An interview about Boo Bear’s Light: An ABC Rhyming Picture Book for Children with Catherine Ann Russell and The Children’s Book Review.
In this engaging interview, Catherine Ann Russell discusses the creation of her latest picture book, Boo Bear’s Light: An ABC Rhyming Picture Book for Children.
Russell, the author of Boo Bear’s Light, reveals that the story was inspired by a challenge to combine popular elements in children’s books, such as rhyming, ABC lessons, moral teachings, humor, and animal characters, especially bears. She discusses the process of creating the story alongside selecting the words for each letter of the alphabet, as well as the symbolism of Jack the firefly. Russell highlights the key themes of kindness, initiative, and teamwork in problem-solving, which are central to her narrative.
Dr. Jen Harrison: Tell us a little bit about the inspiration for the book. What made you want to create an ABC book?
Catherine Ann Russell (CAR): The inspiration behind Boo Bear’s Light: An ABC Rhyming Picture Book for Children came as a personal challenge I gave myself concerning my next children’s picture book. My goal with Boo Bear’s Light is to creatively combine all popular children’s book elements into one story.
Browsing current children’s picture books on Amazon and looking into what types of children’s picture books will be publishing next year, I determined the following story elements remain popular among children’s picture books:
- Rhythmic rhyming books
- ABC or 123 learning books
- A moralistic, loving and/or whimsical storyline
- Books with humor
- Beautiful, colorful illustrations that can be interactive
- Stories with animals as main characters, especially bears
As you might surmise, what’s popular in a children’s picture book hasn’t changed much over time. These are timeless elements that help babies grow into curious, loving human beings.
What I attempted with Boo Bear’s Light, was to try my hand at combining, to some degree, all these popular elements into one story, an achievement I didn’t run across very often in my research. For instance, popular ABC books don’t often combine rhyme or a moralistic story together in the same book. Similarly, popular children’s picture-book stories that have a loving, moralistic message, may not always rhyme, or be an ABC book.
The jury is still out on whether or not Boo Bear’s Light successfully achieved this difficult undertaking. It may be asking too much to seamlessly pull every element together to the delight of both parents and children. Attempting to combine all elements in one story may backfire in ways that hamper the benefit of any single element. Whether Boo Bear’s Light is well received or not, I must say that it was well worth the puzzle-challenge and an absolute joy to produce!
Which came first, the story or the words you wanted to use to teach each letter of the alphabet?
CAR: This is such a great question! Is it possible to answer they both arrived at the same time? Since I was attempting to weave a whimsical story with Boo Bear and Jack while at the same time following a strict rhythm/rhyme cadence and consecutive letters of the alphabet, the story and words evolved together simultaneously. Case in point, the firefly, Jack, got his name because he was introduced when it was time for the “J” letter of the alphabet and needed to be one syllable!
All this being said, if I had to choose, I guess the inspiration of the bear and the firefly becoming friends, along with a rescue mission, was certainly a desired outcome before words were written. But with so many self-imposed restrictions on word choices, this outcome was never guaranteed until the story was finished.
Why did you choose to make Jack a firefly? Is it an important part of the story that he is so much smaller than Boo?
CAR: Another great question. I chose Jack to be a firefly for several reasons:
First, growing up as a child, I believed fireflies to be absolutely magical and a glory to God to be able to produce light within it’s own tiny body. We would go to a pond in the summer at dusk and watch the fireflies come out. Who can’t be in complete awe of this insect?
Second, I wanted the title of the book, Boo Bear’s Light, be a play on words. The title can be interpreted several different ways:
- Boo Bear’s light is revealed to be the light of a firefly.
- Boo Bear’s light is revealed to be the light of love in Boo’s heart to care for such a small creature.
- Boo Bear’s light is revealed to be the light of friendship between two unlikely creatures, a bear and a firefly, signifying Boo’s enlightenment that all creatures great and small are God’s workmanship and glorifying.
I’m certain there are lots of different interpretations to the meaning of Boo Bear’s Light, depending on who you ask. I delight in a title that can signify many different meanings and emotions.
