20 Aug Author Karen Rostoker-Gruber

I am thrilled that my prolific and generous friend, Karen Rostoker-Gruber has stopped by today. I absolutely LOVE her newest book, A Crowded Farmhouse Folktale, and I’m excited that she’s sharing some thoughts about it today.

Welcome, Karen! First of all, what made you do a retelling of a folktale? I should probably call it a “reimagining” because that’s really what it is. 

I wanted to reimage a folktale–

one that I could simplify,

one that no one reworked for a while,

one that Disney didn’t redo.

I came across two folktales that I loved: one of them I had heard back when I was younger, and the other one I had never heard of before.

I  reworked both.

I love the lyrical language, and although the whole story is not told in rhyme, you do use it a lot. I think it adds to the whimsy of the story.  Do you often write in rhyme?

I love repeated refrains, bits of rhyme, and lyrical writing.  After reading hundreds of folktales from all over the world, that night, I wrote this down on a sticky note:

There was no room to sit,

no room to pace,

no room to rest,

no extra space!

That little rhyme was just what I needed as a starting point to simplify one of the folktales.  I couldn’t wait to begin working on it in the morning.

Also, children LOVE repeated refrains and simple rhyme.  My most successful book (selling over 250,000 copies) was Rooster Can’t Cock-a-Doodle-Doo.  That book had a lot of repeated refrains, animal noises, and animal puns.  Kids love predictability, being involved in the story, shouting out the repeated refrains, and sounding out the animal noises.

The rhyming repeated refrain that I used works really well for this story.

It’s quick.

It’s short.

It’s easy to remember.

When does your book launch?

On October 1, 2020, and I can’t wait!

I have to say that this is the most beautiful book that I’ve ever worked on.  I usually work on humorous picture books filled with animal puns.

Of course, I can’t take credit for the illustrations.  Kristina Swaner’s work is so dreamy and whimsical.  I get lost in every illustration that she does: the detail in the cat’s fur, the wallpaper, the fabric in the wise woman’s dress and on her chair.

And, the humor sprinkled throughout: the duck in the toilet, the horses playing with the toilet paper, the duck eating a piece off of my title on the front cover.  (You have to look really closely for that one.)

Yes! I love the illustrations, and I find something new every time I look at them. I just found that “title munching duck.” 🙂 

With everything going on this year, how do you think your launch will be different than other books you’ve done?

This will be my 15th traditionally-published book, but my first book published during a pandemic.  It’s going to be very different.

Usually, I book school visits, do book signings, and go to conferences to sign books.  This time everything will be virtual.  I can do storytimes and school visits virtually.  I’ll be doing a lot more blog posts and interviews on-line.  (I actually like doing storytime in my PJs.)  🤗

Do you have a specific writing routine? If so, can you please tell us what it is.  

I work on social media in the morning–usually from 9-11.  Then I write, revise, rewrite, and reimagine the rest of the day.  I log off of my computer at 5:30, call my parents, watch the news at 6, make dinner at 7, and either spend time with my husband or read at 8.  I’m also crazy about watching AGT.  I love seeing people’s dreams realized.

 What advice would you give people who want to write children’s books?   

Read.  Read.  Read.  If you think you’ve read enough, read some more.

Join a critique group.  If you write picture books, join a critique group for that.  If you write MG, join a critique group for that.

Join the SCBWI. They tell you about upcoming conferences.

Go to the conferences and meet with editors, agents, and other writers.

Get into the Rutgers One-on-One Conference, which is usually held the third Saturday every October.

(I sold two of my children’s books there to two different editors–long story.)

Tell us something about you that people may not know.  

I’m also a ventriloquist.  I used to go to every school visit with my puppet friend (Maria).  We’ve even been invited to High Tea at tea houses.

Fun! I’ve been lucky enough to have met Maria. She’s very nice. 🙂 

When and where can people pre-order A Crowded Farmhouse Folktale?

You can pre-order it now,

I can sign it.

The Bookworm can ship it!

The Bookworm

(my local bookstore)

908-766-4599

thebookworm99@outlook.com

If you don’t need it signed, just order it from any book store! You can order it on-line at Bookshop.com

Or on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Crowded-Farmhouse-Folktale-Karen-Rostoker-Gruber-ebook/dp/B089VD45H7

If you want to learn more about Karen and her books, stop by her website at  https://www.karenrostoker-gruber.com/

Karen is generously offering a copy of this beautiful book to a lucky winner. Just comment on this post, and let us know you shared it on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. We’ll be in contact! 

Karen, thanks so much for stopping by. I know everyone will love this book, including teachers, librarians, and kids.

#kidlit #picturebook #kidsbooks #folktale #folktales #farmer #farm #farmanimals

#AlbertWhitman