Narrator Interview: 20 Questions with The Narrator from The Templeton Twins Have an Idea

The 20 Question Interview with our very own Turkeybird is our feature interview that happens with all of the book authors, illustrators and poets we love!

This week we have more incredible back-to-back Turkeybird Interviews to share. Today both the Turkeybird and myself are thrilled to have the privilege of sharing an exclusive interview with none other than the Narrator behind the brilliance that is The Templeton Twins Have an Idea (by Ellis Weiner). Yes, before we get started you must know that The Narrator truly makes this book what it is and without lending his expertise the book simply would be very dull. You are all in for a treat today and so, without further hesitation on our part the Turkeybird’s 20 Question Interview with The Narrator from The Templeton Twins Have an Idea (by Ellis Weiner)…

1. How did the guy who says he wrote the book meet you?

This is a delicate subject, because he doesn’t even have the decency to admit that we have met at all. Instead, he claims that he has invented me. Can you imagine? Hint: No, you cannot. All I can tell you is that, as far as I’m concerned, he met me when I appeared to narrate “his” book.

2. Why didn’t he just write the story?

Exactly. Perhaps you should ask him. In my opinion, he realized that the expert narration of the story was simply beyond his abilities, and so he left it to me. Of course he won’t admit that. Sometimes I think we should all just humor him, and when he says, “I wrote this book” we should simply smile sympathetically and say, “Yes, of course you did.”

3. Colored Pencils or Markers?

Colored pencils.

4. Why?

Because markers are too loud, too violent, too brash, and too gaudy. They keep me awake at night. They frighten me. Colored pencils, in contrast, are tasteful and polite. And isn’t that what one wants in an art supply?

5. What’s your favorite color?

My favorite color is navy blue.

6. Why?

Because it is dignified and restful. Indeed, it is called “navy blue” because it is the official color of the U.S. Navy, whose sailors are known all over the world for how dignified and well-rested they are.

7. Do you like the pictures in the T.T. book?

I do indeed. I also like the design of the book, with its word balloons, and marginal little drawings and such.

8. How come you didn’t draw them?

There are two principle reasons I did not draw them. 1) I was in no mood to draw anything, after the extremely exhausting labor of narrating the book itself. 2) I can’t draw.

9. How do you write so many words?

It is actually easy to write a great number of words. The trick is to know which words to write, and to put them in the correct order. This idea is actually at the foundation of my theory of great literature. I define great literature as, “Literature created by writers who have chosen which words to write, and in which order, to create great literature.” I know everyone agrees with that.

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

I would probably read either Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything or Yiddish With Dick and Jane, by Ellis Weiner and Barbara Davilman.

11. Why?

Because, while I’m sure (being five) I wouldn’t understand a word of either one, nonetheless you have to start somewhere. Reading the Bittman would begin to educate me in the hows and whys and wheres and what-ifs and how-muchs and then-whats of cooking, which one does well to know for one’s entire life. I would read Yiddish With Dick and Jane to see what sort of writer Mr. Ellis Weiner is when he doesn’t have my narrative skills to hide behind.

12. Who do you think is better, John or Abigail or Dean and Dan?

Obviously, John and Abigail are “better” than Dean and Dan Dean, because the Templeton Twins are sensible, resourceful young people, and the Dean brothers are creepy and weird.

13. Do you have a favorite treat?

My favorite treat is crème brulee. This is a kind of custard with a hard, crunchy top made by aiming a small torch at its surface until the sugar in the custard is caramelized and burnt. This is a real thing, I assure you. I own a number of small torches and fire-devices for just this purpose.

14. How old are you?

I am older than the Twins and younger than their father.

15. When you were my age what was your favorite thing to do?

Read, play softball, and pop bubble wrap.

16. Swings or slides?

Swings.

17. Why?

Because slides cannot be trusted to be smooth or slick enough to work. Nothing is more heartbreaking than to climb up a great tall ladder in anticipation of a swift, delirious slide, to climb out into the pre-slide sitting position, and to push off, only to skid to a halt three inches later. With swings, at least, you know what to expect.

18. Why do you like to write books?

Because I have a part of my brain that likes to talk to another part of my brain. That—the first part—is the writer (or, at least, the narrator) part. The other part is the thing that everyone has, that reads and listens. It’s satisfying to use both parts.

19. How did you get to be so smart?

By reading. Do not tell anyone that, because if they believe it, they will read, too, and become as smart as I am, if not smarter. And that would make me feel bad.

20. What are you writing right now.

In fact I am narrating the next book in the Templeton Twins series. It will be called The Templeton Twins Make a Scene, and takes place at a performing arts academy. It will turn out to be splendid, if Mr. Ellis Weiner stays out of my way.

The Turkeybird Speaks: Mr. The Narrator, thank you so so super much for answering all of my questions! I really liked the dessert you talked about because of the torches and stuff! That sounds really neat! My mom said I’m not allowed to make it without her though, but maybe we will try it some time. It sounds really really good!

I promise I won’t tell anyone about your reading secret! My new kindergarten teacher says she likes me a lot because most of the time I like reading instead of playing and it sounds like maybe one day I might be as smart as you because of all of my reading. I can’t wait! I would like being super smart! It would be okay if just I was as smart, right?

Thank you again Mr. The Narrator! Your answers were super great! I’m going to start learning to cook using that book you mentioned too! Thank you!

Make sure to follow along the rest of The Templeton Twins Have an Idea Blog Tour by following the Tumblr site as well as on Twitter using the hashtag #TheTTNarrator. Also, be sure to stop by later to enter to win an autographed copy of The Templeton Twins Have an Idea and to read our review of this phenomenal book!

Find The Templeton Twins Have an Idea by Ellis Weiner and Illustrated by Jeremy Holmes at the following spots:
Amazon | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Barnes & Noble Nook | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Thank you so much to the publisher, Chronicle Books, for providing a copy of this book for review! Connect with them on Twitter, on Facebook and on Pinterest!
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