{"id":2534,"date":"2013-03-19T00:01:19","date_gmt":"2013-03-19T06:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=2534"},"modified":"2013-03-19T07:45:00","modified_gmt":"2013-03-19T13:45:00","slug":"seven-questions-over-breakfast-with-lauren-stringer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=2534","title":{"rendered":"Seven Questions Over Breakfast with Lauren Stringer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

I love it. The above sketch, that is. <\/p>\n

It’s one of author\/illustrator Lauren Stringer’s<\/a><\/strong> early sketches from her newest picture book, which she both wrote and illustrated, When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky: Two Artists, Their Ballet and One Extraordinary Riot<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, released by Harcourt in early March. <\/p>\n

Have you seen this book? I recommend it, particularly for those who love the arts. It tells the true story of two early-20th century artists—the composer Igor Stravinsky<\/a><\/strong> and the danseur and choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky<\/a><\/strong>—who both yearn to make “something different and new” and who eventually collaborate on a ballet (The Rite of Spring<\/a><\/em><\/strong>), which revolutionizes music and dance. And causes a riot, no less, as the book’s delicious sub-title tells you. Stringer’s writing teems with reverence for the artists and tells a well-paced story with tension and exuberance. The brightly-colored illustrations swirl, swoop, and dip and, as Publishers Weekly<\/em> writes, make music and dance “entertaining and joyous,” bringing this momentous meeting of minds to life for young readers. <\/p>\n

Lauren’s certainly not new to picture books and I’ve read and enjoyed many of her books over the years (and those she’s illustrated for others), so I invited her over—on the occasion of this book release—to have breakfast with me and discuss her work. “I love oatmeal and fruit for breakfast,” she told me. “Just a little bit of oats mixed with a cup of blueberries and usually a whole pear chopped up with a few walnut pieces broken over the top. A splash of vanilla almond milk — and I am ready for the day. Oh! And a cup of black coffee. Still need that.” As you can see pictured above, she’s all ready to go. <\/p>\n

Let’s get the basics before our seven questions over breakfast, and I thank her for visiting. <\/p>\n

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

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

Lauren<\/font><\/strong>: I illustrate the stories of others and some of my own.<\/p>\n

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

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