Recently, a group of lucky 2nd graders from PS 86, PS/IS 30, and Macademy visited Central Library for a presentation by children's book author and illustrator, Ruth Chan!
Ruth spoke about everything from her illustration techniques to her muses -- pets Georgie and Feta!
Afterward, I had an opportunity to ask her a few questions about herself and her work:
As a writer and illustrator, what animal would you choose as your mascot?
An alpaca. Alpacas are great because they know what they like and they know what they don't, but they're sweet about it! They're nice, but with good boundaries.
I learned a lot about alpacas because I'm currently working on a new picture book called The Alpactory, which is due to be published in March 2021!
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
Yes! I like to hide characters from my friends' books in my books!
For example, in Georgie's Best Bad Day, Bearnard the bear and Roz the robot sit on the shelf in Georgie's room. (from Bearnard's Book by Deborah Underwood and The Wild Robot by Peter Brown). If you look carefully, you can also see Little Elliott in the kitchen! (from Little Elliot, Big City by Michael Curato)
Also, when I illustrated The Great Indoors (written by Julie Falatko), I made the setting a Chinese-American family's home. There are scrolls in Chinese characters, and lots of rice cookers, and when the family comes home, they are Chinese.
If you could be a character in any book you've ever read, who would you be and why?
One of Richard Scarry's characters: The guy who drives the pickle car! Because I love pickles, and as a kid, I loved looking for it on each page.
Be sure to check out one of Ruth's books during your next library visit:
Where's the party? written and illustrated by Ruth Chan
Georgie the cat loves to throw parties but this time, not one of his friends can come.
Check the CatalogGeorgie's best bad day written and illustrated by Ruth Chan
Georgie and his friends are all having a bad day, so the cat and his crew of animal buddies decide to do their favorite things to turn their day around.
Check the CatalogThe great indoors written by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Ruth Chan
Woodland animals camp in a human house for a weeklong vacation while the family that lives there is away.
Check the CatalogAmy the Red Panda is writing the best story in the world written by Colleen A.F. Venable, illustrated by Ruth Chan
Amy the Red Panda is trying to tell a story to her best friend, Mervin the Sloth, but the enthusiastic contributions of other animals threaten to spoil it.
Check the CatalogMervin the sloth is about to do the best thing in the world written by Colleen A.F. Venable, illustrated by Ruth Chan
Mervin the Sloth very, very slowly reveals the best thing in the world--sharing good times with good friends.
Check the Catalog
This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.
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