Meet the Author (Reading Rockets)
46 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 11 years ago - ★★★★★ - 22 ratingsReading Rockets' interviews with top children's book authors and illustrators are an excellent way to introduce students to those who create books kids know and love. Not just for children, these interviews are also enjoyed by parents, teachers, librarians, and other educators who appreciate the value of children's literature and get a kick out of putting a face and voice to the authors and illustrators whose work we enjoy.
These interviews are available from ReadingRockets.org in audio and video formats. To see a transcript from these interviews, to find out more about each author, or to watch the full interview, see Reading Rockets' Books & Authors section.
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Episodes
Chris Raschka
April 22, 2013 17:30 - 1.35 GB VideoMeet Chris Raschka, author, illustrator, musician and winner of three Caldecotts (most recently for A Ball for Daisy). Find out how Raschka creates his deeply expressive illustrations and how he's able to reveal the rhythm, experimentation and play of jazz through image and word. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Departmen...
Vicki Cobb
April 22, 2013 17:30 - 365 MB VideoVicki Cobb, the Julia Child of hands-on science, is a former science teacher with a playful and accessible approach to science. She has published more than 85 books for grades K&8 that explore physics, chemistry and biology, biographies, geography, and the human body. Her new Science Play series targets kids 3&5 years old, who are already natural scientists with their interest in the world around. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org...
Herman Parish
April 22, 2013 17:30 - 30 minutes - 1.53 GB VideoMeet writer Herman Parish, who has been writing stories about the literal-minded Amelia Bedelia since 1995, inventing new adventures for the beloved character his aunt, Peggy Parish, created 50 years ago. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Sarah Stewart and David Small
April 22, 2013 17:30 - 670 MB VideoMeet husband/wife team Sarah Stewart and David Small. Together, they've created a number of award-winning picture books. Learn how they work together, their creative process, and all about their sixth collaboration, The Quiet Place. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Tomie dePaola (2012)
November 26, 2012 17:30 - 58 minutes - 694 MB VideoTomie dePaola, the author and illustrator of Strega Nona and many other favorite books, always knew he wanted to be an artist. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Tomie dePaola tells comical childhood tales, reflects on his career, and suggests ways to encourage young readers and artists. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a ...
Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid)
November 21, 2012 17:30 - 23 minutes - 278 MB VideoJeff Kinney is perhaps best known as the creator of Greg Heffley, the wry adolescent hero of Kinney&s best-selling Wimpy Kid series. Publisher#38;s Weekly says, 'Kinney has a gift for believable preteen dialogue and narration, and the illustrations serve as a hilarious counterpoint to Greg#38;s often deadpan voice.' To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provid...
Henry Cole (2012)
November 14, 2012 17:00 - 24 minutes - 286 MB VideoReading Rocket's exclusive interview with author and illustrator Henry Cole -- creator of Celeste, The Worrywarts, Katy Duck, and many other beloved characters -- talks about his early career as a science teacher (who always drew for his students!), why it takes patience to draw what you really see, how he gets those comical animal faces to look just right, and why he loved using a plain Number 2 pencil to create the evocative illustrations for his book A Nest for Celeste. To view the full ve...
Chris Van Dusen
July 19, 2012 17:00 - 36 minutes - 430 MB VideoMeet author/illustrator Chris Van Dusen, whose rich imagination has produced a lively collection of interesting characters (King Hugos Huge Ego), adventures (The Circus Ship), and delightful rhymes (If I Built a Car). To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Sam McBratney
June 25, 2012 17:00 - 34 minutes - 38.9 MBMeet Sam McBratney, author of the international best seller Guess How Much I Love You, who has been writing children's books across all genres for more than 30 years. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Susan Cooper
June 18, 2012 17:00 - 47 minutes - 564 MB VideoMeet Newbery winner Susan Cooper (Dark Is Rising series) whose work weaves rich language and contemporary concerns with fantasy, history and traditional literature to create compelling, timeless novels for a wide range of readers. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Jules and Kate Feiffer
March 16, 2012 17:00 - 41 minutes - 491 MB VideoMeet the Feiffers! Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist dad, Jules, is well-known for his social commentary, but also writes and illustrates books for young readers. So does his daughter, Kate. Whether working alone or in collaboration, Jules and Kate Feiffer's books are funny and observant, with stories drawn from very real and familiar family situations. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public tele...
