KL: I live in northern Minnesota with my wonderful, retired husband, who is more than happy to run to the library or grab groceries for me. He’s my biggest supporter and the reason I was able to pursue my dream of writing full-time since 2010. Before that, I was a mortgage lender, where I used my creativity to help people secure financing. When I’m not writing during the summer, you’ll probably find me out on a walk or working in my garden. And after supper, you’ll always find me playing three games of Sequence every night with my husband.

EL:  The last time you were here, we talked about Goat’s Boat Won’t Float, which I loved. Doll Trouble is so different from that , and I love it just as much. Is it difficult for you to switch up like that?

KL: No, it’s not at all difficult. It’s actually what keeps me coming back to my desk every day! I thrive on variety, and many of my stories have grown out of pure experimentation. I love to play with form and structure—whether it’s an epistolary story, a rhyming verse, a concept book, an early reader, or even exploring meta and circular narratives. For me, picking the format is the first step; I love seeing what kind of story unfolds within that framework.

EL: How did you get the idea for Doll Trouble? 

KL: I fondly remember my favorite childhood doll named Teresa, and I often wish I still had her. Being the oldest of five siblings, my toys rarely “lived” to see old age. Between a house full of kids and a particularly destructive brother, I spent a lot of my childhood figuring out how to keep loving my dolls after they ended up with missing limbs or shaved heads. Those early lessons in empathy—learning to love something even when it isn’t “perfect”—became the emotional heart of this story.

But the specific spark for Doll Trouble really ignited when I watched the kids next door playing while their dad mowed the lawn. It took me back to a childhood memory of my cousin, who tragically lost several toes in a lawnmower accident. I wanted to weave those two worlds together: creating a narrative that celebrates the resilience of a well-loved toy, while gently alerting children to the very real dangers of lawnmowers.

EL: Can you tell us a bit about the road to publication for this one?

KL: I submitted this story to Clavis Publishing on December 3, and just seventeen days later, I received an email stating they wanted to publish it! Working with Clavis has been a uniquely international experience. Because they are based in Belgium, the book actually made its debut in Dutch first under the title Mijn pop voor altijd (My Doll Forever), which was a fun collaborative process working alongside a translator and editor

EL: I think the illustrations are perfect for your book. Did you get to communicate with your illustrator? 

KL: Yes, I adore the artwork, too. It immediately reminded me of the movie James and the Giant Peach, a favorite of mine during my boys’ younger years. The publisher included me in the initial sketches, and my only minor note was that the doll needed to look a bit more physically damaged—she had been run over by a lawnmower, after all! We went back and forth a few times, eventually finding a balance where Natasa was comfortable—she was initially worried that children might find the doll too frightening if she made her look too damaged—and I was delighted with the final result.

EL: I agree. The final result is wonderful. Thank you so much for visiting today, Kim! Wishing you all the best!

BIO:

Kim A. Larson writes humorous and lyrical picture books and more. She is the author of Doll Trouble (Clavis Publishing, 2026) and Goat’s Boat Won’t Float (The Little Press, 2024). She was honored to receive the SCBWI Ann Whitford Paul Award, two Minnesota State Arts Board grants, and three Lake Region Arts Council grants. Kim lives in Minnesota, and when she’s not writing, you may find her gardening or playing Sequence with her husband. Visit Kim’s website to learn more about her and her work, or connect with her on social media via linktr.ee.

https://www.kimalarson.com/  

https://www.facebook.com/kim.j.larson.7 (Kim Jensen Larson)

https://x.com/KimALarson7

https://www.instagram.com/kimalarson/

https://bsky.app/profile/kimalarson.bsky.social

Now it’s time for a

Clavis Publishing is offering a copy of Doll Trouble (US & Canada only) to one lucky winner! Please comment on this post to get a chance to win.

AND…we have a Bonus Giveaway:

Subscribe to Kim’s newsletter by August first for another chance to win (US & Canada only). You’ll also receive a PDF copy of her first published book of short stories and poems: Love, Laughter, and a few Happily Ever Afters. Check out her website for details. 

Until next time,

Ellen

Sue Ellen is back! She has had a long, twisty road, but she’s never really gone away.

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