{"id":2610,"date":"2013-07-30T00:05:14","date_gmt":"2013-07-30T06:05:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=2610"},"modified":"2013-07-30T00:05:14","modified_gmt":"2013-07-30T06:05:14","slug":"seven-questions-over-breakfast-with-aaron-zenz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=2610","title":{"rendered":"Seven Questions Over Breakfast with Aaron Zenz"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, I’m having breakfast with author\/illustrator Aaron Zenz<\/a><\/strong>, whose work is very much geared at toddlers and preschoolers. And this, I think, is something I don’t do enough here at 7-Imp — invite to the breakfast table, that is, those whose work is geared specifically at the crowd of very, very young, wee ones. <\/p>\n

This isn’t Aaron’s first visit to 7-Imp. His bright, slapstick illustrations for The Hiccupotamus<\/a><\/strong><\/em> are featured in this older post<\/a><\/strong> (2009). As you’ll read below, that was Aaron’s debut title, and it’d be perfect for a preschool read-aloud or for the very youngest of listeners, filled with spot-on rhymes as it is, all hyper-outrageous and fun. His colorful, uncluttered colored pencil illustrations are gentle and full of cheer. As I’ve written before, your lap-sitters will take in these images with big, happy eyes. “Breezy” is a descriptor Kirkus<\/em> has used to describe his art. <\/p>\n

Aaron also visited here<\/a><\/strong> in 2011, showing some art from his newest title then, Chuckling Ducklings<\/a><\/strong><\/em> (which Betsy Bird also covered<\/a><\/strong> the same year). <\/p>\n

And, as those of you who regularly read blogs probably know, his family’s book review blog, Bookie Wookie<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, is one of the greatest treasures of the so-called kidlitosphere. <\/p>\n

Aaron’s having cereal with me this morning, since he describes himself as a cereal man. “I eat cereal all day long,” he said. “Breakfast. Lunch. Snacks. Our family sits down all together every day for a big dinner, but outside of that meal, I tend to eat cereal, cereal, cereal. And in particular, I have to have cereal for breakfast. If I eat something else instead—a doughnut or a bagel or pancakes—I\u2019ll feel off for the rest of the day.”<\/p>\n

Cereal it is—I’ll set out my most colorful cereal bowls for his visit—and I’ll get out some coffee for myself. <\/p>\n

I thank Aaron for visiting. Let’s get right to it. <\/p>\n

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

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

Aaron<\/font><\/strong>: Happily doing both!<\/p>\n


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Illustrations and cover from <\/em>Chuckling Ducklings<\/a><\/strong> (Walker Childrens, 2011)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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

Aaron<\/font><\/strong>: Authored and illustrated: <\/p>\n