Jarrett Krosoczka (The Lunch Lady Series)
January 30, 2012 16:45 - 34 minutes - 404 MB VideoChildren's Choice Book Award winner Jarrett Krosoczka (the Lunch Lady series) talks about his very first book (an original Greek myth in the third grade), the inspiration for his books, and why he writes for kids. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Julianne Moore (Freckleface)
January 20, 2012 16:45 - 23 minutes - 277 MB VideoJulianne Moore, author of the Freckleface Strawberry series, talks about falling in love with storytelling and reading as a young child, why she writes for kids, and how to encourage young writers.. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Allen Say (Grandfather's Journey)
January 06, 2012 17:00 - 34 minutes - 407 MB VideoCaldecott winner Allen Say talks about living alone in Tokyo at age 12, studying with cartoon master Noro Shinpei, his career as a photographer, and finally returning to his love of storytelling through words and pictures. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Katherine Paterson (2011 National Ambassador of Young Peoples Literature)
November 21, 2011 15:00 - 38 minutes - 448 MB VideoKatherine Paterson, Newbery winner and the 2011 National Ambassador of Young Peoples Literature, talks about families reading aloud together, the joys of writing historical fiction, and the challenge of adapting classic works. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education..
Dallas Clayton (An Awesome Book)
November 18, 2011 15:00 - 14 minutes - 155 MB VideoIn his two books, An Awesome Book! and An Awesome Book of Thanks!, writer-illustrator Dallas Clayton shares his exuberance for life. In this interview, he talks about his inspirations, connecting with his readers, and his literacy foundation. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education..
Rosalyn Schanzer (George vs. George)
November 09, 2011 16:00 - 47 minutes - 575 MB VideoAuthor and illustrator Rosalyn Schanzer sees history as series of grand adventures and stories just waiting to be told. She brings people like George Washington and Charles Darwin to life through vivid storytelling and rich-in-detail illustrations. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education..
Mary Quattlebaum (Pirate vs. Pirate)
October 31, 2011 15:00 - 47 minutes - 35.3 MB VideoAn interview with writer Mary Quattlebaum, author of picture books such as 'Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond' and 'Pirate vs. Pirate' as well as the Jackson Jones series for independent readers. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Erica Perl (Chicken Butt)
October 24, 2011 06:00 - 29 minutes - 351 MB VideoWatch our interview with Erica Perl, author of the wonderfully silly, begging to be readaloud picture book, Chicken Butt, as well as Dotty, a story about school days and imaginary friends, and Ninety-Three in My Family, a tall-tale counting book. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Marilyn Singer (Mirror, Mirror)
January 03, 2011 15:00 - 33 minutes - 397 MB VideoMarilyn Singer has written all kinds of great books for children and young adults but poetry is her favorite. Singer is on a mission to 'knock poetry off its pedestal' and to introduce kids to the pleasing rhythms and powerful emotion of poems, but also to encourage kids to express themselves through verse. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a ...
E.B. Lewis (The Other Side)
December 20, 2010 17:00 - 22 minutes - 265 MB VideoE.B. Lewis's interests in fine arts, illustration, and art education led him to coin the term 'artistrator' to describe his work. As a children's illustrator, Lewis has contributed beautiful watercolors to 'The Other Side' by Jacqueline Woodson, 'Fire on the Mountain' by Jane Kurtz, 'Down the Road' by Alice Schertle, and many other titles. Lewis's illustrations, which have been described as 'simply stunning' and 'uniquely captivating' have earned him the Coretta Scott King Award and a Caldeco...
Margaret Peterson Haddix (The Girl with 500 Middle Names)
December 13, 2010 17:00 - 23 minutes - 280 MB VideoAs a kid, Margaret Peterson Haddix was a real bookworm: she remembers her mother asking her to please put down her books to enjoy some of the scenery on family vacations. Haddix was so attached to reading, that she considered the characters in books like 'Harriet the Spy' and 'Little Women' to be her friends. Haddix herself writes YA fiction that critics have called 'absorbing and realistic;' science fiction that is 'chilling and intelligent,' and younger grades fiction that is 'sympathetic b...
Norton Juster (Phantom Tollbooth)
December 06, 2010 17:00 - 37 minutes - 436 MB VideoThe world knows and loves The Phantom Tollbooth and its creator, Norton Juster, a professional architect who also loved writing delightfully inventive books for children. Meet Juster in this exclusive interview from Reading Rockets. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Lois Ehlert (Color Zoo)
October 04, 2010 17:00 - 15 minutes - 179 MB VideoLois Ehlert's unique children's books, such as Color Zoo, reflect her creative and curious mind. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Lois Ehlert discusses her early love for art and how she continually strives to create highly original children's books. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of E...
