{"id":1567,"date":"2009-01-26T23:55:10","date_gmt":"2009-01-27T05:55:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1567"},"modified":"2010-10-23T08:09:33","modified_gmt":"2010-10-23T14:09:33","slug":"seven-questions-over-breakfast-with-laurie-keller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1567","title":{"rendered":"Seven Questions Over Breakfast with Laurie Keller"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"LaurieDevoted Readers of 7-Imp With Good Memories may recollect that, back in November of ’07<\/strong><\/a>, author Jack Gantos<\/strong><\/a> stopped by and sung the praises of author\/illustrator Laurie Keller<\/strong><\/a>. Well, what a good reminder that was that I’d love to chat with her one day. Over one year later (hey, sometimes I’m just really slow) and after the birth of the handy-dandy seven-
questions-over-
breakfast illustrator interview, here we are. <\/p>\n

Laurie’s here to join me for breakfast, and can I just tell you how fun it is to chat with her over a cyber-breakfast and how much I wish it were a REAL, in-person breakfast in her cottage in Michigan? Any hugely huge fan of Waiting for Guffman<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, a movie I’ve seen PRECISELY seven blajillion times and can probably quote to everyone’s great irritation, is a friend of mine. But I’m getting ahead of myself. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

So, thank goodness Laurie’s here for a chat to talk about her books and her very fun art, as I’ve been a fan for years. Laurie’s breakfast-of-choice, you ask? “Well, I’m actually not a big breakfast eater (what a way to start your interview). Most days it’s just coffee. Sometimes I’ll have some yogurt or fruit or toast.<\/font> My boyfriend makes fantastic fried eggs and potatoes that we indulge in every so often. And I sure enjoy the occasional doughnut — for breakfast or otherwise. But back to the coffee. While I do make it nice and strong, I feel I must disclose at this point that I load it up with a good amount of Coffee Mate French Vanilla creamer. I used to be a black coffee drinker, but a couple of years ago I was lured over to the light side by the forces that be.”<\/em> <\/p>\n

Coffee? Check. Doughnut? Check. French Vanilla creamer. Oh twist my arm, Laurie. (I’m so<\/em> all about that idea.)<\/p>\n

Have you seen Laurie’s new book? Fans of 1998’s The Scrambled States of America<\/strong><\/a><\/em> (published by Henry Holt) will be happy to know the new title is a sequel, pictured above, in which those wacky states decide to have a talent show. Geography has never been so fun — again. <\/p>\n

“It all started quite simply, really. In the middle of the night, New York woke up from a dream and shouted…”<\/em><\/p>\n


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There’s a lot to enjoy here (though Kirkus<\/em> wins the best line for writing in their review, “this exuberant geographical jamboree will definitely leave readers in a state”), as with all her titles thus far, including Laurie’s clever character asides, one of the many rewards of reading her books; her colorful collage illustrations, always a visual treat; her ability to bring us stories from the most unexpected points-of-view and make them work<\/em> (doughnuts, states, teeth); and her rampant imagination at work. I believe the New York Times<\/em> once referenced her “goofball genius” in their review of Arnie the Doughnut<\/strong><\/a><\/em>. Really, anyone who can bring us art like this…<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

…wins my life-long devotion as a reader. And her work is always upbeat — a sort of offbeat<\/em>-upbeat, too. In reviewing Arnie<\/em>, Kirkus also described her illustrations as “frenetic {and} postmodern.” Bottom line: You always get surprises with Laurie’s art. And you’re almost guaranteed great chuckles from the children with whom you share her books. <\/p>\n

Let’s get the basics from Laurie while we set the table for our coffee and doughnuts. Mmm. Doughnuts. (Is there anything they can’t do?)<\/p>\n

* * * * * * *<\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Are you an illustrator or author\/illustrator?<\/font><\/p>\n

Laurie<\/font><\/strong>: I’m trying with all my might to be an author\/illustrator. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Can you list your books-to-date?<\/font><\/p>\n

Laurie<\/font><\/strong>: The books that I’ve written and illustrated are: <\/p>\n