coming soon called Yarn Is Everything and it may be my favorite of these three. I won't spoil it, but I will say this... crochet is about to get weird.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Aaron Reynolds.