Hi! My name is Helen Lester and I have written
many fun children's
books,
check them out!
Over the years the children I've met have asked me some wonderful questions. I've chosen a few to create
an imaginary interview with an imaginary kiddo. Here we go.
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Where
do your ideas come from? |
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I
taught elementary school for many years and now all my second
graders have come back to haunt me! Tacky the Penguin, Buddy Rabbit (Listen Buddy), Pinkerton
Pig (Me First), Wodney Wat (Hooway), Princess Penelope (& her
parrot) and Twitchly Fidget (Something Might Happen) --they
were all in my classes. |
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Do
you ever illustrate your books? |
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I
did illustrate Author: A True Story( Houghton, Mifflin, 1997)
and the book explains why I usually work with an illustrator!
The wonderful artist and person Lynn Munsinger, with whom
I've done many books, draws what I would if I could.
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What
is your favorite book that you've written? |
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May
I pick more than one?
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Sure. |
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Thanks,
I guess this would be today's choices:
- Hooway for Wodney Wat for its message;
- Tacky the Penguin for its character; and
- Author, A True Story because it encourages children
to write.
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Do
you have any advice for young writers? |
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Yes,
writing is like doing a maze. I have lots of wonderful ideas.
And lots of un-wonderful ideas. So the trick is to keep trying
to find your way. And the more you exercise your writing
the better you get at solving that maze. |
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Are
there ever any mistakes printed in your books? |
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Yes,
I know of at least two. OK, detectives, look at:
Listen Buddy , p.26, and Author , p. 8 (hint:
this one is in my own handwriting!) Can you find any more? |
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Have
you ever won any awards? |
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Yes,
and I especially treasure the ones that are Children's Choice
Awards. Hooway for Wodney Wat has been the choice of children
in 17 states.
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What
is your latest book? |
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In the Spring of 2022 Bravo Buckethead was published by Simon and Schuster. It's about Mousetta, a fieldmouse who feels so shy she puts a bucket on her head and walks backwards (so she doesn't have to meet anybody). But when some mean foxes invade the fieldmouse field what do you think she will do??? |
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Do
you plan to write any more books? |
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Oh yes, I have about four stories rattling about. My favorite is one I have done with my husband Robin, called
Frog Prints on a Platter. It's so funny it has us falling off our chairs. And if you're in your 80s you shouldn't be falling off chairs!
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Where
do you live? |
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After
living in Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, and Minneapolis,
I've settled in the town of Pawling, NY, in a beautiful area
of woods and hills and animals.
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Do
you have a family? |
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Yes. My husband Robin , who is an educator, historian and novelist (Look for Princes of New York - it's a super read! You can find out more by checking
robinlester.net). We have two sons - Rob and Jamie - two daughters-in-law, Jodi and Danyle, and four grandchildren: Kate, Andrew, River and Elsie. |
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Do
you have any hobbies? |
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I love to knit, read, cook, snowshoe and I currently hike 3 miles a day. My husband and I have also taken up badminton. In the winter we play it in snowshoes which is quite funny. I can beat him if he plays left handed and gives me a 10 point starting advantage.
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Where
can I find more information about you and your books? |
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We
have a list of my children's books here.
You can also try the Harper Collins web site [www.harpercollins.com],
any of the book stores on-line, and you might even try my
name in your search box on the internet (I especially like
to see some of the ways teachers are using my books in the
classroom). |
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Thank
you for answering my questions. |
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It
was a pleasure. Would you like to see my photo
album? Even if you wouldn't like to, here it is! |
