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 extremely excited to share a favorite author of his and his mom’s, Keith Graves. Graves is most well known for his numerous picture books, but recently released an amazing middle grade book titled The Orphan of Awkward Falls. We’ll be posting a review shortly, but until then we wanted to share a little more about this great author! So, without further hesitation on our part, the Turkeybird’s 20 question interview with Keith Graves…

1. Do you like writing or drawing better?

I like writing better sometimes, and drawing/painting better other times.

2. Why?

Some days it just feels better to tell a story with words instead of pictures, and some days it’s just the opposite. When I want to describe an action scene, words are usually best. When I want to describe a character, I reach for my pencil.

3. When you were my age did you like to draw?

I always liked to draw. My first really cool picture was of my bike. I had a very sweet bike.

4. What did you draw the most?

I drew cartoon characters, monsters and cars mostly. As a teen I began to draw rock band posters.

5. Wow! You built a nuclear submarine! Did you get it to work?

It almost worked. My friends and I couldn’t find any plutonium in the garage, so we used Alka Seltzer tablets instead. LOTS of them. Not a great idea.

6. Crayons or Markers?

I always liked both.

7. Why?

Markers for graphics, crayons for dramatic landscapes.

8. What’s your favorite color?

Red

9. Have you ever gone possum hunting?

Never. The only thing I hunt is my cat when she gets out. But I don’t shoot her, I just give her some milk.

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

Curious George

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

I like apple pie with cheese on top. You heard me. Cheese.

12. What kind of sandwich will you be having in two weeks from now?

Who knows? My new favorite is avocado and tomato. Next week I’m thinking something involving peanut butter and some kind of fruit.

13. Swings or Slides?

I’m a slide guy. The higher the better.

14. Why?

Because you go somewhere.

15. Do you have a favorite animal?

Gila Monsters. They’re really scary.

16. Monsters or Chickens?

Both, obviously.

17. Why?

If you have to ask…

18. Do you like writing books for big kids or little kids better?

Why do you keep asking these difficult questions? I like writing for both. When I feel all ‘wordy’ I go for the older stuff. When I feel all ‘picturey’ I do a picture book for the young set.

19. What did you dress up as for Halloween?

I was a guy with a giant green hat, a fake mustache and extremely shiny shoes with chains for laces.

20. What are you drawing right now?

A gorilla named Bubbles and a monkey named Oop. They’re cracking me up.

The Turkeybird Speaks: “Wow! Thanks for the great interview Keith! Next time I’ll make sure to stick to my easier questions though. I think your answer was great for which books you like writing the most, even if I think I like your kids books way more! (My mom’s the one who likes the ‘wordy’ stuff.)

“So, apple with cheese on top? I don’t know ’bout that. I really super super love cheese, but apples? Wouldn’t they ruin it? My mom says no, but I’m just not sure about that. I think you’re being silly. I’m really happy you don’t really go possum hunting though, I’m a vegetarian!

“Thank you again Mr. Graves! That was a super fun and very silly interview! I loved it!”

Find The Orphan of Awkward Falls by Keith Graves at the following spots:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Today’s post is part of our month long celebration of Chronicle Books for our monthly feature “Book Publishers 101“. Make sure to stop by the Chronicle Books for more information about this title and more. For more information about our Book Publishers 101 feature take a look at this month’s opening post.

Make sure to take a look at this month’s Book Publishers 101 feature giveaway as well, for your chance to win some fantastic books from Chronicle Books!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Chronicle Books, for coordinating many of this month’s features and reviews! Connect with them on Twitter and on Facebook!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our various affiliate relationships.

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 extremely excited to share a favorite author of his, Kate Messner. Her two most recent picture books, Over and Under the Snow as well as Sea Monster’s First Day are two of the Turkeybird’s favorite reads as of late. Obviously, he was thrilled to be able to interview Kate! So, without further hesitation on our part, the Turkeybird’s 20 question interview with Kate Messner…

1. Cold or warm blooded animals?

Hmm…tough question. I bet most people say warm blooded, but the truth is that animals with fur make me sneeze, even though they’re cute. And I’m a frog and snake fan, so I guess I’ll say cold-blooded.

