BookView Review

 

Welcome to BookView Interview, a conversation series where BookView talks to authors.

Recently, we interviewed Steve Erickson, about his writing and his recently released children’s book, Where Do Animals Go for Vacation?, a captivatingly wacky book that is sure to be a smash hit amongst early readers. (Read the review here.)

What were your inspirations to write Where Do Animals Go for Vacation?, and how did you approach the process?

I’ve always been a big fan of nature shows and learning more about wild animals. I know kids love animals, as well. So, I decided to research animals that were the hardest working and those that lead the dullest lives and send them on well-deserved vacations the kids would love!

In addition to being the writer of Where Do Animals Go for Vacation?, you are also the illustrator! Can you tell us about your art process, as well?

I confess I hadn’t done a lot of animal drawings before doing this book, so it took a quite a bit of online research, finding images of the animals I wanted to portray. That was followed by numerous pencil sketches of each to make them both believable and whimsical. I scanned my drawings into Photoshop and did all the illustrations on a digital drawing pad. A totally new experience for me.

According to your bio, you studied art in school and have worked in art and creative direction. Although that seems quite different from illustrating children’s books, is there anything you learned from your career that helped you create your books?

So much of working in the advertising world as a creative means doing research and then putting your heart and soul into building great ideas. That ends with either the gratification of client approval … or the disappointment of their rejection. I worked in that world for decades. Writing and illustrating my books allows me to be both the creator and the client. (And I always end up getting gratifying approval!)

Did you always know you wanted to write children’s books, or was that a surprise you happened upon later in your career?

I’ve had ideas for children’s books for years. In fact, the text and first sketch of the front page of my first book, A Very Chilling Mystery, were done nearly 15 years ago. Work and family responsibilities kept me from finishing it until I retired.

Where Do Animals Go for Vacation? is your second children’s book. What did you learn from writing and publishing your debut children’s book, A Very Chilling Mystery, that you carried with you into the development of your second book?

I learned that it takes organization and discipline to get from an idea to a completed manuscript and full set of illustrations. You must be self-motivated. “Fear” is a big limiting factor, but you have to motor on no matter how scary it is to put your words and images “out there.”

What is your favorite thing about writing for kids?

A couple things. First, I get to explore that part of my brain that still holds very child-like stories. The foundation for A Very Chilling Mystery was from my very real consideration as a child that the light actually didn’t go out when the door was closed. Second, I get to watch the reactions of kids, teachers, parents, and grandchildren when they read the books. Their smiles and laughter are very fulfilling.

Are there any kids in your life you’ve had the chance to introduce Where Do Animals Go for Vacation? to? If so, we’d love to hear about their reactions!

So far, I’ve read the book to my grandchildren and to two classes of elementary school children. They all loved it (as well as their teachers) and afterwards, each student told me about their favorite animal from the book.

What’s next for you?

Right now, what’s next is focusing on getting as much publicity for Where Do Animals Go for Vacation? and get it stocked in as many bookstores as possible. I’m also hoping to get the book stocked in gift shops at zoos across the country. There are some “seeds” of other book ideas but I’m not ready to plant them yet.