Author Interview: 20 Questions with Tami Lewis Brown

The 20 Question Interview with our very own Turkeybird is our feature interview that will be happening with all of the book authors, illustrators and poets we love! Today the Turkeybird is sharing his interview with an author with a brand new book out, The Map of Me. His mom reviewed it just yesterday and loved it! So, without further hesitation on our part, the Turkeybird’s 20 Question interview with Tami Lewis Brown…

1. Do you like chickens? My mom said there were lots of chickens in your book.

I sort of love chickens . . . and sort of hate them, too. I’m crazy about chickens with fancy feathers or colorful eggs but chicken feet creep me out! Too much like dinosaurs, I guess.

There are lots of chickens in THE MAP OF ME, hundreds, probably, but (sadly) no live chickens. Peep and Margie’s mom is obsessed with chicken collectibles and when she proposes they add a chicken coop in the backyard . . . that’s when things start getting interesting.

2. Chickens or Roosters?

Chickens!

3. Why?

I love eggs, especially fancy colored ones.

4. Do you like to write? It sounds very long.

I love telling stories but writing them can be hard work.

5. Why?

I’ve always made up stories inside my head. Sharing them in a book is fantastic.

6. Crayons or Markers?

Ooooh I love crayons. Especially the silver one.

7. Why?

I like crayons’ waxy smell and how they make such bold color on a page.

8. What’s your favorite color?

My favorite color has always been yellow . . . so I was thrilled that THE MAP OF ME’s cover is mostly yellow.

9. Do you think I could drive my dad’s car sometime just like Margie drove her dad’s truck?

I’m sure you could! Just warn me before you do it so I can stay out of your way!

10. If you were four what would you read next?

My favorite book is CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. I bet you’d love it.

11. Do you have a favorite treat? (Mine is anything chocolate!)

I love bananas . . . they go pretty well with chocolate, too.

12. When you were my age did you like to read?

When I was four I loved being read to but I didn’t learn to read until I was six. GO DOG, GO! was a big family favorite.

13. I saw a picture with an airplane and you. Do you really know how to fly? That’s so cool!

I am a pilot! I’m qualified to fly small airplanes.

14. Where do you fly to?

I don’t own a plane anymore but this week I flew (as a passenger) to visit my daughter in Scotland. That was pretty amazing!

15. What’s your favorite word? Mine is underpants! *giggle snort*

I collect words. One of my favorites is corduroy.

16. I love to collect rocks! Do you like rocks?

Yes. The shinier the better.

17. Why?

Collections are really great. THE MAP OF ME involves a huge collection—but of chickens, not rocks.

18. Do you ever want to write a book for guys my age? (Picture book)

I have written a picture book. It’s called SOAR, ELINOR! and it’s the true story of pioneer pilot Elinor Smith. She fell in love with flying when she was just six. I bet you’d like it.

19. What’s your favorite thing to do outside?

I like to walk my dog. She’s my best friend and she loves to go on walks.

20. What are you writing right now?

I’m writing a mystery for kids . . . and it’s really creepy!

The Turkeybird Speaks: “That is still so cool that you can fly a plane! My mom said she wants to go to Scotland one day, probably when I’m a lot older, but she won’t fly the plane there either. I’m going to get her to pick up your picture book because it sounds very very neat!

“Thank you so much for answering my crazy questions Tami! I think I’ll be trying the bananas and chocolate very soon, they sound so so good!”

Please make sure to check out our review of The Map of Me by Tami Lewis Brown and enter to win one of two copies up for giveaway as well!

Find The Map of Me by Tami Lewis Brown at the following spots:
Powell’s Books
Indiebound
Barnes & Noble
Goodreads

Thank you so much to the publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, for sending a copy for review! Find them on Twitter, on the MacKids Blog as well as on Facebook.
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