Pam Muñoz Ryan (Esperanza Rising)
August 30, 2010 17:10 - 8 minutes - 19.3 MB VideoPam Muñoz Ryan isn't afraid of indomitable women. In fact, she's inspired by them! Just look at her 2000 Pura Belpre Medal winning book, "Esperanza Rising". In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, you'll hear how this author quickly learned the value of a public library and how she's always been surrounded by strong-spirited women, both fictional and real. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education ...
Bruce Degen (Magic School Bus)
August 30, 2010 17:10 - 9 minutes - 24.5 MB VideoIf a picture can speak a thousand words, Bruce Degen's illustrations can spark a thousand smiles. From sixth-grade, this illustrator of the wildly popular "Magic School Bus" series knew that art would be a big part of his life. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Degen talks about his early artistic roots, the inspirational value of fruit, and what it's like to collaborate with author Joanna Cole. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at w...
Lois Lowry (Number the Stars)
August 30, 2010 17:10 - 17 minutes - 20.8 MB VideoLois Lowry is the highly acclaimed author of more than 30 books for young people. Over the years, she has received numerous awards, including two Newbery Medals. Lowry has written such a wide range of books that her body of work cannot be categorized easily. Her genres range from contemporary fiction to historical fiction to fantasy to autobiographical. Her audiences range from elementary school children all the way up to young adults. Some of Lowry's books are light-hearted, but others deal ...
Gail Gibbons (From Seed to Plant)
July 30, 2010 15:10 - 13 minutes - 39.4 MB VideoGail Gibbons writes the kind of non-fiction books that young children pore over. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Gail Gibbons discusses how she comes up with the idea for her books and the daunting task of explaining complex topics in a few pages. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Educ...
Eve Bunting (Fly Away Home)
July 26, 2010 17:10 - 11 minutes - 29.6 MB VideoEve Bunting is a storyteller who can't help but be spellbinding. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, the ever-charming Eve Bunting shares her literary roots in Ireland, her feelings about coming to a new country, and what it means to write books that "heal the world." To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. ...
R.L. Stine (Goosebumps)
June 30, 2010 17:10 - 6 minutes - 14 MB VideoThe author of the Goosebumps series writes books that creep kids out, and boy do they love it! More than 220 million of his books have sold worldwide, a Guinness World Record. Watch this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets and meet the scarily creative, always funny R.L. Stine. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S....
Jack Prelutsky (It's Raining Pigs & Noodles)
May 31, 2010 17:10 - 15 minutes - 39.4 MB VideoJack Prelutsky likes nothing better than to make people laugh. Lucky for us! His off-kilter poems and wacky rhymes can't help but put a smile on everyone's lips. This exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets will help you understand why this writer once thought poetry was hazardous to his health. To view the full version of this and other author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a gra...
Henry Cole (Victor Vito)
November 03, 2009 14:22 - 31 minutes - 152 MB VideoHenry Cole was once a beloved teacher, so much so that decades after he left teaching to pursue an illustrating career, a parent working for Reading Rockets fondly recalled Henry Cole's influence on his own, now-grown children. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Henry Cole talks about his teaching background, describes the book illustration process, and sketches a new canine character. For more author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education s...
Laurie Halse Anderson (Chains)
November 03, 2009 14:22 - 43 minutes - 573 MB VideoLaurie Halse Anderson struggled with learning to read. Once she cracked the code, she became a voracious reader. And then discovered writing - leading to numerous picture books, middle-grade titles and award-winning teen and historical fiction, including National Book Award finalist, Speak, and National Book Award finalist, Chains. For more author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant fro...
Bryan Collier
November 03, 2009 14:22 - 31 minutes - 29.5 MB VideoAward-winning illustrator Bryan Collier began creating art at the age of 15. Using his signature style, a vibrant mix of watercolor and collage, he brings stories to life. He's already lent his talents to such books as Visiting Langston, Rosa, and his own book, Uptown. Reading Rockets sat down with the artist for an exclusive interview. For more author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a gran...
Mem Fox (Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes)
February 17, 2009 14:22 - 31 minutes - 508 MB VideoMem Fox is Australia's best-known children's book author. Her books are tremendously popular in the U.S. as well, and she has traveled widely as a writer, teacher, and passionate proponent of reading aloud to children. For more author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Marc Brown (Arthur)
July 21, 2008 17:59 - 8 minutes - 23.3 MB VideoMarc Brown is the author and illustrator of Arthur, everyone's favorite aardvark. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Marc Brown chats about his childhood, the Arthur television shows on PBS, and his friendship with the late Mr. Rogers. For more author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Avi (Crispin- The Cross of Lead)
June 23, 2008 16:01 - 13 minutes - 37.5 MB VideoAvi is the 2003 Newbery Medal award winning author of "Crispin- A Cross of Lead", and widely acclaimed for his works of historical fiction for middle grade readers. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Avi talks about the challenges of writing, his years as a librarian, and his symptoms of dyslexia. For more author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. ...