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

I’ve always loved to read, from the time I could hold a book (and probably even before then!) I grew up the youngest in a big, busy family, and I was always on the lookout for someone to read to me. Sometimes, I’d even stalk my parents’ dinner guests to find a reader. My mom still has a photograph of a three-year-old me lurking near the table with a pile of books.

3. Did you like to write?

I loved to write, and I started writing stories in first or second grade. Mostly, they were about school and my friends, and I liked to write poetry about nature, too. I still like writing about all those things!

4/5. Crayons or Markers? Why?

Crayons! Markers get all smudgy on your hands.

6/7. Is your favorite color still bright blue? Why?

Yep, I still love bright blue. I think that’s because it’s the color of the sky on a bright, clear day.

8. When your kids were my age what did you like to read to them?

We loved both picture books and chapter books, so we read a little of everything then. Some favorite pictures books were Cynthia Rylant’s THE RELATIVES CAME and Jane Yolen’s OWL MOON. For longer books, we loved CHARLOTTE’S WEB and of course, the Harry Potter series.

9. Do you like the cold or the warm out? (ie. winter or summer)

Am I allowed to cheat and say both? I live in Northern New York, almost all the way to Canada, so while we appreciate our lovely, warm summers on Lake Champlain, I also adore a good snowstorm. I love cross country skiing, too!

10. Did you dress up for Halloween?

No. Isn’t that sad? But when I took my daughter out trick-or-treating, I told people I was dressed as a sleepy mom.

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

Oh, Turkeybird…we are kindred spirits. I am a serious chocolate lover. Sea-salt chocolate caramels are my favorite.

12. Why do you like to write?

I could probably write a whole book answering this question, but I’ll give you the biggest reasons. Writing has always helped me figure out who I am and what I believe. Plus I really love making stuff up.

13. Lakes or the ocean? We live next to the ocean and it is so neat!

Oohhhh…I have to cheat again and say both. I love the ocean, too. I get to spend time on the Gulf of Mexico when I visit my parents in Florida, and we also try to get to the ocean in New England each summer. But I live on Lake Champlain, which is a lovely, cool, northern lake with mountains on both sides. It’s beautiful, and it’s home.

14. What’s your favorite word? (Mine is silly, right now.)

Serendipitous. I’m also fond of nefarious, cantankerous, and subnivean.

15. Why?

I like the way those words taste in my mouth.

16. Monsters or Aliens?

Monsters, obviously. (Especially sea monsters!)

17. Why?

Aliens are always too impressed with themselves just because of the whole “I’m-from-another-galaxy” thing.

18/19. Do you like writing for little kids or older kids better? How come?

What I really love is being able to write for all different ages, depending on what’s interesting to me at the time and what kind of writing mood I’m in. Even though I’m grown up now, I still feel like I’m still all those different kid-ages inside, so different parts of me love different kinds of books.

20. What are you writing right now?

Right now, I am working on a new book about Ernest the Sea Monster as well as a mystery novel set in Washington D.C., Boston, and Latin America.

The Turkeybird Speaks: “Thanks for the super interview Ms. Messner! I’m super excited to try some of that chocolate you talked about! And you know what? I think my mom dressed up as the same thing for Halloween!

“I’m a monster guy too! I only have one book with aliens and I think the books with monsters are way more fun.

“Thank you again Ms. Messner for the really fun interview and all of your great answers!”

Find Sea Monster’s First Day by Kate Messner and Illustrated by Andy Rash at the following spots:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Find Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner and Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal at the following spots:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Today’s post is part of our month long celebration of Chronicle Books for our monthly feature “Book Publishers 101“. Make sure to stop by the Chronicle Books for more information about this title and more. For more information about our Book Publishers 101 feature take a look at this month’s opening post.

