Meet Kobsupang Robertson, Author of Howard & Chloe Go to Bunnyland
Kobsupang Robertson is the author of Howard & Chloe Go to Bunnyland which was inspired by Howard the Ragamuffin cat and the city she loves and resides in. She created the story with the support of her husband, family, and friends.
Besides the story she created, she also illustrated the characters in this book with the help of Choi Wan Chung, a freelance illustrator who sketched black and white beautiful NYC landscape. (howardandchloe.com)
BBB: What inspired you to become an author?
KR: I have loved reading books since I was a little girl. I always asked my father if I could go with him to a book store. My father would buy me books and I would read them until I fell asleep with one of my books in my hand. I had never thought I could write a story, but I was encouraged by my mother and also, my husband who constantly told me I could do this. I came up with things I was passionate about which were cats and New York City. And most importantly, Howard the Ragamuffin cat that I have known for years. I knew that I had found my main character. Once I finished my first draft, I remember the face of people I showed my story to, they really enjoyed reading it!
Besides the story she created, she also illustrated the characters in this book with the help of Choi Wan Chung, a freelance illustrator who sketched black and white beautiful NYC landscape. (howardandchloe.com)
BBB: What inspired you to become an author?
KR: I have loved reading books since I was a little girl. I always asked my father if I could go with him to a book store. My father would buy me books and I would read them until I fell asleep with one of my books in my hand. I had never thought I could write a story, but I was encouraged by my mother and also, my husband who constantly told me I could do this. I came up with things I was passionate about which were cats and New York City. And most importantly, Howard the Ragamuffin cat that I have known for years. I knew that I had found my main character. Once I finished my first draft, I remember the face of people I showed my story to, they really enjoyed reading it!
BBB: How did you come up with the idea for your book, Howard and Chloe Go to Bunnyland?
KR: I was introduced to this Korean cartoon called " There She Is" and the main characters are the cat named Nabi and the bunny called Doki. I was obsessed with them because the idea was very bizarre to me, but in a good way. Besides I love cats and bunnies. I can see that children would easily fall in love with my characters.
I also used the locations that I'm most familiar with; New York City. New Yorkers can relate to it, and I feel children who are not from here would be curious and want to know more about it. The story takes place in NYC, starting from Park Slope, Brooklyn where I had lived in for 5 years. I loved brownstones and I just had to have it in my book. I'm just glad to use other beautiful places of the Big Apple in my book as well.
Once I had these ideas in mind, I did some research about the name for my book because I didn't want to use the name that someone else already used, and I was surprised that I had not seen anything about Bunnyland and the story about a cat and bunny together as the main characters.
I want my book to teach young children something. I want them to enjoy my book and have a smile in their faces while reading it, but also learn things once they put it down and so far, I think Howard and Chloe Go to Bunnyland have done a pretty good job.
KR: I was introduced to this Korean cartoon called " There She Is" and the main characters are the cat named Nabi and the bunny called Doki. I was obsessed with them because the idea was very bizarre to me, but in a good way. Besides I love cats and bunnies. I can see that children would easily fall in love with my characters.
I also used the locations that I'm most familiar with; New York City. New Yorkers can relate to it, and I feel children who are not from here would be curious and want to know more about it. The story takes place in NYC, starting from Park Slope, Brooklyn where I had lived in for 5 years. I loved brownstones and I just had to have it in my book. I'm just glad to use other beautiful places of the Big Apple in my book as well.
Once I had these ideas in mind, I did some research about the name for my book because I didn't want to use the name that someone else already used, and I was surprised that I had not seen anything about Bunnyland and the story about a cat and bunny together as the main characters.
I want my book to teach young children something. I want them to enjoy my book and have a smile in their faces while reading it, but also learn things once they put it down and so far, I think Howard and Chloe Go to Bunnyland have done a pretty good job.
BBB: Tell us about your main characters.
KR: The main characters are Howard the Ragdoll who lives with a young couple and their four-year-old daughter, Annie. Howard loves Annie and wants to be near her. Then one day the parents bring a cute rabbit home for Annie as her birthday present. That changes everything because the rabbit, Chloe, steals all the attention and Howard doesn't like that. So, he comes up with this plan to get rid of her and that how Bunnyland comes up.
Basically, the readers would see that Howard is this cat who is very smart, confident and brave, when Chloe is the opposite. She's cute yet shy, but once you keep reading, you will see how they both have changed through this adventure and obstacles.
KR: The main characters are Howard the Ragdoll who lives with a young couple and their four-year-old daughter, Annie. Howard loves Annie and wants to be near her. Then one day the parents bring a cute rabbit home for Annie as her birthday present. That changes everything because the rabbit, Chloe, steals all the attention and Howard doesn't like that. So, he comes up with this plan to get rid of her and that how Bunnyland comes up.
Basically, the readers would see that Howard is this cat who is very smart, confident and brave, when Chloe is the opposite. She's cute yet shy, but once you keep reading, you will see how they both have changed through this adventure and obstacles.
BBB: What do you think children will enjoy most about Howard and Chloe Go to Bunnyland?
KR: I think children will enjoy the characters because I think they can relate to the story and with the nice landscape of New York City plus the characters' personalities that would keep the young reader engaged. For example, the scenes where Howard and Chloe see the Brooklyn bridge for the first time, The Plaza Hotel, when they are chased by a mean dog, or even have to take the subway for the first time. It's an adventure to young kids who have never experienced going away from home all by themselves.
BBB: Are you currently working on another book?
KR: I have just finished publishing the book, but while promoting our book on Kickstarter, I came across so many ideas of what would be my next move and I could see Howard & Chloe go to other places as well.
You can find out more about Kobsupang Robertson and her work by visiting howardandchloe.com and connecting with her on Twitter and Facebook.
KR: I think children will enjoy the characters because I think they can relate to the story and with the nice landscape of New York City plus the characters' personalities that would keep the young reader engaged. For example, the scenes where Howard and Chloe see the Brooklyn bridge for the first time, The Plaza Hotel, when they are chased by a mean dog, or even have to take the subway for the first time. It's an adventure to young kids who have never experienced going away from home all by themselves.
BBB: Are you currently working on another book?
KR: I have just finished publishing the book, but while promoting our book on Kickstarter, I came across so many ideas of what would be my next move and I could see Howard & Chloe go to other places as well.
You can find out more about Kobsupang Robertson and her work by visiting howardandchloe.com and connecting with her on Twitter and Facebook.
