Elizabeth Rudnick is the author of the new children's picture book First Night at Dad's. She is also an editor and literary agent, and has adapted more than 30 books. She lives in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Q: What inspired you to write First Night at Dad’s?
A: People always say “write what you know,” but in this case what inspired me to write First Night at Dad’s was the idea of writing something I wanted others to know.
When I went through my own divorce and began navigating these milestones I never imagined I would have to navigate, I realized there were not a lot of books out there to support my journey.
Divorce takes an emotional toll on every family member. And sometimes, I just wanted the language to get me through a situation—and I wanted my son to have the awareness that he wasn’t alone. That other children have been in his shoes. First Night at Dad’s was born out of all of that!
Q: What do you think Yaara Cellier’s illustrations add to the story?
A: Yaara Cellier did a wonderful job bringing the text to life. Her illustrations convey all the hidden emotions that I couldn’t necessarily reflect in the text, and I think she has beautifully captured all three of these characters.
I love the small details she has added—like the stuffy that Henry takes with him between houses and the way she shows the parents attempt at consistency by having the same picture on the wall at each home.
I particularly love the image she did of Henry and his dad looking up at the stars together. It makes me weepy every time I see it.
Q: How would you describe Henry’s relationships with each of his parents?
A: Great question! And sort of a complicated one. Because the relationship I imagine he has is a richly layered one, but with only had 32 pages to work with, I had to focus on this one moment.
But I hope I made it clear he loves both his parents. Mom is definitely the emotional anchor for him—it is why he ends up calling her during dinner. Dad is the fun one in many ways—he “plays with his food” and is out rolling in the yard. But he also has an emotional connection with Henry that gives Henry comfort when needed.
Q: What do you hope kids take away from the story?
A: Kids are faced with so many challenges. I hate that decisions that are so far outside their control cause them emotional hurt.
I want young readers to see themselves and their story in these pages, and that in doing so, that it might offer them some comfort. And I want them to know how much we, as parents, are trying to do the right thing even when we might mess it up.
Life is messy. But I want children to know that divorce doesn’t mean that love has to shrink. It can multiply.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I always have several things brewing at one time. I have a horse named Muffin who I like to take out to ride and dream up new ideas for books to come.
I’m currently writing a magical realism novel for middle grade about a girl and a horse, and I have been brainstorming other big “firsts” I can explore through picture books like this one.
And I’m working on a dragon story—something I’ve been wanting to do since I got into the world of publishing over 20 years ago.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Writing a book and putting it out in the world is super scary—especially when it touches upon something so emotional. I’m so glad that others in the same shoes as Henry and his parents will have a book to turn to in a way I didn’t.
Of course, this is just one version of one story. Everyone’s moment will look different because, well, we are all different people. But there are moments that connect us, no matter how they look.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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