Also be sure to take a look at this month’s Book Publishers 101 feature giveaway as well, for your chance to win some fantastic books from Chronicle Books!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Chronicle Books, for coordinating many of this month’s features and reviews! Connect with them on Twitter and on Facebook!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our various affiliate relationships.

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 extremely excited to share an interview with an author that his sister, Littlebug, and his mom can’t get enough of! He also would like to keep it quiet that he actually really loved listening to his mom read the newest book to his sister, so don’t tell anyone! So, without further hesitation on our part, Annie Barrows as interviewed by the Turkeybird…

1. Do you ever think you will write a book about/for boys?

I’m not sure. I like boys. Boys are funny. But I don’t understand them—why why why did my friend Will jump down my laundry chute and land on his head on my washing machine? I’m hoping that some boys like Ivy and Bean even though it’s about girls.

2. What’s the best thing you’ve ever learned about? (I just learned about fossils in rocks!)

KOMODO DRAGONS! Their spit is poison! They don’t poop!

3. Crayons or Markers?

Markers.

4. Why?

Crayons smell better, but their color is too light.

5. I have a little sister and you are a little sister. What would be the best thing I could do for/with her?

Let her play with your stuff. That way, if you really really don’t want her to play with something, she’ll probably listen to you.

6. What’s your favorite color?

Yellow (today)

7. Are you sure there aren’t alligators in the sewer?

Well, okay, there was AN alligator in A sewer once, but it was a long time ago, and all the alligator specialists were pretty surprised about it. Alligators are cold-blooded so they need to bask in the sun to get warm, and guess what? There’s no sun in a sewer. So it’s really really unlikely that an alligator would be in a sewer.

8. Why?

See what I said up there.

9. When your daughters were my age what did they like you to read to them?

We read a lot, but some of our favorites were Lilly and the Purple Plastic Purse, Sunday Morning, Moonlight, the books about Alfie and Annie Rose, the Max and Ruby books, and Sweet Dream Pie.

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

Buttered toast.
[short break while I go get some]

11. When you were my age did you like to write?

When I was your age, I could barely hold a pencil. I liked to pick papers out of the garbage can and pretend I could write.

12. Do you like writing for grown-ups or kids better? (I think grown-ups sound boring, kids are way more fun!)

It’s a secret. I don’t want to hurt grownups’ feelings.

13. How could breaking your toe be a good thing? (That seems very silly!)

The actual breaking of the toe wasn’t much fun (OW!) but I was happy because it meant I didn’t have to go on a week-long camping trip with my class. Whew.

14. Swings or slides?

Swings.

15. Why?

It’s a tough choice, because I like them both, but I’d pick swings because they’re more like flying.

16. Do you really believe in ghosts?

Yes.

17. Why?

Because my cousins used to live in a house that had a ghost. It whistled.

18. Can you tell me my fortune? (That would be super cool!)

I can’t tell it from a distance. I have to be in the same room with you.

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

There’s this great game that my kids play—you jump off a ladder onto the trampoline and boing off the trampoline onto the grass—but I’m too old for that. I’d probably break my nose. So I guess I’d have to say lying in a hammock.

20. What are you writing right now?

I just finished writing the ninth Ivy and Bean book, but I can’t tell you what it’s about because it’s a secret. I’m also writing an enormous book for grownups.

The Turkeybird Speaks: “That was the best interview! Thank you so much Ms. Barrows! Those Komodo Dragons sound so cool! Next time my mom takes us to the book store or library I’m going to look for a book all about them.

“So my mom said that I’m not allowed to try that whole ladder jumping on the trampoline on the ground thing until I get a lot older. And then she said I shouldn’t tell her when I first do it. Isn’t that funny?

“Well, I really hope that guy who jumped down your laundry chute tells you why sometime because think you would write a really funny book about boys! Maybe you could write one about boys who jump down laundry chutes? That would be super funny! Next time you come by where we live my mom said we will come see you to have you sign our books, but I’m just hoping you’ll tell me my fortune. I can’t wait! Thank you again for the great interview!”

