In Max Makes a Cake, Max creates his own special Passover birthday cake for his mom. Author Michelle Edwards shares about her latest picture book and her experience with public libraries during her author blog tour. What a treat!
Photo by Random House
1) What type of stories did you most relate to as a child? How have your favorite books as a child shaped your work as a writer?
Even as a child, I loved all sorts of stories; ghost stories, family stories, fairy tales, folk tales, realistic stories, and holiday stories. I treasured my copy of The Cat in the Hat, and to this day, I often reread it to remember to use playful language and innovative illustrations. I also loved Lois Lenski’s books; Strawberry Girl, Cotton in my Sack, Mama Hattie’s Girl. Her stories, unlike the linguistic romps of Doctor Seuss, were quieter. Lois Lenski helped me to see that story is wherever I am — with Chicken Man on a kibbutz in Israel or with the Jackson Friends at a magnet school in St. Paul, Minnesota.
2) What was your personal experience going to public libraries as a child?
Photo by Michelle Edwards
This is the Troy Public Library in Troy, New York, where I grew up. How could you not fall in love with this exquisite library? The interior had a grand reading room and stained glass windows. The beauty of the building has stayed with me forever.
3) What was your inspiration for writing Max Makes a Cake?
I worked on Max Makes a Cake for many years. It was originally called A Cake for Mama and was a part of a collection of stories titled Now I am Three. I started the story when my three daughters were young children and I was close to their day to day experiences. They were spunky can-do kids, like Max. And they liked to surprise me with their homemade creations. Max grew from that.
4) Max demonstrates resourcefulness and creativity when he makes a cake for his mother. How can libraries best encourage these same traits in children?
I think when children read about other children who think outside the box, they realize they can do that, too. So when a library offers and highlights a book that shows spirit, courage, resourcefulness, and creativity, they plant the seeds for their readers to emulate those traits. And when a library takes extra steps for that book — initiating a discussion, hosting a story hour and a fun activity — they create an excitement about the book. That excitement signals to young readers, this book has an important story to tell.
5) In Max Makes a Cake, Max and his family prepare for Passover. What role do you think public libraries should play in providing resources and perspectives for children on various religions?
When I am at the Iowa City Public Library, my hometown library, I see a virtual United Nations. I hear many languages and know that those patrons and their children have their own rich heritage. I think libraries are uniquely positioned to provide their diverse communities with age-appropriate resources and perspectives on various religions and ethnic groups.
6) Max’s role as a big brother plays a significant part in how he views his relationship to his family. Why is it valuable that children see themselves and their family experiences in the books they read?
It is important for children to find themselves and their families in the books they read. And it is equally important for their peers to see them in stories and books. I think it marginalizes children when they don’t. If you can see yourself in a book, you get a sense of belonging, of being recognized. You get a validation of your experience. When my middle daughter was in second grade, her school held a Grandparent’s Day celebration. My daughter didn’t have any living grandparents to bring to the event. Although I ended up being her guest, she really didn’t have a grandparent substitute. So I wrote Zero Grandparents for all the kids who don’t have grandparents to bring to school on Grandparent’s Day. They can read it and know that they are not alone. And what’s more, their teachers and their fellow students with grandparents can also read it. I hope that it’s a story with a message for all.
Photo by Random House
7) Why is it important that children are exposed through books to characters whose families, faith, or traditions may be different from their own?
The more we read about different kinds of families, faith, and traditions, the more familiar we become with them. We become comfortable with our differences. We may realize how much we are alike in our humanity. When Lois Lenski wrote about children, no matter what their background was, I understood they were kids like me. And by understanding that, I was even curious about their customs and families. Knowing about those children, their families and communities, made me feel part of a bigger world. And isn’t that what we want for our children? To feel a part of something bigger than themselves, their families, and their schools.
8) What do you see the relationship to be between authors of children’s books and public libraries?
Authors of children’s books and public libraries are players on the same team. We are working in trenches for literacy and literature.
I was trying to find a way to squeeze in this interview one of my favorite quotes about libraries and it seems to fit this question best. It’s from an old picture book about a new immigrant to America, Gooseberries to Oranges by Barbara Cohen. “I went to the library. They gave you books for nothing. You had to bring them back, but when you did, they let you take others.”
Sometimes we forget that a library is a truly remarkable institution that labors in the service of books. Just like writers.
9) Have you spoken to groups of children in schools or public libraries? What has your experience been working with young people?
Yes. Over the years, I have presented programs at many schools and libraries. It is always an exciting experience to connect with readers. I love talking with young people, and I love hearing what they have to say. I like to show them my process, and how a story gets made from an idea. I like to bring in many images that influence my work. I find that if I make the presentation rich, our discussions are rich.
10) What has been the most rewarding aspect of writing books for children?
Wow. That’s a tough one. There are so many wonderful parts of writing and illustrating books for children. But the most rewarding part is probably the process; working with just a wisp of a story and shaping it into a book. It’s a marvelous and wonderful feeling to hold a book that begins its path as a sketch or a note scribbled on the back of a napkin.
11) What is the focus of your next writing project? Will Max and his family make another appearance in your next book?
I like to work on several projects at once. Eventually, one takes over, moves to front and center. Right now I am working on a young adult novel, a picture book story, and a new Max story. You will hear from Max again. He has more to say.
Thank you for your thoughtful questions.
Thank you for sharing about Max and your views on library services for children!
Thanks again to Michelle Edwards for appearing. For other stops on the Max Makes a Cake blog tour, please check http://michelledwards.com/.