And yes, it is significant that Jack is tiny compared to Boo Bear. This seems to be a running theme in all my books, picture or Middle Grade. I enjoy writing about characters that become dear friends when, normally, they would otherwise have no inclination or opportunity to become friends. In my Pearls of Wisdom Series books for Tweens, my main characters are a mouse, toad, steed, and owl who are inseparable.
In the story, Boo stops to help Jack even though his mother is getting impatient for him to come down from the tree. Do you think it is essential for readers to take their own initiative sometimes, even if an adult is urging the to do something different?
CAR: What a soul-searching question worthy of reflection! In the correct context, I would say absolutely, yes! God loves a willing heart. Boo see’s an injured insect with compassion. With a Good Samaritan heart, Boo cannot ignore Jack’s trouble. He must help. Even if he might suffer some consequences for his actions. His initiative is spurred on by love, not by a disrespect for his mom.
Thankfully in this story, Mama and Papa Bear are fully on board once they understand the situation and affirm Boo’s intentions. It would be trickier if Mama Bear learned what had happened and still disapproved of Boo Bear for his being late and his idea of rescuing Jack. That’s a plot line for an older book, allowing for greater relational complexities than in a children’s picture book. A children’s picture book is not the venue for a message that it’s okay to disobey your parents for a good cause.
What lesson would you like readers to remember about kindness after reading this story?
CAR: That life on earth glorifies the Creator and is absolutely worthy of our care and attention. The lesson is the golden rule of doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. Love and kindness, along with peace, joy, patience, goodness, gentleness and self-control are powerful attributes of God that dispel darkness. As it says in Scripture, “There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23.
The story’s artwork is lovely. Was it tricky finding ways to hide the letters on each page?
CAR: I’m thrilled to have passed this question along to my illustrator and new friend, Jessica Harkey. This is her response:
Some of the letters were trickier than others to hide, especially the less organic looking letters. B, R and G were the trickiest I would say. I also didn’t want to just hide every letter in the bark of the trees, I thought that would get a bit repetitive. So I came up with hiding them in flowers and mushrooms growing out of the forest floor. My favorite hidden letter is probably the Z, I love that it fits the shape of a slithery snake so naturally.
Although it is Boo who has the initial impulse to help Jack, it is Papa Bear who does most of the hard work. Do you think it is important for kids to work together with adults to solve problems?
CAR: Absolutely, yes. I would also emphasize the other way around. I think it’s important for adults to work together with kids to solve problems. Kids need affirming parents to be role models in their lives so they feel heard, accepted, valued and worthy of their partnership in making life better for others.
What advice do you have for readers struggling to learn their ABCs?
CAR: I guess, simply put, seek out all the ABC books you love, and enjoy them often. Read them with a loving helper. Read them on your own. Read them as cuddle time with mom and dad. If you find the books you really enjoy, you will gravitate towards them time and again. The rest naturally follows. You will learn your ABC’s without noticing you are learning.
What are some other favorite bear stories that you would recommend to readers who have enjoyed Boo Bear’s Light?
CAR:
- Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A.Milne and E.H. Shepard
- Hush Little Polar Bear by Jeff Mack
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Brown Bear and Friends) by Bill Martin, Jr and Eric Carle
- Bear Snores On (The Bear Books) by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
- I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth and Tim Warnes
- God Gave Us You (God Gave Us) by Lisa Town Bergren and Laura J. Bryant
- Corduroy by Don Freeman
What comes next—will we hear more stories about Boo and his family?
CAR: We shall see! I would love to publish another Boo Bear book and start a series of books with the title Boo Bear’s … (fill in the blank). This depends on how well Boo Bear’s Light is received by children (first and foremost), parents, teachers, and literary critics.
Boo Bear’s Light is currently a part of my children’s picture book series of unrelated books: Little Library Treasures along with three of my other children’s picture books: Get to Bed!, Picco and Wren Three, and The Little Book of Why.
But a Boo Bear Series would be a rewarding challenge I would gladly accept should this first book perform well and can financially support future Boo Bear works.
Thank you!
Thank YOU!
