Meet Susan B. Katz, Author of My Mama Earth and ABC, Baby Me!
What inspired you to become a children's author?
I remember the very first book that I published in Kindergarten. It was about my dog, Ginger, and the cover was 1970's floral wallpaper (I am dating myself, here). Then, my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Schultz, took us out to the poetry center every day and made us believe that we were real authors. In high school, I composed all of my speeches in rhyme and went on to win awards from local newspapers. After graduating from the University of Michigan, I became a Teach For America corps member and later taught overseas at the American School in Spain. I have been a bilingual educator and/or literacy consultant for the past 20 years and it is really the many wonderful children who I have had the honor of working with that inspire me to write...that, and my nephews Sam (17), David & Jacob (4 year old twins) and my nieces Sofia (7) and Kate (9).
How did you come up with the idea for My Mama Earth?
My oldest friend, also named Susan, and I were talking one day while I was driving to work. She told me that her daughter, Mackenzie, thinks that her twin aunts "hung the moon." That's where the idea was born-- and I wrote two spreads of the book in the car on my way to work. "My mama hangs the moon for me. She puts it low so I can see" and "My mama lights the millionth star. Not too close, but not too far." My work in a Costa Rican rain forest (where I spent my junior year abroad) allows me to tap into the essence of natural beauty and Mother Earth's great gifts. From there, the presentation content blossomed. I dress up as Mama Earth and incorporate props, puppets and multimedia music. SO much fun (it helps having a background in theater and being a seasoned teacher).
My Mama Earth won the 2012 Top Green Toy Award. What does that mean to you as an author?
I actually studied Environmental Issues in Latin America and Africa while at Michigan and did my junior year abroad in theCosta Rican rain forest, La Cangreja, with idealistic, environmentalist roots. Now that my career has morphed into being a children's book author, I am honored to carry the important message of marveling at and protecting our planet to children. As the Founder of ConnectingAuthors.org, a national non-profit bringing children's book authors into schools as role models of literacy and the arts, I have worked directly with the folks at Education.com (a wonderful, innovative bunch of people) and was especially honored that the award came from them.
How many books have you written?
Written? On my laptop, iphone and in notebooks, dozens...but published officially? Two. My first book was ABC, BABY ME! (Random House/Robin Corey Books, 2010) which debuted to rave reviews and sold out of its first print run in under three months! MY MAMA EARTH is my second book; however, it is my first picture book (ABC, BABY ME is a board book) so in some circles of children's book authors, it might be considered my first book in that category.
What do you hope children will learn from your book?
If children learn to connect with nature, to appreciate the animals, trees, flowers, oceans, we will have done half our job. Now, if they also learn to appreciate the special bond that they have with their own mothers, we've done our job completely.
Are you currently working on other books?
Are you kidding? I am on fire! I just got back from NYC ( I was on tour there presenting at FAO Schwarz, Fifth Ave.) where I met with my agent and editors. I have a few new titles under consideration (which means I check my email incessantly to see if there is word.) Even though I am in the midst of the MY MAMA EARTH tour, we are marketing my other manuscripts because children's books schedule out a few years in the future. I also intend to illustrate some of my forthcoming titles. I can only imagine the pride seeing my artwork in print! I do cut paper collage and can't wait to bring my color palette into book form. Melissa Launay did such a fabulous job on MY MAMA EARTH as did Alicia Padron on ABC, BABY ME. I've been lucky twice, but I do have that itch in me to illustrate my own books. What wakes me up at 2 a.m. is the writing, but what keeps me daydreaming at 2 p.m. is the illustration.
You can find out more about Susan B. Katz and her books by visiting www.susankatzbooks.com.
I remember the very first book that I published in Kindergarten. It was about my dog, Ginger, and the cover was 1970's floral wallpaper (I am dating myself, here). Then, my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Schultz, took us out to the poetry center every day and made us believe that we were real authors. In high school, I composed all of my speeches in rhyme and went on to win awards from local newspapers. After graduating from the University of Michigan, I became a Teach For America corps member and later taught overseas at the American School in Spain. I have been a bilingual educator and/or literacy consultant for the past 20 years and it is really the many wonderful children who I have had the honor of working with that inspire me to write...that, and my nephews Sam (17), David & Jacob (4 year old twins) and my nieces Sofia (7) and Kate (9).
How did you come up with the idea for My Mama Earth?
My oldest friend, also named Susan, and I were talking one day while I was driving to work. She told me that her daughter, Mackenzie, thinks that her twin aunts "hung the moon." That's where the idea was born-- and I wrote two spreads of the book in the car on my way to work. "My mama hangs the moon for me. She puts it low so I can see" and "My mama lights the millionth star. Not too close, but not too far." My work in a Costa Rican rain forest (where I spent my junior year abroad) allows me to tap into the essence of natural beauty and Mother Earth's great gifts. From there, the presentation content blossomed. I dress up as Mama Earth and incorporate props, puppets and multimedia music. SO much fun (it helps having a background in theater and being a seasoned teacher).
My Mama Earth won the 2012 Top Green Toy Award. What does that mean to you as an author?
I actually studied Environmental Issues in Latin America and Africa while at Michigan and did my junior year abroad in theCosta Rican rain forest, La Cangreja, with idealistic, environmentalist roots. Now that my career has morphed into being a children's book author, I am honored to carry the important message of marveling at and protecting our planet to children. As the Founder of ConnectingAuthors.org, a national non-profit bringing children's book authors into schools as role models of literacy and the arts, I have worked directly with the folks at Education.com (a wonderful, innovative bunch of people) and was especially honored that the award came from them.
How many books have you written?
Written? On my laptop, iphone and in notebooks, dozens...but published officially? Two. My first book was ABC, BABY ME! (Random House/Robin Corey Books, 2010) which debuted to rave reviews and sold out of its first print run in under three months! MY MAMA EARTH is my second book; however, it is my first picture book (ABC, BABY ME is a board book) so in some circles of children's book authors, it might be considered my first book in that category.
What do you hope children will learn from your book?
If children learn to connect with nature, to appreciate the animals, trees, flowers, oceans, we will have done half our job. Now, if they also learn to appreciate the special bond that they have with their own mothers, we've done our job completely.
Are you currently working on other books?
Are you kidding? I am on fire! I just got back from NYC ( I was on tour there presenting at FAO Schwarz, Fifth Ave.) where I met with my agent and editors. I have a few new titles under consideration (which means I check my email incessantly to see if there is word.) Even though I am in the midst of the MY MAMA EARTH tour, we are marketing my other manuscripts because children's books schedule out a few years in the future. I also intend to illustrate some of my forthcoming titles. I can only imagine the pride seeing my artwork in print! I do cut paper collage and can't wait to bring my color palette into book form. Melissa Launay did such a fabulous job on MY MAMA EARTH as did Alicia Padron on ABC, BABY ME. I've been lucky twice, but I do have that itch in me to illustrate my own books. What wakes me up at 2 a.m. is the writing, but what keeps me daydreaming at 2 p.m. is the illustration.
You can find out more about Susan B. Katz and her books by visiting www.susankatzbooks.com.
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012