An interview with the authors, Steve....
Spotlight On
Janet Stevens & Susan Stevens Crummel
The dynamic sister team of Plaidypus Lost have created a charming, and raucous, new read-aloud about a rambunctious herding dog in search of an animal he has never seen before—a cow!
The dynamic sister team of Plaidypus Lost have created a charming, and raucous, new read-aloud about a rambunctious herding dog in search of an animal he has never seen before—a cow!
Janet Stevens’s books have won many awards, including a Caldecott Honor. Her books have been named American Library Association Notable Books. Janet wrote Find a Cow NOW! with her sister, Susan, and created all the illustrations herself. She is the illustrator of the popular Anansi books written by Eric A. Kimmel. Janet lives in Boulder, Colorado.
Susan Stevens Crummel has written many best-selling picture books with her sister, Janet. These marvelous books have included a Time Magazine’s Top 10 Children’s Book and winners of the Texas Bluebonnet Award and other state awards. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas.
Inside Find a Cow NOW! An Interview with author Susan Stevens Crummel
Q: What was the inspiration behind Find a Cow NOW!?
A: My sister, the illustrator, Janet Stevens, rescued a cattle dog named Houdini several year ago. He has herded deer, cats, rugs, chairs, and even his tail. He, too, has never seen a cow.
Q: What makes this book special to you? What important message do you feel it brings to young readers?
A: It’s special because it stars a very funny, unique, real dog named Houdini who always wants to herd things. The book has several messages: sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone to pursue your dreams; dreams are often found when you least expect it; there’s no place like home.
Q: What was your favorite book growing up?
A: A How and Why Book of poetry, nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and fables. It had it all!
Q: What is your favorite memory from childhood?
A: Visiting my grandparents’ ranch in the heart of Texas and playing with my large number of first cousins.
Q: Did you have any pets? If so, which one was your favorite?
A: A big black Great Dane named Beauty. She lived to be fourteen years old—and was a gentle giant.
Q: What inspired you to write and when did you know you would become an author?
A: I loved to write (especially poetry) from the time I was old enough to write! As I grew older, I wrote songs, poems, and skits for friends, family, and school. I won a poetry contest in eighth grade and had my first poem published. Janet (Stevens)and I had always talked about it, but it didn't become a reality until an emergency situation arose in 1997. She was asked to write and illustrate a story for a Harcourt School publication and the deadline was rapidly approaching. She knew what she wanted to draw—she just was stuck on how to word it. I became her voice; and in that week of brainstorming, writing, and rewriting, we discovered that the collaboration was purr-r-r-fect. Her illustrations and my writing are a “fit” because we share the same sense of humor!
Q: If there is one thing you could tell your readers about life, what would you say?
A: Each day that you wake up (and hopefully you do), you have two choices: you can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. choose the good mood, and your optimism will affect not only your life, but the lives of everyone you touch.