Exploring Children’s Literature

Published January 14, 2025

Part 1 – A Chat with Aaron Reynolds

Children’s literature is a genre that is dear to my heart, as I’m sure it is to many of yours. It’s a varied genre, including books, magazines, poems, and stories created especially for children. Modern kid-lit is classified by either genre or the intended age of the reader from picture books to middle grade to young adult and all in between. 

Reading is crucial to child development. It helps children establish values, broaden their vocabulary, deal with life difficulties and emotions, and more. Additionally, reading is a wonderful way to connect with the children in your life, which is what makes children’s literature so faboo. (Yes, you read that correctly. Animaniacs fan, here.) 

I have wonderful memories of my parents and my sister reading me bedtime stories. As an adult, reading my favorites to my kids was fantastic. I was delighted to find new favorites with them: Sir Small and the Dragonfly by Jane O’Connor, Good Night, Good Knight by Shelley Thomas, The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, What Was I Scared of? By Dr. Seuss, and Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds. (There are more, but you get the idea.)  

If you have kids, I probably do not have to tell you that I memorized some of these from the sheer volume of rereads each night when my kids were young. What precious memories to think back on. 

My kids are at an age where they are more into reading Tolkien than picture books, but we do still read them, and I read them on my own for research, to write reviews for fellow authors, and just for fun. 

I have taken several children’s literature classes. I always discover something new in each one: a fresh perspective, a new favorite book, or an author I admire. It’s fascinating and inspiring to learn about each author’s journey and to gain insight into their creative process.

I had the opportunity to interview one of my favorite children’s writers, Aaron Reynolds. He is a #1 New York Times bestselling author who has written over fifty books for children, including Creepy Crayons, Creepy Pair of Underwear, and Creepy Carrots.

Trista: When did you write your first book, and how old were you?

Aaron: I wrote my first story that I hoped would get turned into a book when I was 30. It got rejected, along with many others. It was five long years and 390 rejection letters later that my first book deal that led to publication. The first book was called CHICKS AND SALSA.

Trista: That’s so inspiring. Many writers get discouraged by rejection letters, myself included. I’ve heard it said many times that you need thick skin to be a writer.  As a reader, I’m glad you hung in there. My kids and I  love your books. 

How did you get your book deal?

Aaron: Much rejection and perseverance. After years of submitting and getting rejections, I received a very positive rejection from Bloomsbury Children’s Books. They liked my story, but it needed work. They sent two pages of revision notes and said that if I wanted to revise it, they’d love to look at it again. That revision turned into my first deal.

Trista: What’s your writing journey been like?

Aaron: Slow and steady. The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) was crucial to my journey. Their resources for getting connected with critique groups, conferences, talks by editors and agents, all these helped tremendously in teaching me the ropes of the children’s publishing business.

Trista: Do you have a favorite book that you’ve written? What’s your favorite book from your childhood?

Aaron: It’s always hard to pick my favorite book that I’ve written! It’s like asking me to pick my ugly kid. I’m usually the most excited about the newest things that are coming out. For me, that would be an upcoming CREEPY chapter book series starring Jasper Rabbit as the narrator of some super-creepy stand-alone stories for chapter book readers!

My favorite book from childhood…JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH. No question. It’s so DARK! And I’m here for it.

Trista: You do a lot of school visits. What’s your favorite thing about them? Any tips for a successful school visit?

Aaron: I LOVE visiting schools! Nobody ever tells authors that school visits is part of the job, but it’s become one of my favorite perks. Being in front of the kids on a regular basis informs my writing and my humor SO MUCH.

As far as tips go…play to your strengths. If you’re a tech whiz, involve tech in your presentations. If you are funny, be funny. Also, don’t measure success by how quiet kids are. My presentations are quite rowdy and I like it that way. They are interactive and loud but also have deep moments of quiet and heart. Kids are capable of ALL those moments, so learn how to play into them.

Trista: Is writing a full-time job for you?

Aaron: It is. I’m very lucky.

Trista: That’s great! Do you have a writing routine?

Aaron: Not per se. One of the things I love about my job is the sheer variety. Sometimes, I’m not actively writing a book, I’m in school visit mode. During those two or three months of the year, I really focus on being present for schools and only do some editing and revision in the evenings. Other times I’m in full writing mode and write every day. You have to follow the energy, and find the rhythm that works for you. There’s not one right way to do it.

Trista: What advice would you give a first-time author?

Aaron: The movies make it look like you quit your job and just become an author one day. Nope. Not the way it works. I was working a full-time job while writing at night for my years of trying to get published. Even after I had a good number of books out, I still didn’t think I’d ever be able to make a living at it. The advances are small in the beginning. But I loved it and would have kept doing it on the side regardless. Don’t expect yourself to be this best-selling author right out of the gate. That may never happen. Take each success as it comes and celebrate it for the victory that it is. And then get busy writing your next thing.

Trista: That’s sound advice. Are you in a writers guild and do you attend writer’s conferences?

Aaron: I’m not. But I do attend writer’s conferences whenever I’m asked or when my publisher wants me there. It’s a blast to meet children’s librarians in person. Don’t be fooled by the stereotype. Children’s librarians are a rowdy metal crew! I love them.

Trista: What’s your favorite writing tool?

Aaron: Old school pen and paper. I love to cross stuff out, make boxes around stuff, rearrange text with arrows. My writing journals are a true mess. But this analog method helps me formulate and be messy with my ideas in a way that a computer doesn’t. I always feel like, by the time I get to the computer, it needs to be nice and organized and tidy. I need an era of chaos first!

Trista: Same. I’d be lost without my writing notebook. 

If you could be a Ninja Turtle, which one would you be?

Aaron: Donatello, obviously. The bo-staff is by far the best weapon.

Trista: Excellent choice. I love them all, but my favorite Ninja Turtle is Michaelangelo. He has a great personality. I would have to be April O’Neal, though. She’s not exactly a Ninja Turtle, but they’d be lost without her. And I love interviews. 

 Would you like to share anything about your current work(s)-in-progress? 

Aaron: As I mentioned, fans of my CREEPY books will be happy to know that Jasper will be presenting a whole new series of CREEPY chapter books starting in Fall of 2025. Jasper is not the main character of these stories, he is the NARRATOR. Each of these standalone tales is weird and creepy in all the right ways, and I’m really enjoying them. I won’t say much, but Book #1 involves…Troubling Tonsils.

Trista: How exciting! I know your readers can’t wait. On behalf of PPW and myself, thanks for doing this interview. We appreciate your time and insights and look forward to seeing you at our Writer’s Confernce.  

You can find more about Aaron and his books on his website at www.aaron-reynolds.com.