{"id":2331,"date":"2012-04-17T00:01:26","date_gmt":"2012-04-17T06:01:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=2331"},"modified":"2018-08-01T14:47:26","modified_gmt":"2018-08-01T20:47:26","slug":"seven-questions-over-breakfastwith-laura-vaccaro-seeger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=2331","title":{"rendered":"Seven Questions Over Breakfast
with Laura Vaccaro Seeger"},"content":{"rendered":"

Author\/illustrator Laura Vaccaro Seeger<\/a><\/strong> has been called the “the Queen of the Concept Book” (the Horn Book<\/em>), a title she’s earned with a slew of unique and exceedingly clever picture books, ones that make the ordinary extraordinary on many levels. For her 2007 title, First the Egg<\/a><\/em><\/strong>—which earned her a 2008 Caldecott Honor<\/a><\/strong>, as well as a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor—Sara London in the New York Times<\/em> wrote<\/a><\/strong> that the “playground of perception seems to be Seeger’s most natural arena,” calling that book “a feat of ingenuity.” And you could say that ingenuity has driven many of her other beautifully-designed picture books as well (many using die-cuts), all pictured below, books in which children naturally delight in learning. “I have always been fascinated with concepts,”<\/em> Seeger stated in her 2007 Boston Globe\u2013Horn Book Award acceptance speech<\/a><\/strong> for Dog and Bear: Two Friends, Three Stories<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, “and making books is a way for me to share with children new ways to learn and conceptualize. It is my wish that my books will help children discover concepts, not just learn them \u2014 from the alphabet to colors to opposites; and on to the idea of negative space and the power of seeing, guessing and anticipating, and finding answers.”<\/em> <\/p>\n

But smart concept books aside, Seeger has also brought readers one of children’s literature’s most unforgettable and lovable duos, Dog and Bear. “What do a frisky dachshund and a slightly timid stuffed bear have in common?” she writes at her site. “They are best friends.” Dog and Bear appeared in 2007—winning many honors, including the Boston Globe\/Horn Book Award for Best Picture Book<\/a><\/strong>—in three short and endearing stories, perfect for early readers. That book was followed by two more volumes of Dog and Bear tales, stories that emanate warmth and humor. <\/p>\n

Laura’s newest title, Green<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (Neal Porter\/Roaring Brook Press, March 2012), also including die-cuts, has been met with rave reviews all-around and has even generated Caldecott buzz this early in the year. It’s just that<\/em> good. Pamela Paul describes it<\/a><\/strong> as “one of those deceptively simple picture books that to the casual bookstore browser can seem to be about nothing much at all. But the reader who settles down and slowly pages through its gorgeous acrylic paintings or, better yet, reads it aloud to a young child, will find rich rewards.” In this one, Laura explores the color green, and I boldly say that you really must get a copy of this in your very own hands and read for yourself. Laura also says a bit more about it below. <\/p>\n

I’m so glad Laura’s at the 7-Imp breakfast table this morning. Turns out that breakfast is her favorite meal of the day. (That makes two of us.) “Usually,” she told me, “I have two eggs over easy, half a grapefruit, a hollowed-out bagel with a little butter, and tea or coffee. Then I\u2019m pretty much set for the day, unless, of course, there\u2019s sushi on the menu later!”<\/p>\n

I’ll set the table, while I get the basics from her before our breakfast chat. I thank her for visiting. <\/p>\n

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

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

Laura<\/font><\/strong>: Author\/Illustrator. <\/p>\n

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

Laura<\/font><\/strong>: <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Green<\/a><\/em><\/strong>. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What If?<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Dog and Bear: Three to Get Ready<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

One Boy<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Dog and Bear: Two’s Company<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

First the Egg<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Dog and Bear: Two Friends, Three Stories<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Black? White! Day? Night! A Book of Opposites<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Walter Was Worried<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Lemons Are Not Red<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Hidden Alphabet<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I Had a Rooster<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What is your usual medium, or\u2013\u2013if you use a variety\u2014your preferred one?<\/font><\/p>\n


\n

Brushes and palette<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

Laura<\/font><\/strong>: I used to paint primarily with oils, but because I can be very impatient, I had trouble waiting for the paint to dry! Now I often paint with acrylics, but I really let the story dictate the art style. For example, for Dog and Bear<\/a><\/em><\/strong> I wanted the art to have a spontaneity about it, so I used a sketchy line of India ink and watered-down acrylic paint. For books like Green<\/a><\/em><\/strong> and First the Egg<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, I wanted the paintings to be lush, so I used a very painterly style with acrylic paint. For One Boy<\/a><\/em><\/strong> and Black\/White<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, I thought a more graphic style worked best. <\/p>\n


\n

From <\/em>Dog and Bear: Three to Get Ready<\/a><\/strong>
(Neal Porter\/Roaring Brook, 2007)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n


\n

From <\/em>Green<\/a><\/strong>
(Neal Porter\/Roaring Brook, 2012)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n


\n

From <\/em>First the Egg<\/a><\/strong>
(Neal Porter\/Roaring Brook, 2007)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n


\n

From <\/em>One Boy<\/a><\/strong>
(Neal Porter\/Roaring Brook, 2008)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n


\n

From <\/em>Black? White! Day? Night!<\/a><\/strong>
(Neal Porter\/Roaring Brook, 2006)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: If you have illustrated for various age ranges (such as, both picture books and early reader books OR, say, picture books and chapter books), can you briefly discuss the differences, if any, in illustrating for one age group to another?<\/font><\/p>\n

Laura<\/font><\/strong>: I\u2019ve illustrated primarily picture books, though my Dog and Bear<\/em> series is now published as an early reader edition, as well. Given the fact that I am an artist as well as a writer, the picture book format is really perfect for me.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: Where are your stompin\u2019 grounds?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Laura<\/font><\/strong>: I live about 35 minutes outside of New York City, on Long Island in Rockville Centre. My house is about 5 miles from the ocean, so I spend a lot of time running, walking, and writing at the beach.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: Can you briefly tell me about your road to publication?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Laura<\/font><\/strong>: I began my career as an animator in the television business. I created show openings for NBC for many years and for ABC and FOX, as well. But I\u2019d always wanted to make picture books and throughout the years, I recorded countless ideas for books in my journals. After my boys were born, I tried to continue my career in television, but decided that the time had come to try to get a book published. I was incredibly fortunate to have met my editor, Neal Porter, almost immediately. He\u2019s been my editor for each and every one of my books. <\/p>\n


\n

(Laura with Neal Porter)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

I remember the day I realized how lucky I was to have Neal as my editor. It was after my first book was published and we were meeting to talk about the possibility of a second one. I asked him what he thought made a book successful, and he told me that the best books were usually the ones that were worked on the hardest. I went home that night and began work on a new book, but as time went on, I began to feel that it just wasn\u2019t coming together. I thought about giving up on the idea, but his words echoed in my mind as I kept at it. Eventually that book did come together and became The Hidden Alphabet<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n