Find Ivy and Bean No News Is Good News by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall at the following spots:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Today’s post is part of our month long celebration of Chronicle Books for our monthly feature “Book Publishers 101“. Make sure to stop by the Chronicle Books for more information about this title and more. For more information about our Book Publishers 101 feature take a look at this month’s opening post.

Make sure to take a look at this month’s Book Publishers 101 feature giveaway as well, for your chance to win a copy of Ivy and Bean No News Is Good News!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Chronicle Books, for coordinating many of this month’s features and reviews! Connect with them on Twitter and on Facebook!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our various affiliate relationships.

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 has the wonderful opportunity of sharing with you his interview with a favorite author of his and Littlebug’s, Meg Medina the author of Tia Isa Wants a Car. His little sister had the chance to review Meg’s book just a few weeks ago and now we’re excited to share the Turkeybird’s interview with the fantastic author. So, without further hesitation on our part, the Turkeybird’s 20 Question interview with Meg Medina…

1. Why do you like to write?

I have always been fond of pretending. When I was little, I liked to pretend I was a genie in a bottle. I made long hair out of tights that I wore on my head by the waistband. I can’t really walk around that way as an adult without getting into trouble. So, I write stories and I give all my favorite pretend moments to my characters.

2. Do you like writing for big kids or little kids better? (i.e.  Adult/YA or picture books)
3. Why?

Oh! Don’t make me decide such things! I like writing for both. It just depends on the story.  I like the sweetness of picture books and the way the pictures add a whole new piece to the story. I also like the challenge of writing a big idea in few words – which is how picture books work. But sometimes the story I have in mind is long and the people it happens to are older. In that case, I let myself enjoy the space I have to tell their tale. Having more pages gives me a chance to really fill out the character’s quirks, gifts, and trouble spots. I also let myself enjoy the idea that someone is going to be lounging with this story for a few days. 

4. Crayons or Markers?
5. Why?

If you must know, neither. It’s oil pastels that I love. Have you ever drawn an ocean or sky with oil pastels? I love the messiness and the oily feeling of drawing with them. Here are two of my favorite colors: Celestial Blue and Cerulean Blue.

6. What’s your favorite color?

Purple…the dark kind, like an eggplant. When I see that color, I think of the word “lush.”

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

Yes, I did, but I was also very active, so reading was something I grew into, as I got older and calmer.

8. Did you have a favorite book?
9. Which one?
10. Why?

Don’t laugh. When I was four, it was the encyclopedia!  My mother bought us the World Book Encyclopedia. It was a big set of books that basically told you a little bit about everything you wanted to know. (We didn’t have the Internet, so that was the best way to learn about a topic.) There was the adult collection, all alphabetized with shiny gold letters on the spine. But there was also a junior edition. It was divided into 24 volumes that included Fairy Tales and Folk Tales of the World; Science and Experiments; World Cultures and Customs; and my very favorite, Make and Do. I used to love to read the directions on how to make projects like bedroom slippers out of cardboard and felt.  My mom still has that collection in her house.

11. If you were four right now what would you read next?

You are so lucky to have so many good choices!  Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee; Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein; Art and Max by David Wiesner; A Sick Day for Amos McGee; Once Upon a Twice by Denise Doyen; Martina the Beautiful Cockroach, by Carmen Agra Deedy. I would read Kevin Henkes’ books over and over again; I would read Doctor DeSoto by William Stieg.  I would also read The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick with my mom or dad. I could go on and on and on.

12. My mom said you like these chewy chocolate treats, they sound great! My mom also said I can’t have any, what other treat would you give me?

What? No Milk Duds?  I suppose they could rip your nice teeth right out of your head. Really, I love anything that is chocolate. But if we’re looking for something healthy and yummy, I would offer you a slice ice-cold watermelon. That, or a Virginia peach in the summer.

13. I love to collect rocks! Do you like rocks?
14. Why?

I like river rocks because they are so smooth and the colors are so pretty. I also love the gigantic rocks jutting out of the Pacific Ocean. I don’t collect those because they are too big.