George Ancona (Bario: José's Neighborhood)
May 27, 2008 17:13 - 14 minutes - 35 MB VideoIn 2002, George Ancona received the Washington Post-Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award for work that "has contributed significantly to the quality of nonfiction for children." In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, George Ancona talks about his photo-illustrated books and how he uses photography to offer insight into the everyday lives of children from different cultures. For more author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of p...
David Adler (Cam Jansen Series)
May 19, 2008 15:52 - 9 minutes - 25.4 MB Video"Blink your eyes and say click!" Cam Jansen, David Adler's heroine with a photographic memory, has captured the imagination of millions of readers. The prolific Alder has also written several picture book biographies for children, bringing historical figures to literary life. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, David Adler discusses the "Supermarket Room" of his teaching career, simple math methods, and the reason why Benjamin Franklin never wore a wig. For more author...
Janet Wong (You Have to Write)
May 09, 2008 15:20 - 19 minutes - 61.3 MB VideoJanet Wong's career switch was so dramatic that she was featured on a segment of The Oprah Winfrey Show. When Wong left her job as Director of Labor Relations at Universal Studios in Hollywood, she dreamed of becoming a children's book author. Over the next two years, she took a writing class, submitted manuscripts, and piled up more than two dozen rejection letters. Through a combination of practice, persistence, and talent, Janet Wong quickly became a successful writer of poetry and picture...
Betsy Lewin (Click, Clack, Moo)
May 06, 2008 15:20 - 10 minutes - 33.6 MB VideoBetsy Lewin, the illustrator of Click Clack Moo, takes a playful approach to her work. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Betsy Lewin discusses her career goals as a child and the inspiration she gets from exotic trips abroad. For more author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Ashley Bryan (Sing to the Sun)
May 02, 2008 15:20 - 18 minutes - 626 KB VideoAshley Bryan is an eclectic artist who uses painting, poetry, music, collage, and prose to tell stories. Bryan fuses these seemingly separate art forms within his books for children. "I try not to accept walls and boundaries and definitions in a strict way," he says. "I would hope that everything I do is interrelated." Bryan is known for retelling African folktales in a distinct, rhythmic prose that is heavily influenced by African-American poetry. In 1981 his collection of Nigerian folktales...
Kadir Nelson (We Are The Ship)
March 04, 2008 15:20 - 12 minutes - 39.2 MB VideoKadir Nelson is a naturally gifted artist whose extraordinary talent continues to develop and be discovered. Before the age of 30, Nelson had already illustrated children's books, sold paintings to celebrities, and worked on a movie directed by Steven Spielberg. In 2007 Kadir Nelson received a Caldecott Honor for his evocative illustrations in "Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom." In 2008 he won a second Caldecott Honor for his artwork in "Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story ...
Jack Gantos (Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key)
March 04, 2008 15:00 - 8 minutes - 27.2 MB VideoJack Gantos' interesting life has provided the raw material for many of his books. The Jack Henry middle-grade fiction series was based on Gantos' own adventures as a boy, and the award-winning Joey Pigza books resulted from Gantos' interactions with children with ADHD. For more author interviews, visit us at www.readingrockets.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Robert Sabuda (Encyclopedia Prehistorica Pop-Ups)
December 17, 2007 15:00 - 19 minutes - 66.6 MB VideoSince 1994 Robert Sabuda has taken three-dimensional pop-up books to new heights. Elaborate dinosaurs leap off the page. Colorful Christmas trees rise up and blink. Knights in shining armor joust before the king and queen. The ease with which these things twist, turn, and delight readers is the result of much trial and error. Robert Sabuda is a completely self-taught pop-up book artist. Without any guidebook or mentor, Sabuda has always had to challenge himself to find out what is possible. ...
Brian Selznick (The Invention of Hugo Cabret)
December 10, 2007 15:00 - 21 minutes - 67.8 MB VideoBrian Selznick feels that his illustrations are more authentic when he immerses himself in his subject matter. For the picture book Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride, Selznick spent six months in Washington, DC conducting research at libraries and museums. For his Caldecott-Honor-winning illustrations in The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins, he traveled to London to sketch, photograph, and climb inside the famous dinosaur replicas. For his best-selling 533-page illustrated novel, The Invention ...