Module 12
Question: If you could interview your favourite creator what would you ask?
Question: If you could interview your favourite creator what would you ask?
Books from Julia Donaldson have been a staple in my house since my eldest son was a newborn. Her simple rhyme and visual images found in her books immediately drew attention. All was quiet in the deep dark wood...(The Gruffalo) was constantly used by my son whenever we were in an unfamiliar territory. Reading aloud to children early in life rapidly develops their speaking skills. They don't learn to talk - they can't learn to talk - unless they are spoken to (Fox, p.15). I attribute reading The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and other Julia Donaldson's works repeatedly gave my children the ability to speak earlier than some of their peers their own age. I am able to hear words found in her books used by my children - lurking, cackle, rollick and frolic. One time, my son came up to me, wagged his finger and said, "If you don't take care, a mammoth's going to throw you to the big brown bear!" This line is from Cave Baby. My son used it when he disagreed with a decision I made. Now eight years later, The Gruffalo's book cover is worn and wrinkly. My children still eager wait to have it read. They also can't wait until the next Julia Donaldson book comes out!
Questions for Julia Donaldson:
Questions for Julia Donaldson:
- Where do your inspirations come from?
- Were you a reader as a child?
- How does writing a story feel?
- Do you remember your first story? When was it written? Why did you write the way you did?
- Do you use childhood experiences in your stories?
- I notice you use a variety of illustrators. Do you write specific stories for different illustrators?
- Do you enjoy writing sequels?
- As an adult, do you find it difficult to write stories for children?
- I see when you work with Axel Scheffler, he puts hidden easter eggs in your stories (e.g. picture of The Gruffalo). What is the meaning behind this?
- Who is your inspirational author and why?
- Do you feel discouraged when a publisher returns your manuscript and asks for a revision?
- What do you wish you'd known about the process of writing a book before you did it?
- What is your goal for writing picture books? Are they solely for children to read independently? or Would you rather see parents read aloud to their children?
- Of all the books you have written, which one do you enjoy most of all? Why?
- Finally, I won't state a question, rather I would say, "Thank-you. Thank-you for inspiring my children and granting them an insurmount of imagination and creativity. I have three children ranging from 8 to 3-years-old. Your stories bring my family together. No matter where someone is in the house, as soon as they hear your words, everyone runs to the couch. Once a story is complete, someone asks to read another story from your collection."
Note: Book covers retrieved from Amazon.ca
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References
Fox, M. (2008). Reading magic: why reading aloud to our children will change their lives forever. Harcourt: New York.
Fox, M. (2008). Reading magic: why reading aloud to our children will change their lives forever. Harcourt: New York.