15. Did you do anything fun for summer vacation?

I went to the beach with my family. We rent a house that overlooks the water. The ocean is my favorite place in the world.

16. My dad speaks Spanish and English too! I’m trying to learn both. What is the best thing about speaking both?

¡Que bien! The best part is that I have so many words in my head to say something. Cup, mug, taza. House, home, casa, hogar.   Silly, dummy, bobo.  See?  I wish everyone could speak lots and lots of languages.

17. Cats or Dogs?
18. Why?

Absolutely both.  I love my dog, Noche, because he is fun and faithful.

 He wakes me up every morning by walking to my side of the bed and nudging me with his snout. I also love my cat, Wolfe, because while he is sweet to people, he is a tough guy when he has to be. Look at the present he left me. Yes, that is half a mouse.  It’s gross, but I think he was trying to help save my garden. The rodents have eaten everything!

19. Do you like the wintertime? We used to live in Virginia and I loved the snow!

Oh, me too. I love the snow. Here is a picture of my house after a snowstorm last year!

20. What are you writing right now?

I am getting ready for my new book, The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind to publish in March. Here’s the cover:

 That’s for older readers. I am also writing another novel called, Finding Yaqui Delgado, which is about a girl named Piddy who has to face down the school bully. After that, I really want to start a new manuscript for a picture book. I will keep you posted.

The Turkeybird Speaks: “Thank you so much Ms. Medina! I’m so hoping you keep writing more books for kids my age because both Littlebug and me really love your book! Plus, maybe if I get to interview you again we can work on my mom and the Milk Dud issue. Those sound so yummy!

“My mom just got your new book in the mail and she keeps trying to read it, but I told her she has to wait until I go to bed. I want her to read to me instead!

“Thank you again for the great interview! I’m going to have to try using pastels next time my mom does an art project with us, and I can’t wait! Good luck with all your new books!”

Find Tia Isa Wants A Car by Meg Medina at the following spots:
Amazon
Powell’s Books
Indiebound
Barnes & Noble
Goodreads

Thank you so much to the publisher, Candlewick Press, for providing a copy of Tia Isa Wants a Car for review and putting us in touch with Meg for the interview! Connect with them on Twitter and on Facebook!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our various affiliate relationships.
Meg Medina’s photo by Gabrielle Pedraja

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 has the wonderful opportunity of sharing with you his interview with a favorite author of his mom’s, Anne Ursu. Her upcoming novel with Walden Pond Press, Breadcrumbs, is due out in September and she recently stopped by to talk about her favorite childhood reads (so worth reading).  Anne also happens to have a little boy just about the same age as the Turkeybird, which may make this interview that much more interesting! So, without further hesitation on our part, the Turkeybird’s 20 Question interview with Anne Ursu…

1. My favorite “fairytale” right now is the 3 Little Pigs. Which one is your do like so so much?
I’ve always loved Hansel and Gretel. I have a wonderful big brother, and I think I liked how they take care of each other.

2. Why do you like to write? It seems like it might get boring.
I try very hard to keep it interesting. If the stuff I’m writing is more boring than daily life, it’s likely that I need to write something better.

3. Lakes or the ocean? We live next to the ocean and it is so neat!
I love being near the ocean, but I am always afraid that if I go in something will try to eat me. That happens less often with lakes.

4. Kids books sound like more fun to me, the only pictures on my mom & dad’s books are on the outside! Which do you like better kid books or my mom & dad’s (adult) books?
Kids’ books are objectively more fun. This is an absolute truth in the universe.

5. Crayons or Markers?
Crayons.

6. Why?
I always get markers all over my hands and then look like I have a strange tropical disease.

7. What’s your favorite color?
Purple.

8. Wallace & Gromit or Shaun the Sheep? I really like them both, so it’s hard to pick.
It’s a hard question. I used to have a Shaun the Sheep backpack, and once used it to deflect a swan that was trying to attack me. So I guess my ultimate loyalty has to be with Shaun.