About the Book
Boo Bear’s Light: An ABC Rhyming Picture Book for Children
Written by Catherine Ann Russell
Illustrated by Jessica Robin Harkey
Ages: 4-6 | 42 Pages
Publisher: Basketful Relief Project (2024) | ISBN: 9781956693225
Publisher’s Book Summary: Embark On A Wonderful Rhyming Adventure As You Learn the Value of all Living Creatures, Great and Small!
Kindness goes a long way – and when Boo Bear discovers a lost and injured firefly named Jack, he makes it his mission to help his new friend and bring him home to his family. With the help of his supportive parents mama bear and papa bear, Boo Bear embarks on a rescue mission that will light up your day and leave no letter unturned!
Beautifully written by multi-award-winning author Catherine Ann Russell with vibrant illustrations from Jessica Robin Harkey, Boo Bear’s Light shares a heartwarming moral lesson about the transformative power of love, inviting children on an unforgettable journey from A to Z!
Inside the book, you’ll discover:
A Beautiful Rhyming Story that Makes Learning the Alphabet Educational and Entertaining, A Memorable Way to Learn New Rhythms and Words and Expand Your Little One’s Vocabulary, Colorful Illustrations that Ignite Curiosity, Wonder and Spark Your Child’s Imagination as They Hunt for a Hidden Letter in Each Panel, Vital Moral Lessons about the Miracle of Love, Kindness, & Helping Those In Need, A Wonderful Bedtime Story, Classroom Resource, and Teaching Tool For Boys & Girls Ages 0-7, And So Much More…
Ideal for parents & educators who want to raise compassionate children while teaching them essential early learning skills, Boo Bear’s Light will quickly become a treasured part of your bookshelf.
So, vamoose! Kick up the zeal! Dive on in and let the adventure begin!
Buy the Book
About the Author
Catherine (Cat) Ann Russell is a multiple-award-winning children’s book author, entrepreneur, and the founder of the Basketful Relief Project (BRP).
She has published four children’s picture books: Get to Bed!, The Little Book of Why, award-winning Picco and Wren Three, and Boo Bear’s Light: An A B C Rhyming Picture Book for Children. She also writes fantasy-adventure for tweens called The Pearls of Wisdom Series. Books 1-4 of this series are published and include Award-winning and Amazon #1 Best Seller: The Pond of Reflection, award-winning The Hyrax Song, The Zoe-Chai Seed, and award-winning The Last Storyteller.
Catherine founded the Basketful Relief Project in 2019 to help address infant and child famine crises. At least 10% of proceeds from the sale of each book directly support reputable organizations established to distribute food and medicine to children experiencing war, food scarcity, or catastrophe displacement. She is in the process of registering the BRP Books Foundation (private 501c3) to manage these funds.
A multifaceted talent, Catherine started her own digital multimedia company, Spike Productions, after a successful career as a research scientist at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Catherine lives in Lyons, Colorado, with her husband, Ed, and several farm animals, including two burros named Nikki and Norman.
Achievements: In 2022, The Pond of Reflection received a Readers’ Favorite gold medal in the Children’s Adventure Genre and The Hyrax Song an honorable mention. In 2023, The Pond of Reflection received a Readers’ Favorite gold medal in Children’s Audiobook and a silver medal for Picco and Wren Three in the Children’s Fable Genre. In 2024, The Pond of Reflection was a Book Excellence Award Winner in the Pre-Teen Category, and The Last Storyteller received a Readers’ Favorite silver medal in children’s audiobook.
For more information on the Basket Relief Project, visit basketfulreliefproject.com.
About the Illustrator
Jessica Robin Harkey is a children’s book illustrator living in North Carolina who loves to create whimsical and engaging illustrations for children. She is a devoted enthusiast of the wonderful and the mythical, from which she draws inspiration for her illustrations. Her favorite subjects are endlessly curious kids, charismatic animals, and all things nature. When she is not busy illustrating in her studio, Jessica loves spending time outdoors, reading, and with her dogs.
For more information, visit jessicaharkey.com.
This interview—An Interview with Catherine Ann Russell, Author of ‘Boo Bear’s Light: An ABC Rhyming Picture Book for Children’—was conducted between Sally J. Pla and Bianca Schulze.