9. Do you have a favorite treat? (Mine is anything chocolate!)
When it comes to treats, I try not to discriminate, as they all have things that make them special. I am a particular fan of chocolate chip cookies, and anything ice-cream related.

10. Baseball or basketball?
Baseball. Baseball is better than everything.

11. Zeus or King Imhotep?
Zeus. Always pick the guy who can hurl lightning bolts.

12. I love to collect rocks! Do you like rocks?
I must admit, I’ve never thought about this before.

13. Why?
This is a very good question.

14. When you were my age did you like to read?
Yes. I read all the time. I used to curl up in the basement and read for hours. Only now do I realize how much my mother must have appreciated this.

15. What did you like to read?
I had a book of Greek myths that I loved. I loved fairy tales and Dr. Seuss. My favorite book at your age was There’s A Monster At The End of the Book.

16. Cats or Dogs?
Both.

17. Why?
It’s my destiny to live on a farm and have about 100 rescue dogs and cats. They need me.

18. My mom says you have a son about my age, what book do you love reading the very most to him.
I have a four year old boy named Dash. He’s getting into fairy tales, and we really like Lucy Cousins’ Yummy.

19. What’s your favorite thing to do outside? I love going to the park!
I love to bike. And play catch with Dash. And eat ice cream.

20. What are you writing right now?
This, too, is a very good question. I’m just getting an idea and I need to read a lot to figure out what to do from here. And maybe eat some chocolate chip cookies.

The Turkeybird Speaks: “Thank you Ms. Ursu for answering my crazy questions! But now that I know about your son they probably aren’t that crazy to you, are they? I’ve already told my mom we have to try and find Yummy at the bookstore because the wolf on the front is so funny looking and the little girl looks like my sister Littlebug a little bit and it’s yellow and I think I’d really like it! Thanks!

“I really hope you get to have that farm with all the cats and dogs! I think Dash would love it because I know I would love it, it sounds so cool!

“Thanks again Ms. Ursu! I hope you do super good with your new book because my mom says it’s super super good and she always picks the best books. Oh, and it should also do super good because you like Shaun the Sheep and I think everyone should like him. Now I need to get one of those backpacks, it sounds so cool!”

Pre-order Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu at the following spots:
Amazon
Powell’s Books
Indiebound
Goodreads

Today’s post is part of our month long celebration of Walden Pond Press for our monthly feature “Book Publishers 101“. Make sure to stop by the Walden Pond Press Site for more information about this title and more. For more information about our Book Publishers 101 feature take a look at this month’s opening post.

Make sure to stop by our huge month long giveaway from Walden Pond Press, including Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu!

Thank you to Walden Pond Press for providing this book for review! Find Walden Pond Press on Twitter and Facebook!

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 has the wonderful opportunity of sharing with you his interview with a favorite author of his mom’s as well as one he’s looking forward to reading in the next few years, Chris Rylander. His recent debut novel, The Fourth Stall was reviewed here at There’s A Book and the sequel, The Fourth Stall Part II, is due to be released in February of 2012, just look at the new cover we debuted it’s amazing! Chris is an author who understands what boys love to read, how they think and is able to easily translate that to incredible books! So, without further hesitation on our part, the Turkeybird’s 20 Question interview with Chris Rylander…

1. I’m only four. When do you think I should start my own “business”?
As soon as you’re ready! I mean, most babies already have their own business’ going. They basically just lay around looking all adorable and then get showered with free food, toys, clothes, and waited on hand and foot by a team of servants (usually parents.) I mean, how do I get in on that racket?

2. Sharks or Unicorns?
Sharks. As much as I love a good old-fashioned unicorn, I can’t ever pick against sharks.

3. I really like your drawings on your website; the stick man was pretty funny and I really like zombies and sharks! Will you draw me a picture?
Thanks! I’ll try to get a new drawing posted soon…

4. If you play outside do you always play baseball? That sounds super super cool.
Haha, I wish that was true! The thing is, once you’re my age it’s hard to find enough people who want to play baseball to get an actual game going. So usually I just play catch with a few people or we take turns hitting fly balls to each other. I also play tennis a lot more often these days. But I’d still love to play a real game of baseball or football if I could ever get enough people rounded up…

5. Why do you like a team that never wins the big big game?
I wish I knew! I’ve loved the Cubs every since I can remember. Of course back then when I was four years old myself, I didn’t know they were so terrible!

6. Crayons or Markers?
Ooh, it depends on what I’m using them for. If I’m drawing on walls or my arms, then definitely marker, the more permanent, the better.

7. Why?
See above for markers… but for when I like using crayons it’s because of how many colors there are to pick from!

8. What’s your favorite color?
Green or purple.

9. I’m going to school soon, what did you do when you met a mean kid at school?
I basically just ignored them. The annoying kids thrive on knowing they’re bothering you, so if you never let it show then they’ll eventually leave you alone. And if they don’t, then make them. In 9th grade there was this kid who sat behind me in science who never would leave me alone, he was always poking my neck with his pencil or flicking my ears and I always warned him that it was in his best interest to stop doing that. I warned him many times. But, he didn’t listen. So one day I brought a huge black marker with me and when he started up, I turned around and quickly drew a big black line across his face and then also one on his jeans for good measure. And he never bothered me again.

10. Do you still have friends from when you were my age?
I don’t, my oldest friendship goes back to 9th grade, but back then we weren’t even very close friends. My oldest really close friendship is with my wife, who I met when I was 17.

11. What’s your favorite word? Right now I really like “underpants”.
Stuff. I love the word “stuff” because it’s so versatile. That and “thing” is also another great, versatile word.

12. If you were four what would you read next?
I’d read the Wayside School books by Louis Sachar, definitely.

13. What is the best cereal in the whole world? I’d pick Lucky Charms or Cocoa Puffs.
For me, it would have to be Oatmeal Squares or Corn Bran. Any of those Quaker brand cereals, they’re all amazing.

14. I love my Legos! What is your most favorite toy ever?
Oh, good question. It’s a tie between all of the video game systems I ever owned, Nerf guns, and Pirate and Star Wars Legos. Although back when I was a kid they didn’t make actual Star Wars Legos so we had to build our own, which in some ways was even more fun than building the new Star Wars Legos (which I do own quite a few of those now, though.)

15. Do you have a favorite animal?
Shark!

16. Why?
I don’t know, there’s just something so fascinating about them. Like they’re this ultimate predator, but also just a fish. But they’re not really like other fish in a lot of ways and there’re a lot of mysterious things about them. They’re very unique compared to how other animals act.

17. My mom says you like music, what kind of music?
Lots of different kinds: Punk, Indie, Folk, Rock, anything with good lyrics that sounds different than most of the stuff on the radio.

18. It sounds kind of boring to write all the time, do you like to write?
I love it! It’s so much fun.

19. Why?
Because there is something so cool about creating whole worlds and characters and getting to control everything they do. And then when people read that story, the people you created come to life in a certain way. So, like, I get to create “real” people and control everything that they do! Which sounds kind of creepy, I guess, now that I reread it back to myself. Also, writing just amuses me… I laugh a lot when I’m writing, which probably makes me look crazy when I’m doing it.

20. What are you writing right now?
I’m working on The Fourth Stall Part III.

The Turkeybird Speaks: “Thanks so much Chris! So I’m trying to talk my mom into some Star Wars Legos now that she talked to me about it in your answers. They looked so cool from what I saw!

“Oh, so I tried using the markers on my face like you said and it was way cool, but my mom didn’t like it as much as I did. She did take pictures and send them to everyone which was so embarrassing, but after that she made me take a bath!

“Thank you for stopping by Chris! It was super cool to have such a neat dude answer all my crazy questions. I can’t wait until I’m a little older and can read all of your books, they look so so good!”

Find The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander at the following spots:
Amazon
Powell’s Books
Indiebound
Barnes & Noble
Goodreads

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